Ask Larry: Questions and Answers

Displaying 4931 - 4940 of 10063 questions.

Should I Get A Lawyer?

I started receiving SS survivor benefits in 2014. At the time I was asked on the SS application if I was receiving a government benefit and my response was no. A year in 2015 I became illegible to buy 5 years from the Teacher Retirement System in Texas. Along with the 5 years I had available and the 5 years I bought back I began receiving $800 per month from TRS. I have been getting the SS spousal benefit and the TRS annuity now for since those years. I recently filled out an application to switch to my SS at age 70 (in 3 months) and have been made aware of the WEP/GOP. I . . . Read More

Category: Non-Covered Pension - WEP / GPO
Posted: May 22 2019 - 9:37am

Will My Benefit Amount Ever Increase?

i am currently on both ssi and disability.....i get 770 a month......will this ever increase?

Hi,

Except for Social Security's cost of living increases (COLA), probably not. The formula for computing Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits is essentially just a modified version of the formula used to calculate regular Social Security retirement benefits. That results in SSDI beneficiaries being paid at what is essentially their full retirement age (FRA) benefit rate regardless of their age. And, if a person remains on SSDI until they reach their . . . Read More

Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: May 21 2019 - 2:45pm

Is There A Way I Can Reinvest Money From The Sale Of Property?

Is there a way that I can reinvest money from the sale of a property deeded over to me. I receive only $835.00 a month in ssa and ssi. I am selling the house because I cannot afford the expenses. I already owe my sister several thousand dollars for mortgage payments, taxes and utilities on this house. I can't afford to lose my minimal income.

Hi,

Sale of a home or any other type of property wouldn't affect your Social Security benefits. However, sale of a home in which you live could make you ineligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). That's . . . Read More

Category: Supplemental Security Income
Posted: May 20 2019 - 6:21pm

How Do I Find Out If My Ex Spouse Is Receiving SSDI?

Background: I'm a divorced mother of two young children. My ex spouse is 45 yrs young, doesn't pay any child support, he has a monthly income of $6000 and he doesn't work.
How do I find out if my ex spouse is receiving SSDI?
Thank you.

Hi,

If you just call and ask Social Security if your ex is receiving Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits they'll refuse to tell you due to the privacy act. However, if you have children who could qualify for child's benefits if your ex is receiving SSDI, Social Security should be willing to tell you . . . Read More

Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: May 20 2019 - 6:12pm

How Do We Get Our 2 Months Of Advanced Medicare Premiums Back From CMS?

I, and my wife, started Medicare 'only' before my recently filed benefits for my wife and myself this May. I filed for a restricted application for spousal benefits adjunct to my wife's retirement benefits. When we paid for our Medicare our bills were for the 'future' month; now, starting this May, they have started the deductions this month. How do we get our 2 months of advanced payments back from CMS??

Hi,

Any duplicate Medicare premiums that you paid should be automatically refunded to you. The process of refunding such duplicate premiums can . . . Read More

Category: Medicare
Posted: May 20 2019 - 10:19am

How Does GPO Affect The Amount I Can Collect On My Ex-Spouse's Record?

My ex spouse and I were both born in 1953. He took early retirement and is drawing a pension on which he did not pay social security benefits. He had a few years when he did have earnings under social security. I have paid social security on all my earnings. I used your calculator and was advised to file a restricted application and for ex spouse benefits. I plan to work on. I want to understand GPO and how GPO affects the amount I can collect on his record and how that might change when my ex files for his own and Social Security on my record. I have been to social security 3 . . . Read More

Category: Non-Covered Pension - WEP / GPO
Posted: May 20 2019 - 9:41am

Will My Husband's UN Pension Prevent Him From Receiving Spousal Benefits?

My husband receives a pension from the United Nations Joint Staff Pension fund. He was not a citizen while employed at UN and did not contribute to social security. Is he entitled to claim spousal benefits based on my social security record? We pay taxes on the taxable portion of his UN pension. The local social security office told us that his pension is considered a government pension. I've been reading online that it is considered a foreign pension and therefore he can claim spousal benefits. Who's right?

Hi,

For purposes of the Government Pension . . . Read More

Category: Non-Covered Pension - WEP / GPO
Posted: May 18 2019 - 6:05pm

Will My Granddaughter's Child Be Able To Collect Any Benefits?

My granddaughter is 30 years old and divorced. She now is pregnant expecting in June and the father just committed suicide. They are not married. Will the child be able to collect any benefits. Thanks in advance to your answer

Hi,

Yes, assuming that the child's father worked and paid into Social Security long enough to be insured, his child could then qualify for survivor benefits starting as early as the child's month of birth. And, if your granddaughter was married to and divorced from the deceased father, she may also qualify for surviving . . . Read More

Category: Survivor Benefits
Posted: May 18 2019 - 5:50pm

Isn't Not Allowing Disabled Claimants To File For Early Retirement Benefits At Age 62 Discrimination?

I have been told by numerous SSA trained sources, that disability benefits automatically convert to retirement benefits at full retirement age. And when I ask say, "Non disabled claimants are advised to elect early retirement at age 62, when their higher earning spouse files for early retirement benefits -- thus permanently reducing their retirement benefit".
Isn't disallowing their disabled claimants that same opportunity, demonstrate discrimination against the disabled -- by barring them from early retirement benefits and making them many more years, until full . . . Read More

Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: May 18 2019 - 5:29pm

Why Wouldn't I Be Insured For SSDI If I Have My Full 40 Credits?

Hello Lary and Staff,

I'm a little perplexed on how the Social Security Administration works with work credits and SSDI Disability. I have worked all my life and had injuries at work that makes it hard to function at all. Now that I have gone to an ALJ hearing and been denied, Social Security is saying I don't have enough credits because of being out of work 3 1/2 years from my injuries. This seems shady as in 2009 was my last statement from Social Security and I had my full 40 credits. Now I do not have enough for Disability, please advise and help. Much Appreciated! . . . Read More

Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: May 18 2019 - 9:51am
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