Can I Apply For SSDI?
I developed degenerative disease in my basil thumb joints in the years following 2010. In 2016, I was moved from my previous position to a new location due to needing some ADA accommodations from a head injury that occur before I was employed at the facility and also to relieve some of the pain I was having in my hands at work. Both myself and my union rep understood this to be a permanent move and job change, but the real "job" never really came about. In 2017 I had a trapeziectomy and ligament relocation done on my left thumb (CMC joint) . After this, I applied for workman's . . . Read More
Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: May 17 2019 - 10:39am
Was My Brother Misinformed?
My question is about filing a restricted application. My 67 year old brother (5/1/1952), currently employed, went to the social security office to file for spousal benefits on his wife's record. She is 72, retired, and has been collecting since reaching FRA. He was told that he was not eligible for spousal benefits because he earns more than $70,000 per year. I have not read anything about an income cap for spouses. Is this new or was someone misinformed? If they were misinformed, is there a specific rule to which he could point?
Thank you!
Hi,
. . . Read More
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: May 17 2019 - 10:24am
Will I Receive A Reduced Widow's Benefit If I File At Age 60 But Don't Receive Benefits Until FRA Due To My Earnings?
RE: Benefits not paid due to earning over the limit.
I am a little confused as to what happens if social security benefits are withheld if we are still working and earn over the limit. Here is my scenario: My benefit rate is much higher than what my deceased spouse was collecting in disability. If I file for widow's benefits on their record when I reach 60, and none of the benefits are paid because I earn over the yearly limit, what will happen when I reach my full retirement age (67 years old). Will I receive a reduced amount because I filed at age 60? Or, since nothing . . . Read More
Category: Widow's Benefits
Posted:
Could A Widow Receive More Than 82.5% Of Their Deceased Spouse's PIA If The Deceased Was Receiving 93% Of Their PIA?
Hi Larry! I have a detailed question regarding widow benefits in scenarios where the deceased spouse filed for social security benefits before their Full Retirement Age. I am familiar with RIB-LIM. I understand that the surviving spouse could receive up to 82.5% of deceased PIA or the amount that the deceased was receiving when they passed away, whichever is higher. So here is my question. What if the deceased spouse filed about 12 months before their FRA, before passing away. In other words, the deceased spouse was receiving MORE than 82.5% of their PIA, they were receiving . . . Read More
Category: Widow's Benefits
Posted: May 16 2019 - 6:14pm
Can My Wife Collect Spousal Benefits Without It Affecting My Social Security Payments?
I am 58 and still working. My spouse is 63 and never paid into SS. Can she collect Social Security (Spouse benefit) and not have it effect my Social Security payment? Also, I'm retired from the Military and collect retirement payment, will that have and effect on my SS benefit?
Hi,
Yes, if your wife qualifies for spousal benefits it will have no effect on your benefit rate. Your wife can't qualify for spousal benefits until you start drawing your benefits, though. Your military retirement payments won't have any effect on your Social Security . . . Read More
Category: Spousal Benefits
Posted: May 16 2019 - 6:08pm
Does Having A CSRS Pension Affect My Eligibility To File A Restricted Application For Spousal Benefits?
Does having a Federal CSRS retirement pension and being subject to WEP affect my eligibility to file a restricted application for spousal benefits?
Hi,
No, but any spousal benefits for which you otherwise qualify would likely be offset by 2/3rds of the gross amount of your Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) pension. That type of offset is caused by the Government Pension Offset (GPO) provision. For more information about GPO and it's exceptions, refer to the following Social Security publication: . . . Read More
Category: Non-Covered Pension - WEP / GPO
Posted: May 16 2019 - 9:46am
Can I Receive A Railroad Spouse's Benefit Now?
My husband is drawing railroad retirement. I am 62 and will receive Teacher retirement at 65 or later. Can i review a spouse Railroad check now and not interfere with my TRS check when i decide to retire?
Hi,
My expertise is limited to Social Security benefits, so I'm unable to answer your question. You'll probably want to check with a representative of the Railroad Retirement Board (https://www.rrb.gov/ContactUs).
Best, Jerry
Category: Railroad Retirement Benefits
Posted: May 15 2019 - 4:23pm
At What Point Would I Be Able To Collect Benefits?
Hi Larry - I'm 62 years old - born in 1957, but husband died in 2011 at the age of 56 (he was born in 1955) I work full time and make more than $80,000. At what point would I be able to collect his/my social security ?
Hi,
I'm sorry for your loss.
Your annual earnings in excess of $80,000 would likely prevent you from receiving benefits prior to the year you reach your full retirement age (FRA), but it really depends on your potential benefit rates as well as what the exempt amount of earnings is set at under Social Security's earnings test in . . . Read More
Category: Earnings Test
Posted: May 15 2019 - 4:00pm
How Would My Future Spousal Benefit Be Calculated If I Take My Retirement Benefits Now?
I was born in 1955. I know I am under the new law deeming that I apply for all my benefits. But I am unclear about my spousal benefits if I take my retirement now and my spouse is still working. My spousal benefit would be higher than my retirement benefit. Thank you
Hi,
If you file for your Social Security retirement benefits before you're first eligible for spousal benefits you will be deemed to have filed for spousal benefits effective with your spouse's initial month of entitlement to either Social Security retirement or disability benefits. Any . . . Read More
Category: Filing Strategies
Posted: May 14 2019 - 11:54am
Can I Collect Unemployment?
My job (rif) is going away the end of June. I am 74 years old collect social security as well as my income in order to continue to pay for my house and bills. Can I collect unemployment? I do have a PERS 2 retirement plan and currently collect $1424 each month. I've been working since I was 18 took about 6 years to have kids and then went back to work part time when they went to school. I am divorced and live along(except for my cat) and I'm worried about my small savings and retirement if my social security is reduced. Can I collect unemployment? Thanks for your response. GG . . . Read More
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: May 14 2019 - 11:51am
