How Long Past FRA Can You Wait To File A Restricted Application For Spousal Benefits?
Hi Larry. Thanks for so much excellent information. Everyone asks about when, meaning for the most part how soon, they can file a restricted application for spousal benefits. How long past FRA can you wait? I am born before January 1, 1954 and will be at FRA in September, 2019. My wife was born two months before me making her FRA in July of 2019. Neither of us have filed for SS benefits as yet. How long after our birth months can we wait to file for full benefits for one of us and spousal benefits for the other. My wife's benefits may be slighter higher than mine at FRA but . . . Read More
Category: Filing Strategies
Posted: May 13 2019 - 3:35pm
How Do I Go About Filing For WIdow's Benefits Without Touching My Benefits Until Age 70?
Hi Larry, I purchased your program last year and haven’t done a thing with it. I went to the social security office and became very confused and disappointed because I was told totally different from what I read in your book. I am 61 soon to be 62 in August. I thought I was going to get a job but no such luck. My current monthly income is $1300 my expenses $3500. Very sad to say I’m sinking fast. I was told by Social Security personnel I would be entitled to $1800 from husbands benefits. However when I went to talk to Social Security they kept talking about my benefits, which . . . Read More
Category: Filing For Benefits
Posted: May 13 2019 - 3:02pm
Can I Claim A Spousal Benefit Now And Switch To My Own Record At FRA?
My wife claimed her benefit at age 62. She is now 67 and I'm 64, still working full time. I plan to claim my benefit at my FRA of 66 and 2 months. My question is, can I claim a spousal benefit now from my wife's SSA record, and then switch to my own record at FRA?
Hi,
No, since you were born after January 1 1954 you would be deemed to be filing for your own Social Security retirement benefits when and if you apply for spousal benefits. You would then be paid only essentially the higher of those two benefit rates, and your benefit amount would be . . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: May 13 2019 - 11:49am
How Would Moving To Malaysia Affect My Wife's Social Security?
I'm a natural born citizen, married for 25 years. My wife, who is a legal permanent resident of the U.S. for 25 years, recently retired from her job. She held that job for 20 years. She has made a good salary, earning over 6 figures for 10 of those years. She has, of course, paid into Social Security the entire time. We now plan to move abroad (Malaysia) for our retirement. We were wondering how that could affect her Social Security? I have read conflicting information and heard conflicting anecdotes. Some people say it will end after 6 months, others that she meets criteria to . . . Read More
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: May 13 2019 - 11:34am
Will My Benefits Continue After My Daughter Turns 18?
Hi,
My husband died in 2007, our daughter was only 10 months old; I was 33 years old. Since then my daughter and I have been receiving Social Security Benefits. From what I understand, she will stop receiving benefits when she turns 18. I have a few questions:
1. Will I continue to receive my portion of SS benefits after she turns 18?
2. Will her benefits get redistributed to me or do they simply stop?
Many Thanks for having this forum!
Hi,
I'm sorry for your loss.
Your Social Security mother's benefits will stop when . . . Read More
Category: Survivor Benefits
Posted: May 13 2019 - 11:19am
Will Dividends And Interest From Stocks & Mutual Funds Negatively Impact My SS Benefits?
I understand if I continue to work past 62 y/o, the employment income will negatively impact my monthly social security benefit. Will dividends and interest from stocks and mutual funds negatively impact my S.S. benefit? Also, should I delay 401K withdrawels as long as possible? Thanks! RLG
Hi RLG,
No, the only type of income that counts for purposes of the Social Security earnings test is earnings from either gross wages or net earnings from self-employment (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/ . . . Read More
Category: Earnings Test
Posted: May 13 2019 - 11:08am
Do I Have To Wait Until My Birthdate To Apply?
My husband passed away 9/11/2018. I turn 60 on Aug. 6th. I understand I can apply for widows benefits when I turn 60 years old. My questions: Do I have to wait until by birthdate to start paperwork? Am I entitled to his full amount or a percentage? What paperwork exactly do I need to present?
Thank you
Hi,
I'm sorry for your loss.
You can file Social Security applications up to 4 months in advance of the month that you want to claim benefits, so you could file now if you want to claim widow's benefits at age 60. However, if you start . . . Read More
Category: Widow's Benefits
Posted: May 12 2019 - 10:14am
Shouldn't I Get More Back Pay?
I received a one time payment from ssi I fill out application on 06/2016 and got a fully favorable letter I thought I would get back pay for when they found me disable 06/2016 got approved on 03/24/2019 so the only gave me 3 months one time payment have not got a award letter yet.
Hi,
I'm sorry, but I don't have nearly enough information to be able to analyze your case. It sounds like you filed for either Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits and your claim was initially disallowed but has now been approved . . . Read More
Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: May 11 2019 - 11:45am
WIll Social Security Start My Husband's Benefits Automatically At Age 70, Or Does He Need To Do Something?
Hi -- My 69 year old husband filed and suspended and I started collecting half of his benefits when I turned 66. He will be 70 on July 31. Our question is, does he have to notify the Social Security office or will his benefits begin automatically at age 70? Is there anything specific he needs to do? Thank you!
Hi,
Since your husband has already applied for his benefits, Social Security should automatically reinstate his benefits effective with the month he reaches age 70 with no action on his part being necessary. If you're not sure that Social . . . Read More
Category: Suspending Retirement Benefits
Posted: May 10 2019 - 4:25pm
How Should I Proceed To Use MMSS?
spouse started receiving early retirement social security. was living with me. i am disabled and last month was awarded disability for 2 yrs then reevaluate. husband has since left (abandoned ) before disability judgement. no official separation paperwork in place. how should i proceed to MMSS?
Hi,
I would need a lot of additional information to be able to advise you properly. I assume you mean that you've been awarded Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits, but you don't mention your age or the benefit amounts that you and your husband receive, . . . Read More
Category: Maximize My Social Security Software
Posted: May 10 2019 - 4:11pm
