Is The Fact That My Sister-In-Law's Employment Lasted For More Than 6 Months Automatically Disqualifying?
Hi Jerry,
Fantastic reply to an earlier question I asked regarding my 54 yo sister-in-law who is applying for SSDI/DCA as a result of her IDD condition. The links you provided were very helpful. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!!!
Just one follow-up question. I do believe I have sufficient evidence to make a very strong argument that the only reason my sister-in-law's work could have met the SGA standard for success for the few years that it did, was through special conditions. NOTE: we are talking 25-30 years ago where her highest year of earnings was in 1986 . . . Read More
Category: Disabled Adult Child Benefits
Posted: May 2 2019 - 9:48pm
What Should I Do If Social Security Says That I'm Overpaid?
Hello
I receive SSDI. I received a letter stating that I received over payment due to gainful and substantial work activity for July 2017 to June 2018. I added my pay stubs for this period. My total income was 12, 446. The letter I received states that I owe social security $ 9,117. My income during this period was below the threshold. What should I do? Furthermore, when someone does go over the income limit, do they have to pay back social security funds for the year? Even if they go over the limit by a small amount. ( for example $800.)
Thank you for your time . . . Read More
Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: May 1 2019 - 6:01pm
Can I Collect Spousal Benefits Before My Husband Turns 62?
I am currently 65 yrs old. I began collecting my own SS at 62 yrs. old. My husband just turned 60. He has a pension and will be forced to begin collecting SS at age of 62. Can/should I collect spousal benefit until he turns 62. Also, is it retroactive for years I already have been collecting?
Hi,
You couldn't qualify for Social Security spousal benefits at least until your husband starts drawing his benefits, and even then you'll only be eligible if 50% of your husband's primary insurance amount (PIA) is more than your PIA. A person's PIA is the . . . Read More
Category: Spousal Benefits
Posted: May 1 2019 - 5:47pm
Why Is My Husband's Ex-Wife Getting His Benefits And I'm Not?
I was married in 1982 to husband who just passed away in march 2019. He was living in a nursing home, and when i turned 65 last year, i received medicare from his work record. I was also listed as "community spouse" thru the state system as I had no income of my own, therefore receiving his soc sec check each month to pay bills. Ive got a printed summary from ss office telling me i will be receiving widow/survivor benefits. But ive got no letter. My husbands EX wife got a letter and a condolensce message of her 'husband passing" they were div for 40 yrs and yes she was married . . . Read More
Category: Widow's Benefits
Posted: Apr 30 2019 - 8:30pm
Would A Letter From A Former Employer Be Considered In Deciding SGA?
My 54 YO Intellectually or Developmental (IDD) sister-in-law came to live with us in 2017, after her mother could no longer care for her. Parents (for whatever reason) never applied for any type of benefit and she has never received Gov assistance of any kind. We recently tried to qualify her for SSDI, as a (DAC) applicant. Although we have not yet received a denial in writing, we were told by the SSA agent that she will be denied, because of a few years of (SGA) that occurred 25-30 years ago (after age 22.) Because of the SGA technicality, the interviewer said he was unable to . . . Read More
Category: Disabled Adult Child Benefits
Posted: Apr 30 2019 - 4:35pm
Why Am I Not Getting As Much As I Was Told?
My ex-husband passed away in 2/2019. He was collecting his SS of $2,180.60. The representive informed me that I could collect $2,180.60 once I turned 66 in 10/2019 because I'm now 65 years old I could Now collect $2,120.10 NOW. it would be my choice. I choose to take the $2,120.10 now. Within a week later they placed over $2,000. in my bank account. The next week I received a letter indicating that I would only receive $1,798. I feel they are cheating me. What can I do about this? 1. What happen is me getting 100% since we were married over 10 years? 2. What happen to the $2, . . . Read More
Category: Divorced Widow(er) Benefits
Posted: Apr 30 2019 - 3:04pm
Will My Wife's Widow's Rate Be Calculated Including All Of The COLAs I Received?
Larry, Question is on RIB-LIM, my PIA is 35,000 at age 67. I am currently 62 and plan on taking Social Security at age 62 which will pay me a reduced benefit of 70%, so I would receive 24,500. My wife does not have enough years of service to qualify for her own social security (she will get a pension - which will be another question related to GPO another day when you answer this one). If I die at age 80, will my wife receive survivor beneifits at 82.5% of my PIA(including all the COLAs from age 63 to 80 which i will peg at 1%) so the Future Value of my PIA for 18 years at 1 . . . Read More
Category: Widow's Benefits
Posted: Apr 30 2019 - 10:24am
Will I Lose My Benefits If I Become A Dual Citizen?
Larry,
I am considering applying for dual citizenship with another country. I receive SSDI and have Medicare. Will I lose my benefits if I become a dual citizen? Thank you for your help!
Hi,
No, as long as you retain your U.S. citizenship a dual citizenship would not adversely affect your benefits.
Best, Jerry
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Apr 29 2019 - 2:37pm
Do Spousal Benefits Increase With COLAs?
Hello:
My wife will be taking spousal benefits off of my record since she does not qualify on her own. My questions is, do spousal benefits increase with the annual COLA (if any) as my benefits will? Thank you!!!
Hi,
Yes, Social Security cost of living increases (COLA) apply to spousal benefits the same as all other Social Security benefits.
Best, Jerry
Category: Cost Of Living Increases
Posted: Apr 29 2019 - 10:36am
Can I Start Collecting My Late Husband's SS Now At Age 64?
I'm 64 years old and still working. Can I start collecting on my late husbands SS now?
Hi,
That probably depends on how much you're earning. If you file for benefits in 2019 at age 64, Social Security would withhold $1 of any Social Security benefits to which you're entitled for each $2 that you earn in excess of $17,640 this year. That could mean withholding all of your benefits or only part of your benefits depending on the amount of your earnings and your monthly benefit rate.
It sounds like your best strategy for claiming benefits would . . . Read More
Category: Widow's Benefits
Posted: Apr 29 2019 - 10:12am
