What Am I Supposed To Do With My Granddaughters' Benefits?
I am retired and we have adopted our two granddaughters. I am receiving social security for myself and both my granddaughters. I don't understand why I am receiving their social security also and how I am supposed to use it. Am I supposed to give it to them, save it for them or use it to help raise them? My granddaughter thinks they should get it to spend or save however they want. She doesn't think we should use any of it for monthly expenses, etc. Your help would be appreciated.
Hi,
If you've been appointed by Social Security as the representative . . . Read More
Category: Representative Payee
Posted: Apr 29 2019 - 10:01am
Will My SS Be Reduced If I Receive Any Of My Husband's Pension?
I receive ss from the public sector. My husband worked both public and private sectors. He receives reduced ss and a fireman's pension. I will receive 40% of his pension. Will my ss be reduced if I receive any of his pension?
Hi,
No. Receipt of a spousal or survivor benefit from a pension program that's based on your spouse's work and earnings would have no effect on your Social Security benefits.
Best, Jerry
Category: Non-Covered Pension - WEP / GPO
Posted: Apr 29 2019 - 9:57am
What If I Retire At Age 56?
I want to retire at my age now which is 56 and work part time only.
Hi,
That's up to you, but you couldn't qualify for any Social Security benefits at your age unless you're disabled. You may want to consider using our software to determine what effect shifting to part-time earnings will have on your future Social Security benefit rate.
Best, Jerry
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Apr 29 2019 - 9:53am
Can I Be Called A Common-Law Wife And Get Spousal Benefits?
I started living with this guy since April 2008 up to Aug 2018. And he wants me to stop in coming to his house if he is upset on me without any reason. And come to him on Oct and Nov on the same year Do i have the right to be called his coming law wife andcan i get a spousal benifits from him?
Hi,
If you've always lived together in California, then you probably wouldn't qualify as a common-law spouse. Social Security recognizes state laws when deciding whether or not a person legally qualifies as a spouse, and California doesn't recognize common-law . . . Read More
Category: Spousal Benefits
Posted: Apr 29 2019 - 9:36am
Can I Get Spousal Benefits On My Wife's Record?
I'm trying to see if I qualify for spousal report off my wife record I was getting SSI at age of 57 When I Became 62 I switch over to Reduced Retirement Benefits My Wife Just Started To Get Social Security At Age Of 62 She Worked Longer Then I Did and Made more money Too How Do I Get Spousal Benefits Off Her Record And Who Will Be Able To Calulate That For Me To See Will That Be Benefiscal For Me I'm Not Sure Of Her Social Security Reduced Benefits I Went From 778 SSI To 927 Social Security
Hi,
You wouldn't be eligible for spousal benefits unless your . . . Read More
Category: Spousal Benefits
Posted: Apr 28 2019 - 7:57am
What Should I Do If I'm Apprarently Being Paid Too Much?
I recently turned 70 and March 2019 was my first month to draw on my earnings...For some reason I received my social security which was 1391...with a 135.50 Medicare deducted from it and also a 75.10 deduction for taxes.. so my payment came to 1168.10. They also sent me a payment of 997.90 which is what I have been receiving as a spousal benefit. I am confused about still receiving the spousal benefit I thought when I started drawing on my own at 70 I would not receive the 997.
I have looked at what I will receive for my May payment and it is the same...1168.10 plus 997? . . . Read More
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Apr 28 2019 - 7:36am
Is Social Security Correct That I Can't Switch To Spousal Benefits?
I am 10 months older than my wife. Her SS benefits are larger than mine, so I filed for retirement at full retirement age, and she began receiving spousal benefits. Last November at the age of 70 when she filed for benefits on her own account, I planned to change to spousal benefits on her account. But we were told by the SS representative that I could not. My increase would have been over $100/month. Is what the SS rep told me correct? Thank you.
Hi,
You couldn't change from drawing your retirement benefits to drawing just spousal benefits, but you . . . Read More
Category: Spousal Benefits
Posted: Apr 26 2019 - 4:20pm
Do I Have To Pay Back My Spousal Benefits When I File For My Own Benefits?
I turn 66 in December and still working. My husband is going to be 62 but is disabled with MS for years. If I file a restricted application and take half of my husband's Social Security, what happens if at say age 68 I want to fully retire and use my earnings instead, what happens at that point? Do I have to pay that money back?
Hi,
No, you wouldn't have to pay back any of the spousal benefits you receive prior to when you start drawing your own retirement benefits. Assuming that your own retirement rate is higher than your spousal rate, you would . . . Read More
Category: Filing Strategies
Posted: Apr 26 2019 - 3:52pm
Would My Wife Automatically Start Receiving Spousal Benefits At Her Full Retirement Age Even If I Haven't Filed?
Assume my wife starts her Social Security worker's benefit at 62 and I being 2 years older defer starting my worker's benefit until age 70. Would my wife automatically receive her spousal benefit from my worker's benefit when she reaches her full retirement age at 66 years and 4 months even though I still have NOT filed?
The logic should be since this would be the most she can earn, Social Security should start paying her even though I have not filed for benefits yet.
Thank you
Hi,
No. You must be drawing your benefits in order for . . . Read More
Category: Spousal Benefits
Posted: Apr 26 2019 - 11:15am
Is There Any Way Now For My Mother To Draw Survivor Benefits Without Drawing Her Own Benefits?
I've recently been helping my mom plan her retirement and collect Social Security. She just stopped working last month, and turns 65 in one week. She automatically received her Medicaid card in the mail, which made me raise an eyebrow, as you have to apply for that.
It turns out, when she was 62, she wanted to apply for Surviving Spouse benefit from my deceased father. She called Social Security, and was told by a representative that she should apply as soon as possible, despite her high income at the time.
She was instructed that she would have to apply for her own . . . Read More
Category: Withdrawing a Benefit Application
Posted: Apr 26 2019 - 10:35am
