Ask Larry: Questions and Answers

Displaying 5041 - 5050 of 10063 questions.

Is What Social Security Told Us Correct?

I was born in 1952 and my wife was born in June of 1954. We tried to do a restricted application at the SS office this winter and were told yes we could do this but my wife had to file for her benefits in order to go forward. File and suspend was no longer an option supposedly this option expired in 2016? Sorry if this is redundant.

Hi,

Yes, what you were told is essentially correct. Your wife would have to be drawing her benefits in order for you to be able to draw spousal benefits. 'File and suspend' has not been eliminated, but starting with . . . Read More

Category: File and Suspend
Posted: Apr 10 2019 - 10:54am

Am I Correct?

My husband's benefit is 2733 per month. His PIA is about 2297 and his family maximum about 4020. I am 66 and filing for only spousal benefits

My husband has a disabled adult son, who has been disabled since age 7.
After subtracting my husband's PIA, one would assume that his son, and I would each receive 861 per month.

However, I believe that his son, the DAC is dually entitled. In addition to being entitled on his fathers record as an auxiliary, he is entitled as a survivor on his mother's record. His mother died in December of 2017. We believe that she did . . . Read More

Category: Family Benefit Maximum
Posted: Apr 10 2019 - 10:16am

Will My Husband's SS Be Affected By WEP If He Receives A Survivor Pension?

I am working for the state of NH, and I stop contributing to SS because I will get a pension from government. My husband is contributing to SS. I know WEP applies to me, but if my husband is my survivor, and he gets my pension from the state, his SS will be affected by WEP?

Hi,

No. The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) can only cause a person's Social Security retirement or disability benefits to be reduced if they receive a pension based on THEIR OWN earnings that were exempt from Social Security taxes. So, if your husband receives a survivor . . . Read More

Category: Non-Covered Pension - WEP / GPO
Posted: Apr 10 2019 - 10:05am

Can My Wife Take Her Spouse's Benefit When She Turns 62?

I was born 9 march 1951 and my wife was born 16 December 1958. we have been married 30 years. I want to start taking my benefits at 69. My wife will only be 61 years old. Can I take my benefit and then she takes her spouse benefit on 16 December 2020 when she turns 62? Also, do I file on 1 March 2020 or 1 April 2020?

Hi,

Yes, if you're drawing your Social Security retirement benefits then your wife could apply for spousal benefits as early as effective with the first month that she is age 62 for the entire month, which in her case would be January . . . Read More

Category: Filing Options
Posted: Apr 9 2019 - 10:44am

Do The Divorced Spouse Rules Change From Age 62 To Age 66?

Hi,
Six years ago when I first turned 62 I called the SSA to see if I could file for benefits based on my ex-wife’s work record. We were married for more than 10 years and divorced for 17 years. My ex-wife was also 62. I was told that I could not collect benefits. I believe the reason given was that it was because my benefit was greater than hers.
Recently, I submitted an application to begin receiving social security benefits. I was now told that I could receive benefits based on my ex-wife’s work record, and that I could have been receiving benefits since age 66, . . . Read More

Category: Divorced Spousal Benefits
Posted: Apr 9 2019 - 10:16am

Can I Apply For SSI If I'm Getting Social Security?

I'm receiving Social Security benefits but don't know which one I'm 62 I've been receiving benefits for 6 years can I also apply for SSI? I get 775.00 mo.

Hi,

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a needs based benefit for people who are blind, disabled or age 65 or older. If you've been receiving Social Security benefits for the past 6 years and are now age 62, you must be receiving some type of disability benefit. Therefore, you would also be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) if your income and resources are low enough to qualify . . . Read More

Category: Supplemental Security Income
Posted: Apr 9 2019 - 9:58am

Can My Wife Apply For Spousal Benefits?

Hello Larry,
Both my wife and I are over 66 years old.
I am collecting SS benefits (started after FRA)
She is still working full time.
Can she apply for spousal benefits?
Her current FRA benefits are higher than 50% of mine)
Thanks
Americo

Hi Americo,

Yes, since your wife was apparently born prior to January 2 1954 and since she's reached her full retirement age, she could file for spousal benefits only on your record while letting her own benefits grow until age 70. It sounds like your wife should probably . . . Read More

Category: Filing Options
Posted: Apr 9 2019 - 8:25am

How Much Should I Have Deducted From My Benefits?

I will be 66 on May 5th and am scheduled to receive my first benefit check on June 12th .I work as a project manager for a government contractor. I am married, but my wife doesn't work. We have custody of our grandson who is seven. I make $83,200/year gross. So how much should I have deducted from my social security benefit to avoid having to pay next year?

Hi,

I'm sorry, but I'm unable to answer your question. My expertise is limited to Social Security benefits, not income taxes. For more information about taxation of Social Security benefits, . . . Read More

Category: Taxation Of Benefits
Posted: Apr 9 2019 - 8:13am

How Would Filing For Spousal Benefits Affect My Own Benefits At Age 70?

My wife and I just turned 67 in March. Linda has been receiving SS benefits for less than 1 year. I plan to wait to age 70 to draw my SS. If I apply today for spousal benefits, how would that affect my age 70 benefit? I am concerned about losing COLA. Thank you!

Hi,

Filing a restricted application for just spousal benefits won't have any effect on your own Social Security retirement benefits, so it sounds like you should probably file for the spousal benefits immediately. You could have started drawing your spousal benefits as soon as your wife . . . Read More

Category: Filing Options
Posted: Apr 9 2019 - 8:02am

When Should I Receive A Benefits Letter?

I applied for social security benefits February 3 2019, to begin in May 2019. It is currently April 7 2019 . On My Social Security account it says my application is being processed. When should I receive a benefits letter? I have heard nothing from social security other than what I described. Thank You.

Hi,

Processing times for Social Security claims vary greatly depending on the type of benefit and various technical issues involved. If you filed for Social Security retirement benefits I would expect that you'll receive a letter fairly soon, but . . . Read More

Category: Filing For Benefits
Posted: Apr 8 2019 - 9:28am
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