Ask Larry: Questions and Answers

Displaying 541 - 550 of 10063 questions.

What Does Social Security Mean By Exceptions To Deemed Filing For Disability And Survivor Benefits?

In response to your answer that I cannot delay my own retirement benefits while collecting my widows benefits by switching from my SSD to full widows benefits at FRA…
What does social security mean by exceptions to deemed filing for disability and survivor benefits?
“Deemed filing also does not apply if you receive spouse's benefits and are entitled to disability”
It appeared to me that this was a loophole for SSD recipients to convert at FRA??

Hi. People are allowed to apply just for Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits without . . . Read More

Category: Deeming
Posted: Nov 2 2022 - 8:55pm

What Are The Logistics For Calculating Susan's Benefit?

Hi - could you please help me with the following, Paul FRA 67, PIA $2,600/month, Susan FRA 67, PIA $1,000. They both intend on filing ASAP when eligible at age 62. The reductions are 30% for Paul, and some combination 30% for Susan for filing early on her own benefit and 35% for spousal Paul's. She would be eligible for $1,300 at her FRA. Reduction for Paul is straightforward, what are the logistics for calculating Susan's benefit? Thank you

Hi. Assuming Susan's spouse is collecting his benefits when she files at age 62, Susan would be eligible for her own . . . Read More

Category: Benefit Amount
Posted: Nov 2 2022 - 6:04pm

Can I Draw Just Widow's Benefits Starting At FRA And Delay My Retirement Benefits Until Age 70?

I was collecting SSD more than 6 years when my husband passed and I’m now collecting both my SSD and my reduced widow benefit.
I know at FRA the reduction is removed from the widow benefit. According to the SocSec website at FRA you can delay your own benefits until age 70 to earn the delayed credits and collect just the widow benefit until age 70.
My question is do I qualify for this because I’m already collecting my own SSD on my record and a reduced widow benefit on my deceased husbands record?? I am 65 now and trying to prepare financially for when I turn 66.8 . . . Read More

Category: Filing Options
Posted: Nov 2 2022 - 2:57pm

What Are My Options?

My husband, age 56, just passed away in October. He had applied and was approved for disability ,ssdi, due to stage 4 cancer. He was to receive his first check in December for November. I am 61 years old and need to know what I am entitled to. I am still working , God willing til I'm 67 to be able to get retirement health benefits. I am a teacher's aide in the local school system and don't make much money. We were counting on his ssdi in order to be able to continue to stay in our home. I have not found social security to be very helpful in providing info. What are my options? . . . Read More

Category: Filing Options
Posted: Nov 2 2022 - 2:45pm

Do I Have Any Recourse?

Husband was collecting early SS payouts due to parental eligibility. Those children have aged out of the program.
Husband died when I was 62 and he was 82. Notified SS of death and was informed that that I was eligible for 100% of husband benefits and the agent had me sign up. The payouts did not match my husband's. I called and questioned the payouts. I was informed once again I was eligible for 100% of his benefits. The math did not add up to me and I went to SS office to be told that I waited too long to stop the payouts and basically, I am stuck being underpaid. I am . . . Read More

Category: Widow's Benefits
Posted: Nov 2 2022 - 1:53pm

Is It Correct That Spousal Benefits Are 50% Of The Amount I Would Have Received At Age 66?

I retired at 67 and received the 8% increase in my benefits. I was under the impression that spousal benefits would be 50% of this amount. SSA has informed me that is incorrect. Spousal benefits are 50% of the amount I would have received if I began taking my benefits at 66. Is this correct?

Hi. Yes. Unreduced spousal benefits are calculated based on 50% of the worker's primary insurance amount (PIA), and the PIA is the amount the worker would receive if they start drawing benefits at full retirement age (FRA). However, if you die before your spouse, they . . . Read More

Category: Spousal Benefits
Posted: Nov 1 2022 - 5:26pm

Is My Husband Correct About The COLA?

Hi, I turned 62 in 2022 and started collecting ss . My huband says I wont get the cola I 2023. Is he correct?
Thank you !

Hi. No. Everyone born prior to January 2 1961 will have the upcoming 8.7% cost of living (COLA) increase added to their Social Security retirement benefit rate regardless of whether or not they are drawing benefits. So, if you turned 62 in 2020 then you will receive the COLA.

Best, Jerry

Category: Cost Of Living Increases
Posted: Oct 31 2022 - 4:51pm

Do I Have To Wait Until My Husband Retires And Draws Benefits To Get Spousal Benefits?

If I am almost two years younger than my husband, and I don't have enough credits for social security paid in, can I still get spousal benefits even if he hasn't started to draw on his own or retired yet? Do I have to wait until he retires and draws his before I am allowed to draw on his? Thank you

Hi. Yes. You can't qualify for spousal benefits on the account of a current spouse unless your spouse is drawing their Social Security retirement or disability benefits (https://www. . . . Read More

Category: Spousal Benefits
Posted: Oct 31 2022 - 11:08am

What Do I Put On Form SSA-795?

I am apply for Social Security and they have asked me to fill out form SSA 795. I am not sure what to put int the box titled "Understanding that this statement is for the us of the Social Security Administration, I hereby certify that: " What do I put there? Thanks.

Hi. I have no idea. Form SSA-795 is basically just a blank form that can be used for many different purposes. Form SSA-795 isn't normally required as part of the application process. If Social Security mailed you the form it could either be a mistake, or Social Security may have sent you the . . . Read More

Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Oct 31 2022 - 10:34am

Could My Wife And I Be Over The Family Limit If I Wait Until Age 70 To Claim Benefits?

I purchased your Maximize plan approximately a year and a half ago. I ran many scenarios and decided to follow the suggested Maximize Plan to delay collecting SS until I am 70 and my wife will be 65. She does not have her own history. My PIA is about $3100 and my SS at 70 is projected to be about $4100. I just read a SS provision regarding Maximum Family Benefit when using only one spouse's benefit. I am curious and concerned that we would be over that Family limit at age 70 when we both start collecting my SS and her spousal benefit. My question is there a chance that I would . . . Read More

Category: Family Benefit Maximum
Posted: Oct 30 2022 - 2:18pm
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