As A Widow Am I Eligible For Any Type Of Benefit Under My Husband's Credits?
Hello, my husband (age 67 and 6 months) recently passed away (2 months ago) and he had started receiving his SS at his FRA (born 1955). I had planned to not apply for my SS benefit until age 70 (my birth year is 1955) as my benefit will be larger so we wanted to allow it to grow. As a widow not receiving my own benefit am I eligible for any type of benefit under my husband's credits? Thank you
Hi. I'm sorry for your loss. Yes, it sounds as though you'd likely qualify for widow's benefits. If your husband's full benefit rate was lower than your own benefit . . . Read More
Category: Widow's Benefits
Posted: Aug 17 2022 - 1:37pm
When My Oldest Son Stops Getting Child Benefits What Will Happen To His Portion Of The Benefits?
Both my children receive social security benefits from my retirement. They are the only 2 sons that to receive his benefits . My question is This… When one of my sons turns 18 what will happen to his portion of the benefits? Will the funds be redistributed to my son?
Hi. The answer to your question depends on the amounts of your primary insurance amount (PIA) and family maximum benefit (FMB). A person's PIA is equal to their Social Security retirement benefit rate if they start drawing their benefits at full retirement age (FRA). Children eligible for . . . Read More
Category: Child Benefits
Posted: Aug 17 2022 - 11:41am
Can My Wife Claim Spousal Benefits When I Apply For My Benefits And Then Switch To Her Own Benefits At Age 70?
I am 67 years 2 months old and my spouse is 66 years 4 months old (FRA). We each have our own SS benefits from our work record. If I retire 5 months from now, can my spouse obtain spousal benefits from my work record at that same time, then switch to her own delayed benefits when she turns 70 years old?
Hi. No. Only people who were born prior to January 2 1954 are allowed to apply for spousal benefits without being required to apply for their own Social Security retirement benefits at the same time ( . . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: Aug 16 2022 - 5:00pm
How Far In Advance Can I Apply For Benefits And When Will I Receive My First Payment?
Hi Larry,
I will turn full retirement age of 66 and 4 months on February 25, 2023. How far in advance can I apply for social security benefits? When will I receive my first social security benefit check?
Thanks, Sherry
Hi Sherry. You can apply for benefits up to 4 months prior to the month you want to claim your benefits, and your first payment would be due in the month after the month you choose to start your benefits. For example, if you want your benefits to start effective with February 2023, you could apply as early as October 1 2022. . . . Read More
Category: Filing For Benefits
Posted: Aug 16 2022 - 4:48pm
Does It Hurt Me In Any Way To Apply For Regular Social Security While Waiting For SSDI?
I am currently 62 years & 8 months old. I am going to apply for SSDI but, if approved, that benefit will not start for at least 6 months. Does it hurt me in any way to also apply for regular Social Security now so that I have income while waiting for SSDI?
Hi. If you collect Social Security retirement benefits for any months before your first month of entitlement to Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits, you'll be stuck with a permanent reduction in your benefit rate for those months even after you start collecting SSDI benefits. Unreduced SSDI . . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: Aug 16 2022 - 4:05pm
Is There A Process To Appeal?
I receive retirement benefits from the public employees system. Two years ago when my wife passed, I applied for social security survivors benefits. I was told that due to the windfall criteria I could not receive any portion through her benefit. Due to mounting healthcare costs, I surely could use those funds. Is there a process to appeal? Do you know of any procedures that I can pursue? Thanks
Hi. Social Security has an appeals process, but you must normally request an appeal within 60 days of the determination you're appealing ( . . . Read More
Category: Filing An Appeal
Posted: Aug 16 2022 - 3:28pm
If I Marry Again Will My New Wife Be Eligible For Widow's Benefits Upon My Death?
I am 69 , waiting for 70 to claim social security. I was married for 40 years, divorced 7 years ago, my ex (she never worked outside of home) has been receiving SS since she reached 62.
I am planning to marry again, my fiancé is 62 . If I were to die sooner rather than latter will she be eligible to collect SS as a widow (my benefits will be significantly higher than hers)
If yes how long after the marriage is she eligible ?
Hi. Yes, your new wife could potentially qualify for widow's benefits in the event of your death even if your former . . . Read More
Category: Widow's Benefits
Posted: Aug 16 2022 - 1:20pm
Is Mary Has A Disabled Child In Her Care Can She Get Survivor Benefits From Her Deceased Ex-Spouse?
Situation: Mary was married to spouse for 7 years before getting divorce. During their marriage they had a disabled child. After the divorce, Mary continues to care for the disabled child (who is now 18 years old and collecting SSI). After the divorce, the spouse dies (2016). Mary is now 56 years old.
My questions are - can Mary collect survivor benefits, even though she was only married to her spouse for 7 years, since she is caring for their disabled adult child? If yes, at what age can she begin collecting this benefit? If yes, and this survivor benefit is more than . . . Read More
Category: Survivor Benefits
Posted: Aug 16 2022 - 12:46pm
How Do We Cancel My Deceased Mother In Law's Social Security And Black Lung Benefits?
My mother in law passed away, we need to know how to cancel her social security and her black lung benefits, thank you.
Hi. I'm sorry for your loss. You can notify Social Security of your mother in law's death by calling their toll free number, 800-772-1213. My expertise is limited to Social Security benefits, though, so I don't know who you need to call regarding your mother in law's black lung benefits.
Best, Jerry
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Aug 15 2022 - 5:30pm
Will My Friend's Spousal Benefit Be Reduced Because She Started Drawing Her Own Benefits At Age 65?
Two of my friends are planning to get married this year at age 68. She started collecting her own work SS benefits when she was 65 (before they met); he will be waiting until he is 70 to claim benefits, and she would like to start collecting spousal benefits then, which will be significantly higher than her own benefits. Question: When she claims spousal benefits at age 70, will she be deemed to have started collecting at age 65 (when she claimed her own benefits), rather than receiving the full spousal benefit based on her FRA?
Hi. If your friend doesn't . . . Read More
Category: Spousal Benefits
Posted: Aug 15 2022 - 5:18pm
