I applied for my social security; however, I have decided not to collect yet. Can I cancel my social security?
Hi. If you've already submitted your application to Social Security, the only way to undo that is to withdraw your claim. And, if you've already collected any benefits, you would have to repay them in full in order to be able to withdraw your claim. The instructions withdrawing an application can be found on the following Social Security website: https://www.ssa.gov/ . . . Read More
My wife is turning 64 this year and I am turning 52 been married 31 years can she retire using my benefits? or what can we do to maximize het benefits? thank you.
Hi. No. You would need to be collecting either Social Security retirement or disability benefits in order for your wife to potentially qualify for spousal benefits from your account.
You and your wife may want to strongly consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to fully analyze all of your . . . Read More
My mother was recently notified that she doesn’t have enough work credits to get full retirement. How can she update the records and obtain her full benefits even though she doesn’t have checks stubs or the W2’?
Hi. The only way to get missing earnings added to your Social Security earnings record is by submitting acceptable evidence to Social Security. The evidence must show the amount of earnings and the amount of Social Security taxes withheld or paid on those earnings.
Preferred evidence of wages is a copy of your W-2 form, although secondary . . . Read More
My wife of 25 years is seven years younger than me. If I retire at 70 and her at 63, can we each draw social security (we both qualify) at the same time? If I die first, can she stop collecting hers and get mine as a spousal death benefit (my benefit will be Much higher)? Does it depend on when she starts drawing her benefits (ie FRA)? Thanks.
Hi. Your wife couldn't stop drawing her own benefits and draw yours instead in the event of your death, but what she could do is continue to draw her own benefits plus a partial widow's benefit equal to the difference . . . Read More
I am planning on starting Social Security when I reach 65 in March 2024. My question is would income earnings from Jan, 2024 till my first SS check will impact my Social Security earnings for 2024?
Hi. The answer is basically yes. The annual earnings test counts all of your calendar year earnings, regardless of what month you claim benefits. However, there is a separate monthly earnings test that can be used in the first year of your entitlement to benefits as an alternate to the annual test. In 2022, for example, people who claim benefits before full . . . Read More
I’ve been on Social Security Disability since February of 2012. I was 49 years old. My wife and I are divorcing this year. She has been collecting her Social Security since she turned 62 in 2017. Can she now file for spousal Social Security, since mine is more than hers?
Hi. Assuming that your wife is collecting Social Security retirement benefits and not Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits, it sounds like she would already be drawing spousal benefits if she was eligible for them. Since you were drawing your SSDI benefits when your wife applied for . . . Read More
I worked for 35 years before retiring. I plan to take Social Security at age 70. My wife has never worked. What is our best strategy to maximize Social Security Income? Claim earlier?
Hi. The answer to your question depends in large part on your wife's age and your and her maximum life expectancies. You and your wife should strongly consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to fully compare and analyze all of your various options so that you can determine the best . . . Read More
Due to my disability (inclusion body myositis) I was retired by SSS at the age of 57 and collecting my full retirement pension. I’m now 63 years old. My question is my wife is turning 62 this February 2, 2023, can she file for spousal benefit( half of what I received) or her own SSS, which ever is higher?She is also not in good health.
Hi. If your wife files for either Social Security retirement or spousal benefits, she'll be deemed to be filing for both benefits simultaneously. She could then only be paid what is essentially the higher of the two benefit . . . Read More
Hi, Larry.
I have 2 minor children both a US citizen. They father passed away January 2022, a veteran. I would like to know if they can potentially be eligible for survivors benefits? We are living here in the Philippines right now. Their deceased father has a wife and four minor children in the US. They are already receiving survivors benefits in the US so is the wife. But what about my children? If they are eligible, would it affect the family in the US the amount they are receiving? And even if we are here in the Philippines, can they still be qualify? Thank you
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Hi. I have a question regarding backpay. I recently got approved for SSDI & SSI. My backpay was supposed to go back 3 years. It was for 48k...6k went to the lawyers that I had hired. ..so I were to receive 42k. I received two payments of 14k, which on my bank statement, said it was from SSDI. I also received 3k and it said it was from SSI. I received a letter in the mail stating that 12k was being 'withheld'. Now is that 12k from SSI and supposed to be paid to me every 6 months til it's all received or is that taxes that I owed from the backpay or something else? Will I . . . Read More
Results will differ based on your specific case and filing strategy.