If My Spouse Dies Before I Reach FRA Can I Collect My Own Benefits And Wait Until FRA To Claim Survivor Benefits?
We have used your SS calculator and read many of your articles...Very useful! Just one question we cannot seem to find an answer to, and can't manipulate the "What-ifs" to calculate it for us, Really appreciate any clarification you can give us!
Joe (DOB:10/17/1952): the much higher earner, will file for SS benefits at 70 in 10/2022.
Suzy (DOB:10/18/1959), the much lower earner, will file for reduced SS benefits at 64,7months about 5/2024.
Suzy, due to birth year, is considered a "deemed" filer, so will get own+spousal (reduced) benefits when files 5/2024.. . . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: Jul 21 2022 - 5:37pm
Will I Be Able To Collect Social Security On My Former Spouse's Earnings If I Move To Ireland?
I am a permanent resident and divorced.
I need to know if i relinquish my green card and move to Ireland, will I be able to collect Social Security on my former spouse earnings at 65? I don’t have enough of my own.
Hi. I assume that you're an Irish citizen, which is pertinent because the U.S. Social Security program has a totalization agreement with Ireland. In that case, then yes, you can be paid any type of U.S. Social Security benefits that you qualify for even if you move to Ireland. The requirements for divorced spousal benefits are outlined . . . Read More
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Jul 21 2022 - 5:27pm
Will There Ever Be A Time When My Son's Disabled Adult Child Benefits Are Guaranteed To Continue?
Hi,
When do the CDR's (Continuing Disability Reviews) stop for a person who have DAC Benefits? My son is in his early 40's and as his parents we are wondering if there will ever be a time in his life that his DAC benefits are guaranteed to continue?
Thanks so much for your help
Bill
Hi Bill. No. Disabled Adult Child (DAC) benefits only continue for as long as the beneficiary continues to be disabled. There's no age at which a DAC could be entitled to benefits without being disabled, so there's technically no upper age limit after which a . . . Read More
Category: Disabled Adult Child Benefits
Posted: Jul 20 2022 - 5:29pm
Will My Wife's SSDI Benefits Be Cut If I Take Spousal Benefits And Delay Taking My Own Benefit?
Hello. Will my 64yo wifes SSDI benefits since 55yo be cut if I at my fra who’s still working and I choose to take spousal benefits instead of my own benefit for my benefits continued growth for delayed credits and take my own benefit a year or two later.
Hi. If you qualify for spousal benefits on your wife's record it won't reduce her benefit rate, but unless you either a) were born prior to January 2 1954 or b) have an eligible child in your care who's entitled to child benefits, you can't apply for spousal benefits without also filing for your own . . . Read More
Category: Spousal Benefits
Posted: Jul 20 2022 - 2:31pm
If I Retired At Age 62 Can I Collect Half Of My Husband's Benefit Amount Instead Of My Own When He Retires?
If I retired at 62 and my husband will retire 2023 at 66 plus, is there a way for me to collect 1/2 of his social security instead of mine?
Hi. You can never stop drawing your own Social Security benefits once you've started drawing them, unless you withdraw your application and pay back all of the benefits you've been paid. And, you can't withdraw a claim for retirement benefits more than 12 months after your initial month of entitlement to benefits. Furthermore, any reduction for age applicable to your own retirement benefit rate for starting benefits . . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: Jul 19 2022 - 7:29pm
If I File For My Social Security This Month Will I Get Next January's COLA?
If I file this month for my social security- I’m 63, will I get next January’s cola?
Hi. Yes, since you've already reached age 62 you'll get the next Social Security cost of living (COLA) increase no matter when you claim benefits. All Social Security COLAs that occur after a person reaches age 62 are added to their Social Security retirement benefit rate regardless of when they start drawing benefits.
Before deciding when to start drawing your benefits, you should strongly consider using our software ( . . . Read More
Category: Cost Of Living Increases
Posted: Jul 19 2022 - 11:42am
How Much Will My Dad Receive Now That My Mom Has Passed Away?
My mom recently passed away (age 80) and I am helping my dad with their financial affairs, including her social security and state retirement. We are a bit sketchy on understanding what will happen with dad’s social security and widower benefits. Mom took SS at her full retirement age and dad took his at 62. Mom’s benefit after Medicare insurance was paid was $1707 and dad’s is $746 after Medicare insurance is paid. How much money will dad receive now? Does he need to contact Social Security about his updated benefit or will that be done automatically since the funeral home . . . Read More
Category: Survivor Benefits
Posted: Jul 19 2022 - 8:18am
Would I Be Eligible For Spousal Benefits From My Wife's Earnings?
I currently collect from a state pension plan. Would I be eligible for spousal benefits from social security from my wife’s earnings and when?
Hi. You may quality for spousal benefits if you're at least age 62 and if your wife is collecting Social Security retirement or disability benefits, but it sounds like your spousal benefits would be at least partially offset due to the Government Pension Offset (GPO) provision (https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10007.pdf).
If a person receives a pension . . . Read More
Category: Spousal Benefits
Posted: Jul 18 2022 - 9:15pm
Will I Lose My SSI And SSD If I Enter A Domestic Partnership?
Would I lose my SSI and SSD if I were to enter a legal Domestic Partnership? If so, why? I will still be responsible for my part in all of the bills and rent. Nothing will change, so I’m confused why it would be taken away or lowered?
Hi. Entering a domestic partnership would not affect Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits, but any type of change in relationship or living arrangements can potentially affect a person's Supplemental Security Income (SSI) eligibility. SSI is a needs based program administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA . . . Read More
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Jul 18 2022 - 5:33pm
If I'm 71, How Much Can I Earn Per Year Before It Affects My Social Security Payment?
I'm 71 yrs old and currently receiving social security. Since loosing my husband in 2020 and his income I have had to take a part-time job to help with bills. How much can I make a year before it affects my social security payment?
Hi. I'm sorry for your loss. Since you've already reached full retirement age (FRA), there's no limit on the amount that you could earn and still be able to collect all of your Social Security benefits.
As for your benefit amount, the only way that additional earnings could raise your benefit rate is if you're a) . . . Read More
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Jul 18 2022 - 5:25pm
