I am 66 and will get my 1st check in august. Will I get the cost of living given in January of this year?
Hi. Yes, assuming that you'll be collecting your own Social Security retirement benefits. Retirement benefit rates are updated to include all cost of living (COLA) increases that occur after a person reaches age 62, regardless of when the person starts drawing their benefits.
Best, Jerry
Dear Larry,
My ex-spouse who I was married to for more than 10 years is waiting for me to start my SS benefit at FRA in December 2022 so she can file for her 50% spousal benefits on my record. She never remarried. She asked if she would get my survivor benefits when I pass away, or will my current spouse get the survivor benefits, or will they both get my survivor benefits. I didn't know what to tell her. Thanks, Max
Hi Max. Your current wife and your ex-wife can both potentially qualify for survivor benefits on your account. And, neither one's . . . Read More
Are all of the Social Security Statements available on My Social Security incorrect? The SSA revised the statement that can be downloaded from the My Social Security website about 1 year ago. It now shows the amount of future benefit amounts at FRA, 67, 68, 69, and 70. It is correct at FRA and 70, but it is understated at 67, 68, and 69 by a significant amount.
Hi. I have no way of knowing about the accuracy of benefit estimates that Social Security provides online. However, you could use the benefit calculator that's included in our software ( . . . Read More
I was hired by my local school system as a assistant custodian in November, 2006 at the age of 60. I became eligible to retire from the school system in November, 2011. I retired in November of 2015 at the age of 69 and received a State Ohio School Employees Retirement System (SERS) Pension of $561.63 I was also responsible for an unknown WEP amount at that time, which I eventually learned was $285.80. The SSA failed to deduct the WEP for 10 months. They eventually deducted it in September 2016, effective February 2008 when I became eligible for SS early retirement. The total . . . Read More
I am 68 years old and collecting widow's benefits should I be collecting my own social security
Hi. You couldn't collect both your own benefits and Social Security widow's benefits in full, you could only be paid the higher of the two benefit rates. So, the only way you'd gain anything by filing for your own benefits is if your own benefit rate would be higher than your widow's rate. And, if your own rate is higher, then it would likely be best to wait until age 70 to claim your own benefits. Age 70 is when your own Social Security retirement benefit . . . Read More
Calif school teacher. Retired Strs pension term limit is 3/31/23 can I collect spousal ss survivors benefit?
Hi. I don't know what you mean by a term limit, but if you receive a government pension (or lump sum payment in lieu of a pension) that's based on your earnings that were exempt from Social Security taxes, then any Social Security spousal or survivor benefits for which you qualify would likely be offset by 2/3rds of the amount of your non-Social Security covered government pension. That's due to the Government Pension Offset (GPO) provision ( . . . Read More
I was out of work at 62 yrs of age. At that time there were a lot people out of work but the government ran out of money to pay unemployment benefits. Consequently I had to go on social security at a much reduced rate. Now I am wondering why I cannot get my full benefit rate at age 76 to help manage my life. Especially since I have heard the government is trying to use ssi to assist folks coming across our borders. Please help me.
Hi. Regardless of your reason for doing so, if you collect Social Security retirement benefits prior to your full retirement age . . . Read More
I am older than my spouse by 8 years. He is the main earner & I only worked occasionally throughout the years. I have received my Social Security Statement showing I can start drawing now or wait. If I start now I will receive $356. Am I eligible for any of his benefits if I start drawing early even if he isn't ready to start drawing and won't be until 2029, I believe? What difference would it make if I wait till full benefits age?
Hi. No. You can't qualify for spousal benefits at least until your husband starts drawing his benefits. And, if you start . . . Read More
I am a newly retired wife and my first social security check has been reduced by WEP at 70%. I also had another Social Security check that stated disability. My spouse is disabled and receives a check from social security. This check is right around 70% of my spouse’s check. Am I allowed to get part of my spouse’s check along with my social security check?
Hi. You can't get part of your spouse's actual Social Security payment, but you may be able to get an auxiliary spousal benefit if you meet the eligibility requirements ( . . . Read More
I was born in 1963. I have in 35 years of work. I have worked for a corporation for 29 years, but have retired from the company and will work for a school system for the next 5-7 years. My salary in 2022 is roughly 4 times what it will be for the next 5 years. People keep telling me that having the lower salary will lower my social security benefit. Some say that my benefit will only be based on the last 5 years. I don't understand why if I already have in 35 years. The ssa site calculator does show my benefit going down by $65/mth. Can you help me understand if working at a . . . Read More
Results will differ based on your specific case and filing strategy.