Ask Larry: Questions and Answers

Displaying 961 - 970 of 10063 questions.

Can You Explain What's Meant By A Protective Filing Date?

Hello Larry,

My 72nd birthday was in November, 2021. I’ve not yet applied to receive Social Security retirement benefits (a mistake I now know; I mistakenly thought my monthly benefit might increase by waiting beyond my 70th birthday). On June 2, 2022 I called Social Security and said I’m ready to apply for my retirement benefits and the worker set an appointment for me near the end of July to talk with a SSA retirement specialist. The worker referred to June 2, 2022 as a “protective filing date” for me. Can you please explain what that means?
Also, a couple of . . . Read More

Category: Filing For Benefits
Posted: Jun 5 2022 - 12:12pm

Can I Get Social Security Disability Benefits After I Start Receiving SSI?

Can I get SS disability benefits after I start receiving SSI?

Hi. My answer assumes that by SSI you're referring to Supplemental Security Income. Yes, it's possible to become eligible for Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits even if you're already collecting SSI benefits, provided that you're under your full retirement age (FRA).

However, you can only qualify for SSDI benefits if you meet the insured status requirements. To be insured for SSDI, you must basically have at least the equivalent of 1 quarter of coverage (QC) for each year . . . Read More

Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: Jun 4 2022 - 4:35pm

How Does Social Security Calculate Monthly Earnings For SGA Purposes?

How do they calculate the months you get 3 paychecks. Is it when you get paid in that month. And what if you dont go over the sga

Hi. When evaluating substantial gainful activity (SGA), Social Security goes by the amount earned in a month rather than the amount paid. So, if the only reason for going over SGA is because of an extra paid period in a month, then it probably won't affect your benefits. However, you may need to prove to Social Security how much you actually earned in the month in question, so you'll want to keep copies of your payslips and submit . . . Read More

Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: Jun 4 2022 - 4:31pm

If My Husband Starts Drawing At Full Retirement Age But Keeps Working, How Will That Affect Survivor Benefits?

Hi Larry. If my husband reaches full retirement age and takes his social security, but continues to work for 2 years, how will that affect survivor benefits? Are they based on his full retirement amount when he first took benefits, or the amount he was receiving after working an additional 2 years? I plan to file for child in care benefits since I care for my adult disabled son who was disabled prior to age 22. There is a 15 year age difference between my husband and myself so we want to maximize the survivor benefit down the line because I will not be able to work. Thank you . . . Read More

Category: Survivor Benefits
Posted: Jun 4 2022 - 11:14am

Am I Correct In Thinking That My Best Strategy Is To Claim Spousal Benefits At Age 65?

Hi Larry, I appreciate being able to ask this question. My husband and I are both Americans and we are also both French. He is 66, with 11 years in the USA SS system, and started his social security on January 1st 2022 at $980 per month, subject to the WEP once his French retirement pension goes into affect. Same for me, but I am younger, unemployed currently, 60, with 12 years of earning in the USA SS, with $400 monthly anticipated at age 65, but also subject to WEP, $211 per month (estimated). Based on reading your expert view, It looks to me that I should wait until I am 65 . . . Read More

Category: Filing Strategies
Posted: Jun 3 2022 - 12:58pm

If I Take A Job Will I Lose Some Of My Benefits?

I am 69 years old and drawing social security. My husband died Feb. 2022 and I am now drawing widow's benefits to match what he was drawing. If I take a custodian job at my church that pays $1300 a month, will I lose the extra social security I started receiving and go back to my original amount?

Hi. I'm sorry for your loss. The answer to your question is no. Since you are over full retirement age (FRA), you won't lose any of your Social Security benefits if you start working regardless of how much you earn.

Best, Jerry

Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Jun 2 2022 - 10:33am

Will GPO Apply My Son Inherits My State Pension?

I have a small state pension that can be left to my disabled son. He is now receiving SSI but will transfer to DAC on my earning record when I retire and will receive the pension when I die. Does GPO apply and how will it impact his DAC? Thanks

Hi. The Government Pension Offset (GPO) provision can only affect a person's Social Security auxiliary or survivor benefits if they receive a government pension that's based on THEIR OWN work and earnings. So, receiving a survivor pension based on your state government work won't have any impact on your son's . . . Read More

Category: Non-Covered Pension - WEP / GPO
Posted: Jun 1 2022 - 3:43pm

Can I File For Social Security Without Triggering Medicare Enrollment?

I am a 67 years older and still working. Can I file for social security without triggering the enrollment of Medicare?

Hi. No. There's no way to claim any type of monthly Social Security benefits at age 65 or older without being automatically enrolled in Part A of Medicare (https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0600801002). In fact, if you apply for Social Security benefits now at age 67, your Part A coverage would automatically start effective 6 months prior to the month you apply . . . Read More

Category: Medicare
Posted: Jun 1 2022 - 12:31pm

Is It Possible For Me To Work Part-Time For Less Than $900 Indefinitely Without Any Problems From SSA?

Hi Larry, I am 63 YO and have been on SSDI for 5 years. I want to get a part time job with no intention of ever going back to full time work at this time due to my disability. My goal is to work 15 hours a week making under $900.00 / month. Is that possible without any problems from SSA? Can I do that indefinitely? How do I proceed? Do I just get a job and let them know I am working or do I just start sending my pay stubs without notification?

Hi. Yes. As long as you don't earn more than the amount that Social Security considers to be substantial gainful . . . Read More

Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: May 31 2022 - 3:41pm

Can You Explain Why I Was Told That I Can't File On My Ex-Husband's Account Until He Dies?

I filed for SS at age 62. My ex just turned 62 this year. I am told because I filed at age 62 that I am no longer able to file on his now and can only file when he dies. I am real confused. Help would be appreciated. Thank you

Hi. You CAN APPLY for divorced spousal benefits, but as long as your ex-spouse is still living you'll only be eligible for them if 50% of your ex-spouse's primary insurance amount (PIA) is more than your own PIA. A person's PIA is equal to their Social Security retirement benefit rate if they start drawing their benefits at full . . . Read More

Category: Divorced Spousal Benefits
Posted: May 31 2022 - 12:50pm
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