Ask Larry

Disability Benefits

How Would Reduced Retirement Benefits Be Affected By Entitlement To Disability Benefits?

My wife applied for disability in December 2014.She applied online thru the SSA website.March2015 she got her denial letter. We then contacted a company called Freedom Disability..long story short they failed to file her re determination in time.So we again filed with SSA via their website.Again she was turned down after numerous other appointment to various doctors.Feb 2016 we talked to a local attorney and he took her case, filed the appeal.

Posted: 
Thursday, August 18, 2016 - 12:45

Can I Prevent The Conversion Of My Disability Benefits To Retirement Benefits At Age 66?

Tom will turn 66 in Feb., and is currently receiving disability benefits from social security. We have other sources of income to cover our monthly expenses. Is it still possible to delay receiving regular social security until he is 70. Yrs old and claim the maximum benefit? If we stop the disability benefit prior to his 66th birthday, does this accomplish what we want? Does a disability benefit from social security automatically roll into regular social security when you reach 66 yrs old? Can we prevent this?

Hi,

Posted: 
Saturday, August 6, 2016 - 11:30

My Wife Has Cancer -- Is She Eligible For Any Benefits Now?

Dear Larry. My wife has just been diagnosed with stage III lung cancer. Prognosis with the current treatment is to live about 3-5 years. She has worked enough credits to qualify for social security when retiring at age 66-1/2. She is now only 58 and may not reach her retirement age. Also she has stopped working more than 10 years ago to take care of the kids. Is she eligible for any social security benefits at this time? If not, she may not be able to enjoy the benefit at all since she may not even live to age 62. Thanks for your information.

Hi,

Posted: 
Sunday, July 31, 2016 - 11:30

When Will My Disability Benefits Change To Retirement Benefits?

hi larry, i am 62 and on SSDI. when will i begin to receive regular SS and will it be more or less than SSDI?

Hi,

Your disability benefits will convert to retirement benefits when you reach full retirement age, which is age 66 in your case. Your benefit amount will not do down, and it will almost certainly not increase either. In virtually all cases, there is no change in the benefit amount upon conversion.

Best, Jerry

Posted: 
Tuesday, July 26, 2016 - 14:45

Can I Stay On Disability Benefits Until Age 70?

I am receiving social security disability and have been for years as total disability. do I have an option of entering into FRA benefits at age 70 and what will the difference over my present amt be? I was born in 1951.In one of your previous articles you mentioned a 32% higher value at age 70. I am wondering if this would be available to me? Thank you

Hi,

Posted: 
Tuesday, July 26, 2016 - 12:45

Can I Suspend Benefits And Still Receive Disability Benefits?

I am currently receiving SSDI. I am 65. Can I file and suspend my Social Security until the age of seventy and still receive SSDI?

Hi,

No. Your disability benefits will convert to retirement benefits at age 66. At that point, you can suspend your benefits and resume them at age 70, which would increase your benefit by 32%. However, that would mean going without any monthly benefits for 4 years.

Best, Jerry

Posted: 
Thursday, July 21, 2016 - 12:30

Can I Receive Any Additional Benefits?

I am currently on disability and I am 65 years old. Despite the fact we have gotten no increases in benefits that amount to nothing SS has told me when my disability changes to retirement the first 22 years I worked will not count towards my full retirement. They tell me my disability will be all that I receive. They also told me that I cannot collect any benefits for my wife who passed away at age 50 twelve years ago. I was told this by someone at SS. Is this really true? I would hope you can tell me otherwise.

Posted: 
Thursday, July 21, 2016 - 12:15

Can I Do Anything To Increase My Benefits?

hi larry,iwas granted ssd in 1995 I took a57000 from compensation in 1999 I now get about 900 a month in ssd, iturned 62 in nov. born in 1953,anything to increase my ssd or take retirement,my wife also has private retirement pension with ssd is there anything I can do to increase my ssd or take retirement or both.i would like your input,as you realize 900 a month medicines, does not go far.

Hi,

Posted: 
Thursday, July 21, 2016 - 11:15
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