Ask Larry

Earnings Test

Is There A Limit On How Much My Husband Can Earn If He's Collecting Benefits As A Spouse With A Child In Care?

I have filed for retirement benefit at age 63.5. Have a disable Adult child and filing for there benefit now as well. She was disabled before the age of 22. My questions are regard spousal in care of child benefit. My husband is 64 and has not filed for benefit yet and may delay until 70.. Is there an earning limit regarding how much he can earn if he is collecting a spouse benefit on my record for a disabled child in care?

Hi,

Posted: 
Tuesday, November 12, 2019 - 08:02

Is The SS Representative Correct About My Income?

Hi Larry, I am a retired 63 year old dad receiving a Social Security Survivor’s benefit as a surviving parent caring for my disabled adult son. This year I began receiving payments through a Washington State Medicaid Waiver program as compensation for caring for a disabled person in my home. These are known as “difficulty of care” payments, and are exempt from federal income tax under IRS Notice 2014-7. The IRS also treats these payments as unearned income. In addition, they are exempt from FICA/FUTA taxes because I am a parent providing care to my adult child.

Posted: 
Wednesday, October 16, 2019 - 09:21

Will The Fact That I Worked In 2019 Reduce My Benefits?

I plan to retire December 31, 2019. I want to start collecting SS benefits in January, 2020. I will be 63 years 3 months. My FRA is 66 years 4 months. I started the online application. It asked if I worked any in 2019, which I did. It also asked if I plan to work in 2020, which I do not plan to do. I am concerned that my benefits will be reduced because I worked in 2019. Should I be concerned that my benefits be reduced because I worked in 2019? Thank you.

Hi,

Posted: 
Wednesday, September 25, 2019 - 09:28

Do Sub-S Distributions Count As Income When Collecting SS Benefits Prior To Full Retirement Age?

Do Sub-S Distributions count as income when collecting SS benefits prior to the full retirement age?

Hi,

Distributions from a subchapter S corporation only count as earnings for Social Security earnings test purposes if the distributions are classified as self-employment earnings. Distributions classified as unearned dividends would not count as earnings for earnings test purposes.

Best, Jerry

Posted: 
Monday, September 23, 2019 - 16:57

How Much Can I Make In 2019?

How much can I make in 2019 before my birthday 12/6?
How much can I make after 12/6 when I turn 66(FRA)?

Hi,

If you're claiming benefits for months prior to December and you turn age 66 on 12/6/2019, you could earn up to $46,920 from January through November without losing any of your benefits (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/whileworking.html#h1). There would then be no limit on how much you could earn starting with December.

Best, Jerry

Posted: 
Thursday, September 19, 2019 - 09:41
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