Ask Larry

Family Benefit Maximum

Would It Make Sense To Discontinue Child Benefits Just Prior To Unsuspending My Benefit?

Hello
I am a 68 year old male born in April 1950 who has children aged 19,17,14, and 11. My wife is 50 years old.
I made the cut-off in April 2016 at age 66) for filing for soc security benefits for my children while I also formally filed and suspended my benefits with a goal to resume (unsuspend) my benefits at age 70. I plan to continue working to age 75.
My 11 year old will continue to receive dependent child benefits through December 2024 (turns 18 Jan 2025).

Posted: 
Sunday, May 20, 2018 - 10:01

Am I Calculating This Correctly?

I understand that waiting until age 70 to take SS benefits will provide the maximum benefit, but in my case I will be subject to the family maximum sooner as both my wife and disabled adult daughter will also be receiving benefits based on my work record. I am trying to calculate the minimum age, after I retire, that I can start to receive SS benefits at the family maximum amount. My current SS statement estimates my monthly benefit at $2973 at my full retirement age of 67. I calculated my family maximum as $5202.31 [1.5*1144 + 2.72*507 + 1.34*503 + 1.75*819].

Posted: 
Friday, May 18, 2018 - 15:24

What Strategy Would You Recommend For Our Family?

I am 64 and my wife will be 63 next month. We have a 20 year old disabled child who is currently living with us. Our daughter will rely heavily on Social Security benefits since her earnings will be minimal. My question has to do with maximizing her Dependent Adult Child (DAC) benefits. My social security benefit statement shows my benefit at FRA as $2390/month, at age 70, it will be $3220. The Maximum Family Benefit is shown as $4090.

Posted: 
Friday, February 16, 2018 - 10:08

How Do I Determine If My Son Is Dually Entitled Or Simultaneously Entitled?

Both my husband and I collect social security on our own records starting at FRA in March 2016.
In 2017, my husband collected $2647, and I collected $1002. They had paid me a spousal benefit starting in March 2016 but sent a letter of overpayment in Nov 2016 and now only pay me on my record citing FBM.

Posted: 
Wednesday, January 10, 2018 - 06:38

Is This The Way It Works?

Our 38 yr old daughter has been disabled since birth. She has worked part time for several years and receives SSA based on her own work record. My husband and I just applied for retirement benefits starting in 2 months when he reaches full retirement age (66) and I will be almost 65.. The representative told us that our daughter will now have to get benefits based on my husbands work record. His benefit will be about $2500.

Posted: 
Tuesday, January 9, 2018 - 07:12

Which Family Member's Benefit Is Reduced If The Family Maximum Limits Benefit Payments?

I am 62 years old and plan to retire when I turn 63 in August, 2018. I have worked my entire adult life and easily qualify for SS benefits. My wife is two years behind me and plans to retire with me in August, 2018. She’ll be 62 at that point, has worked most of her adult life and qualifies for her own SS benefit. We are trying to determine if it would be beneficial to have her climb on my SS benefit plan. I understand her benefit would be ½ of my full retirement benefit, which would be greater than if she filed for SS independently.

Posted: 
Monday, November 27, 2017 - 17:01

How Much Will My Daughter And I Receive?

My husband is 59 (full retirement age is 66 and 8 months) he wants to retire in June 2020 at 62.His full retirement amount is $2434 and early is $1755. I did not work enough to claim under my own record.I turn 62 in Feb. 2021. We have an adult disabled daughter (disabled since birth currently receiving SSI) that will apply under dads record. I have gotten the run around from SSA they won't tell me what the family maximum is and what her and I will get. I believe I am considered young spouse since I am her primary caregiver. I should collect before I turn 62 right?

Posted: 
Sunday, October 1, 2017 - 20:26
MaxiFi software running on a laptop
Get What's Yours!
Discover tens of thousands in extra retirement dollars with Maximize My Social Security software!
  • Find your maximized strategy
  • Unlimited what-ifs
  • Step-by-Step filing instructions
  • Our software's lifetime-benefit increase for an illustrative couple earning $65K each and planning to take retirement benefits at 62.

    Results will differ based on your specific case and filing strategy.

Getting Started is Easy
Web-based software. Works on ALL browsers. No download.