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Retirement Benefits

What Should I Do About The Zero Earnings Years On My Record?

In August of 2019, I will begin my retirement from Social Security. After analyzing my entry record, I found a very serious mistake. It appears that I started working when I was still in high school in 1971. I graduated from high school in 1973 and I never worked during my time in high school. Because I had had an earning in 1971 (something that isn’t true), then zeros appeared in 1972 and 1973. In 1973 I started College and I worked there in a program of study and work in 1974. Then, I graduated from College in 1975 and immediately started to work.

Posted: 
Tuesday, June 25, 2019 - 19:43

Will My Wife Be Able To Claim Her Social Security Benefits That Are Due Her In The Coming Months?

My wife worked 20 or so years as a nurse ,obviously paying social security
She then became a self employed real estate agent and did not pay SS for 5 or 6 years. Will she still be able to claim her social security benefits that are due her in the coming months.

Thx

Hi,

Posted: 
Sunday, June 16, 2019 - 10:14

Would Your Software Help Me?

I turned 70 on March 26 and have an appointment at SS Monday, April 29 to apply for benefits.
I've read your book and found it invaluable. And happy to get the software if you think it will help. My question is very specific to my financial history. The problem is that SS estimates of my benefit decreased this year from what had been estimated in past annual notices they sent me. I called SS but customer service came up with an even lower monthly benefit. I can't imagine why this is happening.

Posted: 
Thursday, April 25, 2019 - 09:39

Did I Lose All Of My Previous Credits By Staying Home To Raise Children?

Dear Larry, My husband was a Firefighter, and after marriage I stayed home to take care of my 5 children. He did not pay into social security only Municipal Pension. I was involved any children schooling and activities and have yet to return to work. Im 62. I worked as a RN but let like I said to raise my sons. I have income earned until that point, but not since 1991. Did I lose all my previous credits, and what are my options for returning to work, how long to I have to work and how much $$ in order to qualify for Social Security.

Posted: 
Tuesday, March 12, 2019 - 12:25

Why Is My Benefit Rate Less Than The Maximum Possible Amount?

Mr. Kotlikoff, good afternoon. Thank you for providing this service to ask questions about social security.

My question is about the maximum (retirement) social security benefit amount, which I understand is $3,770.00 per month in 2019. Through my online research, I've concluded that only two (2) criteria are necessary to qualify for the maximum benefit amount: 1) delaying benefits until age 70 and 2) having a record of at least 35 years of earnings where the earnings amount meets or exceeds the maximum earnings amount subject to social security tax. Is that correct?

Posted: 
Thursday, March 7, 2019 - 14:40

How Does $0 Income For 8 Years Affect My Benefit?

When I was down sized out of a job at 62 (FRA 66) I elected to take spousal benefit at age 66 and continue to delay receiving benefits on my record. The last benefit estimate I had showed me receiving $2282 @ 66 doing the math $2282*1.32 I would receive $3012 + COLA . Is this correct? How does $0 income for 8 years effect my benefit. I can't get a benefit estimate from SS online because I receive spousal benefits. Will SS give me the benefit amount over the phone or at a SS office?
Thank you

Hi,

Posted: 
Tuesday, February 26, 2019 - 11:35

Which Indexing Factors Are Used To Calculate A Person's Benefit Rate?

Hi. I hope you can answer this question that the SS website doesn't seem to answer. Let's say a person quits working sometime before their 62nd birthday. At 62, they file for Social Security benefits. The monthly benefit can be calculated using that year's form 05-10070 and Index Factors. If a person decides not to file, until age 64, does that original 'retirement age' (Step 6) get recalculated using current year index factors, or is that original number the one that is used for the adjusted 64 year old's benefit amount? Thank you!

Hi,

Posted: 
Friday, February 22, 2019 - 10:36
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