Ask Larry

Retirement Benefits

Is There Any Way That I Can Get A Better Estimate Of My Future Benefit Rate?

I have a copy of my latest benefits estimate from Social Security. I think it estimates my future earnings based on my latest year. I plan to stop working before I start drawing Social Security retirement benefits. I'd like to know how much that will reduce their estimated benefit. They have some clever calculators online, but none of them seem to do exactly what I want. I played with one of their calculators and I think I have a close estimate.

Posted: 
Thursday, February 23, 2017 - 08:15

What Is The Social Security Maximum Benefit?

I'll be turning 70 on 6/2017. I'll start receiving my full benefits then. I've been receiving spousal benefits from age 62 though.

Please inform me as to what's the maximum social security benefits one may receive which is, of course, based on one's income and contributions over a lifetime.

Just curious to know what one could potentially receive with a top % income
Bracket.

Hi,

Posted: 
Wednesday, February 22, 2017 - 07:00

Will You Explain The 6 Month Retroactive Benefit?

Would you please explain what the 6 month retroactive benefit is and how it works. I am 68 years old, my FRA was 66 and I am still working and haven't filed for my
S.S. retirement benefits yet

Hi,

I'll try. Since you are older than full retirement age (FRA), when you file for benefits you will have the option to claim benefits up to 6 months prior to your month of filing. However, taking the retroactive benefits will come at the cost of receiving a lower monthly benefit rate for life.

Posted: 
Wednesday, February 22, 2017 - 06:45

Do You Have Any Advice About My Problem?

I am retiring in May 2017, age 67. I got a phone call from SS that my 1990 income was apparently reported twice. This skewed my benefits which became lower once the error was found (my bad for not paying closer attention to those earnings reports!!!) I was told on the phone by the SS rep that half the reported amount would be used as my income for 1990. Now I get a letter stating my income for 1990 is $0 and my benefits (including a retro payment to July 2016, if I choose to take it) are even lower. Of course I am disputing this but do you have any advice?

Posted: 
Monday, February 20, 2017 - 11:45

Should I Have Benefited From The Additional Social Security Taxes I Paid After Retiring?

I RETIRED AS AN INSURANCE AGENTin1990. and began Social Security. As a pension I also received over the years monthly renewal income from which was withheld annually the sum.of $199.80 Social Security plus $46.68 re: Medicare. Therefore as I received $16,824. SS each year I continued each tax time to pay, over 26 years, $5,195 total( so far) back into

Posted: 
Wednesday, February 8, 2017 - 07:00

How Will A Reduction In My Earnings Affect My Benefit Rate?

Hello -- I will be 63 in June. I am and have always been single. I work, but my work looks to be dropping off substantially this year due to changes in the company. I would llike to know if I should file for social security benefits soon because it looks like I will earn substantially less than I did in the last 15 years. I obviously want to maximize my benefit; however, I do want to retire very soon anyway. This change in my income was unexpected, so I have not figured out what is best -- use savings and wait or file now?

Posted: 
Saturday, February 4, 2017 - 17:00

What Month Should I Choose To Receive Maximum Benefits?

I turn 70 in the month of June. When applying for benefits, should the starting date be June or July in order to receive the maximum benefit?

Hi,

If you were born on June 1st, you would want to choose May as your month of entitlement. If you were born any other day in June, you'd choose June to get the maximum rate. Social Security pays benefits a month behind, so payments for June are issued in July.

Best, Jerry

Posted: 
Tuesday, January 31, 2017 - 06:00
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