Ask Larry

My weekly Ask Larry column ran for almost four years at PBS NewsHours' site. We've now moved Ask Larry to the best place to both answer your general questions and let you calculate your particular optimal benefit collection strategy. I pledge to answer as many questions as possible in the columns below. Please share Ask Larry on social media and consider purchasing our Maximize My Social Security program, which will show you precisely how to get everything you paid for. All my best, Larry.

Picture of Professor Laurence Kotlikoff — Laurence "Larry" Kotlikoff, Professor of Economics, Boston University, and President of Economic Security Planning, Inc., makers of Maximize My Social Security

Latest Questions and Answers

How Can I Change My Medicare Enrollment To An Earlier Date?

I have enrolled in Medicare PART-A on JUL 2020 when i turned 65. I continued to work until SEP 2020 and had EGHP (Employer Group Health Plan) until SEP 2020. My job got terminated on SEP 31 2020 but the employer as part of severance agreement to provide COBRA coverage until DEC 31 2020 fully paid by the employer. As of SEP 2020 due to termination of employment I was in SEP - special enrollment period for Medicare Part-B (8 months starting from OCT 1 2020 until May 2021). However I applied for Medicare PART B in Sep 2020 submitting all necessary forma and got approved for . . . Read More

Category: Medicare
Posted: Jan 17 2022 - 6:03pm

How Can I Get A Refund Of The Medicare Premiums That My Deceased Husband Overpaid?

My husband turned 65 in September 2021. Medicare sent him a bill for 4 months of payments a total of $594.00. The coverage was for 10/01/21 to 1/31/22. My husband passed away 10/21/21. I was wondering if I was entitled to a refund for the 3 remaining month my husband didn't need. I have called Medicare and they can't talk to me only him. What do i do or is there anything that can be done.

Thank you

lisa

Hi Lisa. I'm sorry for your loss. It sounds like what you need to do is submit to Social Security a form SSA-1724 ( . . . Read More

Category: Medicare
Posted: Jan 17 2022 - 5:49pm

When My Wife Turns Age 70 Will She Have The Opportunity To Collect More?

I started to collect my SS benefits at age 62. My wife who is seven years younger, started to collect her's at the rate of half my SS income when she turned 62. When she turns 70 this year, will she have the opportunity to collect more?

Hi. No. If your wife applied for benefits at age 62, then her application would have been deemed to be an application for both spousal benefits and her own Social Security retirement benefits. Therefore, your wife should already be receiving the higher of her own benefit rate or her spousal rate.

Furthermore, the . . . Read More

Category: Benefit Amount
Posted: Jan 17 2022 - 4:01pm

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What are your Social Security questions? Ask Professor Larry Kotlikoff and the experts at Maximize My Social Security

Ask Larry

Latest Questions and Answers

How Can I Change My Medicare Enrollment To An Earlier Date?

How Can I Get A Refund Of The Medicare Premiums That My Deceased Husband Overpaid?

When My Wife Turns Age 70 Will She Have The Opportunity To Collect More?