Does Social Security Pay Up To 6 Months Of Retroactive Benefits If A Person Files Late?
I am doing annual Roth conversions, but staying within my current 22% tax bracket, before I turn 70 (July 2023), about which time I plan to claim SS benefits. If I don't do these conversions, I will be in a higher tax bracket when I start taking RMDs at 72 (I have a pension now + Soc. Sec. @ 70 + a higher RMD @ 72, which will put me permanently in 24% bracket). Does Soc. Sec. pay up to 6 months retroactive benefits if a person files late? My thinking is I delay filing until January 2024, so that I have the entire 2023 tax year with just my pension for income, which means I can . . . Read More
Category: Filing For Benefits
Posted: Jul 2 2022 - 10:49am
How Is It Possible For Me To Have Medicare Coverage At Age 60?
I'm receiving widow benefits. I am only 60 yrs old and social security said I can receive Medicare. How is that possible, if you have to be 65 years of age...thank you
Hi. The only way that a person can get Medicare coverage prior to age 65 is if they are receiving some type of disability benefit from Social Security (i.e. Social Security disability (SSDI), Disabled Widows Benefits (DWB), or Disabled Adult Child (DAC)), or if they have end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Therefore, I assume you meet one of those alternatives to the age 65 requirement for . . . Read More
Category: Medicare
Posted: Jul 2 2022 - 10:36am
Can My Sister Take Her Deceased Husband's Benefit Now And Still Change Over To Her Own Social Security Later?
I purchased your book a couple ofyears ago: Get What's Yours serveral years ago. My sister lost her husband and I wanted to know if she can still take his benefit now and still change over to her social security when she turns 66.5.
Thank you
Jack
Hi Jack. As long as your sister is at least age 60, or at least age 50 and disabled, then the answer is basically yes. She couldn't actually receive her husband's actual benefits, but she could potentially qualify for widow's benefits. However, if your sister is working, the Social Security earnings . . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: Jun 30 2022 - 4:06pm
Will Our Family Maximum Be Based On My Husband's FRA Benefit Or His Benefit Amount When He Finally Retires?
Hi Larry. My husband reaches full retirement age in 2 months. He plans to take his retirement, but continue working for 1-2 more years. We have a DAC, and I plan to file for spousal benefit for caring for my son. So when he finally completely retires, is the family maximum amount based on his full retirement age benefit or will it increase if he works an additional 2 years. Also will the survivor benefit be based on full retirement benefit, or will it be based on the amount he would get when he finally does retire? Thank you so much, janelle
Hi Janelle. The . . . Read More
Category: Family Benefit Maximum
Posted: Jun 30 2022 - 11:46am
If I Retire In January Will I Be Eligible For The 2023 COLA?
I turn 62 on 12/22/2022. If I retire January 1st of 2023 will I be eligible for the 2023 COLA?
Hi. Yes. All Social Security cost of living (COLA) increases that occur after a person turns age 62 are added to a their Social Security retirement benefit rate regardless of whether or not they are collecting benefits.
Therefore, since you'll reach age 62 prior to January 2023 you don't need to apply for benefits at age 62 in order to receive credit for the 2023 Social Security COLA. What starting your benefits at age 62 will do is cause you to receive . . . Read More
Category: Cost Of Living Increases
Posted: Jun 28 2022 - 5:26pm
Will I Receive The 8% Increase In January?
I will turn 62 on December 31st. I'm going to sign up in October. Will I be eligible for the 8% increase in January?
Thank you.
Hi. The actual Social Security cost of living (COLA) increase that will be added to benefits next January is not yet known, but whatever that increase is it will be included in your Social Security retirement benefit rate no matter when you start drawing benefits. All Social Security cost of living (COLA) increases that occur after a person turns age 62 are added to a their Social Security retirement benefit rate regardless . . . Read More
Category: Cost Of Living Increases
Posted: Jun 28 2022 - 12:20pm
Can I Collect From My Ex-Husband's Social Security If I'm 54 And Disabled?
I'm 54 and on disability. My ex husband is about to be 62. Can I collect from his social security? I meet all other requirements
Hi. No. You must be at least age 62 to be able to qualify for divorced spousal benefits on the account of a living ex-spouse. Being disabled makes no difference with regard to divorced spousal benefit eligibility.
The only way that you could potentially qualify for benefits from your ex-spouse's account prior to age 62 is if he dies. People who are disabled can potentially qualify for survivor benefits on the account . . . Read More
Category: Divorced Spousal Benefits
Posted: Jun 28 2022 - 11:28am
How Can I Get My Medicare Supplement Coverage Reinstated?
I asked SS to discontinue my retirement benefits after receiving them for 5 months. The SS office accidently cancelled my Medicare and as a result my United Healthcare Supplemental. How do I get the error reinstated from United Healthcare. I've paid my premiums although cancelled. The SS office admits the error was theirs and that I filled out the paperwork correctly and that this was their error.
Please Help.
Hi. Assuming that you withdrew only your Social Security retirement benefit application and not your Medicare application ( . . . Read More
Category: Medicare
Posted: Jun 27 2022 - 8:02pm
Don't I Qualify For Survivor Benefits Starting September 2021?
I have been getting my own SSA since 2013 for being disable. Ex-Husband passed September 18th, 2022, I did application for survivors' benefits September 24, 2022, claim was approved May 24. 2022. I was found disabled under survivor's standards March 2021. I was approved for full benefits from December 2021 -April 2022. Don't I qualify for partial benefits starting September 2021-November 2021? How long do it take Social Security to calculate back time owed these days? Will interest be added as they do when you owe them?
Hi. I can't give you a definite answer . . . Read More
Category: Divorced Widow(er) Benefits
Posted: Jun 27 2022 - 1:29pm
If I Apply For Part B Medicare Coverage During My IEP Can I Choose A Month To Start My Coverage?
I turned 65 in june..I applied for medicare part a only online.refused b because I have group coverage and still working. My IEP lasts till September 30. I have since learned group coverage is going up due to company merger.so now I want to apply for part b while still in IEP. SS said cannot be done online..must mail CSM 40 B form.my question is can I state when I want b to start in remarks section..or will I have to pay retro from month I turned 65..I will remain on group plan till b kicks in..don't want to pay double insurance. Ty
Hi. No, if you apply for . . . Read More
Category: Medicare
Posted: Jun 26 2022 - 12:15pm
