Ask Larry: Questions and Answers

Displaying 1041 - 1050 of 10063 questions.

Is It Worth It To Challenge Social Security's Decision To Disallow Benefits For My Disabled Son?

Social security is denying payment to my 4 year old son who has been classified as disabled because they say we are over resources because we have two cars. One car we are paying on to it has been excepted but my husbands truck is paid off and they are stating it is worth a lot more than it is. On top of that, the truck has a lien against it because it is being held as collateral for a tractor loan that he has. And even worse is the truck is not worth much because it needs a new engine but we can’t sell it for what we owe on the tractor. Is this worth fighting for?

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Category: Supplemental Security Income
Posted: May 2 2022 - 10:42am

How Can I Defer My Social Security Income For Tax Purposes?

Dear Professor Kotlikoff:

Thank you for your articles, books, blog and software! Your advocacy is a great service to all Americans.

I hope you will answer this question because I realize it is relevant to only half your readers (but possibly 75% of couples), with a birthday from June 2nd to December 1st, and that the income-deferral trick I envision skews to the benefit of the earlier part of that window (i.e., June). But here goes…

I'm unmarried, 69 in June. I plan to wait to age 70 to claim Social Security, but I want to delay payments for six months and . . . Read More

Category: Filing For Benefits
Posted: May 1 2022 - 1:17pm

How Does The Spousal Excess Work?

I am 61 and currently receiving ssdi and KRS disability pension. While talking to a SS rep a couple years ago she mentioned I would be receiving a higher amount on my ssdi and then realized her error in stating that. She said it would be later down the road that I would draw from my spouse.
I’ve been trying to understand the whys and after reading some of your column it seems I may need to really be careful what I do for my future income to be at its highest.
Could you please explain how the spousal excess works and how I determine what my best approach is. Will I . . . Read More

Category: Spousal Benefits
Posted: May 1 2022 - 1:01pm

Will My Medicare Coverage Remain The Same When I Turn 65?

I have been receiving Medicare coverage because of Social Security Disability. I will be turning 65 in June of this year. If I do nothing -- would I automatically be enrolled into Medicare when I turn 65 with exactly the same Medicare coverage as I had while receiving Medicare while on SSDI disability.

Hi. Yes, assuming that you're currently enrolled for both Parts A and B of Medicare. If you currently only have Part A coverage, though, then Social Security will automatically enroll you in Part B of Medicare when you turn 65. If you don't want Part B . . . Read More

Category: Medicare
Posted: Apr 30 2022 - 6:30pm

Do I Qualify For US Social Security Benefits?

I am a First Nations Canadian citizen with a US social security number from time spent in California many years ago. Do I qualify for US social security benefits. I am 66 yrs. Of age

Hi. You could only qualify for U.S. Social Security retirement benefits if you worked and paid U.S. Social Security taxes long enough to be insured for benefits. Normally, you need at least 40 quarters of coverage (QC), or roughly 10 years of Social Security covered work, to be insured. However, if you have at least 6 U.S. QCs you might qualify for a totalization benefit if . . . Read More

Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Apr 29 2022 - 9:11pm

What Portion Of Our Spouse's Amount Will We Receive When One Of Us Dies?

Both my husband and I received full social security. In the event of one of our deaths, what portion of our spouses ss do we receive and do we continue to receive our full ss?

Hi. Based on your description, the surviving spouse would receive the higher of their two benefit rates. If the spouse with the lower benefit amount dies first, the surviving spouse will only receive their own higher benefit amount. In that event, the only survivor benefit that could be paid is the one-time death benefit of $255.

However, if the spouse with the higher . . . Read More

Category: Survivor Benefits
Posted: Apr 29 2022 - 3:53pm

How Can I Help By Brother Apply For SSI Disability?

How can I help my brother apply for SSI disability recently went on partial disability for dyalisis but is becoming weaker everyday had liver transplant 25 yrs ago is a vet VA put him on partial disability which just covers dyalisis

Hi. I'm sorry to hear about your brother's illness. Your brother can potentially apply for Social Security disability (SSDI) and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) online at ssa.gov. The links can be found on the following pages: https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/disability/ . . . Read More

Category: Filing For Benefits
Posted: Apr 29 2022 - 10:02am

Is It Possible For Me To Apply For My Father's Retirement?

My father was manager of communications in Omaha ,Nebraska. He passed away in 1997. My mother remarried and did NOT accept the retirement pkg. She was due. I am his daughter and have no income and no resources. I want to apply for my father's retirement. I'm 57 yes. Old. Possibe????

Hi. If the "retirement package" you're referring to is Social Security, then the answer's no. Social Security is a social insurance program, not an individual retirement account. The money that people pay into the Social Security program is a tax, and the taxes collected go . . . Read More

Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Apr 29 2022 - 9:40am

Is There Any Way That My Brother Can Draw Benefits Based On My Social Security Contributions?

My brother is 53 years old and receives Social Security Disability and survivor benefits. He suffered a major head injury when he was 5 years old and was in special education classes throughout his school years. He lives independently but doesn't manage his finances, ongoing medical nor does he drive. I am his caretaker and have his power of attorney and am the representative payee with Social Security. Our parents have both passed away so it is just me taking care of him. Is there any way he can draw his Social Security based on my contributions? Victoria

. . . Read More

Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: Apr 28 2022 - 12:40pm

Why Hasn't My Benefit Rate Been Increased Yet?

I have worked part time since retirement at 65 and my social security benefit has not been recalculated. I was not earning over the limit and I paid SS taxes for about 7 years. I stopped this part-time work 2 years ago because of Covid and I still have not received a recalculation.

Hi. Social Security retirement benefits are based on an average of a person's highest 35 years of Social Security covered wage-indexed earnings, so the earnings you had after you started drawing benefits will only increase your benefit rate if you earned more in a year than you . . . Read More

Category: Recomputations
Posted: Apr 28 2022 - 12:24pm
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