If I Don't Return To Work Will I Still Get My Projected Age 70 Rate?
I suffered a work injury in a fall! I’m 68 years old! I am not collecting social security yet, trying to wait to age 70! If I don’t return to work, do I still get my projected amount at age 70 or do I get what I’m projected at right now? Also my wife is disabled and getting $766 a month now! Would she still get 50 percent of my amount once I apply?
Hi. I'm sorry to hear about your injury. If you don't return to work, your Social Security retirement benefit rate will still be credited with delayed retirement credits (DRC) for each month that you don't . . . Read More
Category: Benefit Amount
Posted: Mar 21 2023 - 12:34pm
Can I Start Collecting My Own Benefits At Age 62 And Then Switch To A Spousal Benefit At Age 67?
My husband was the primary wage earner and is planning to collect SS at age 70. I’m two and half years younger and would like to start collecting at age 62 under my own work history and then switch to spousal benefit at age 67 (after husband has started collecting). Will my spousal benefit be reduced based on the SS that I received from age 62-67
Hi. No. Whenever you start drawing your own Social Security retirement benefits, those benefits will continue for the rest of your life. And, if you start them before your full retirement age (FRA), the resulting . . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: Mar 20 2023 - 9:16pm
How Can We Get My Wife's Spousal Benefit Reactivated?
How can we get my wife’s spousal benefit reactivated? She is a retired teacher and her Medicare part B premium needs to be paid out of that.
Hi. Without knowing why your wife's benefits were apparently suspended, there's no way for me to know what you'd need to do to get her benefits reinstated. You mention your wife being a retired teacher. If she's collecting a teacher's pension based on her earnings that were exempt from Social Security taxes, then the Government Pension Offset (GPO) would likely require her spousal benefits to be offset by 2/3rds of . . . Read More
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Mar 20 2023 - 9:05pm
When Can I Stop Filing Tax Returns?
When can I stop filing tax returns? I am 69 and have only my 26,000 dollars per year Social Security and a $4,000 distribution from a small IRA as my yearly income?
Hi. My expertise is limited to Social Security benefits, not income tax regulations. You'll probably want to direct your question to a tax expert or the IRS.
Best, Jerry
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Mar 20 2023 - 5:37pm
Should I Go Ahead And Start Collecting Benefits For My Son Now?
I just turned 62 and have paid into SS for 40 years.
I am legally married to a Lao citizen and we have a 8 yr old son together.
My son is an US citizen w/ passport and SS number.
We live in Laos for the winter months and Wa. state during the summer.
I recently applied for SS and was informed that my wife will not receive any benefits under my work record because she is not a US citizen nor does she have a green card.
Should I go ahead and start collecting for my son and I and wait to add my wife later when she gets her green card ( about 14 months . . . Read More
Category: Filing Strategies
Posted: Mar 20 2023 - 12:48pm
Will I Lose My Monthly Stipend Now That My Nephew Receives Social Security?
I am a foster parent of my nephew I get a stipend check monthly. His mother died. He now gets social security. Will I lose my monthly stipend check now?
Hi. I'm sorry, but my expertise is limited to Social Security benefits. You'll probably want to direct your question to the agency that pays you the stipend.
Best, Jerry
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Mar 19 2023 - 10:02pm
What Would Happen To My Husband's Social Security If He Wins His Lawsuit Against His Former Employer?
My husband was terminated after 40 years for no good reason. He is suing for age discrimination. Our lawyer says we have a very good case. He is 63. He just applied to get social security as he feels he will probably not get a job and we need the income. He is suing for back pay, forward pay and loss of benefits. If he wins, what happens with his social security benefit?
Hi. As long as your husband doesn't return to work for his former employer, then any money that he gets in the form of settlement wouldn't cause him to lose any of his Social Security . . . Read More
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Mar 19 2023 - 9:56pm
Can My Wife Collect Her Benefit At Age 62 And Then Spousal Benefits When I Begin Collecting?
Can my wife collect her benefit at 62 yrs old and then the spousal benefit when I begin collecting at 67? We are the same age and my benefit is about 2x hers year to year. Thanks.
Hi. Your wife can't claim reduced benefits on her own account and later switch to a full spousal benefit, if that's what you had in mind. But, your wife could claim her own benefits as early as age 62 and then apply for an excess spousal benefit when you claim your benefits. However, she'll only qualify for a spousal benefit in addition to her own benefit if your primary . . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: Mar 19 2023 - 9:47pm
Can My Wife Become Eligible For At Least A Minimal Benefit By Earning Two More Quarters?
My wife and I are both 67. I’m on track to collect Social Security when I retire, but my wife has only worked for 38 quarters (she took time out first to raise our family, and then 20 years to care for our parents in their old age). Can my wife work 2 more quarters to become eligible for at least a minimal Social Security benefit? Does it have to be full time, or could she work part time and still qualify?
Hi. Yes, if your wife accrues at least 40 quarters (QC) of Social Security coverage, then she'd be eligible for retirement benefits based on her own . . . Read More
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Mar 19 2023 - 6:38pm
Can My Wife Increase Her Benefits By Applying For Spousal Benefits?
My wife applied for Social Security in 2009. Her benefit was severely reduced because of her state pension. I applied for my Social Security benefit in 2010. It was considerably higher. We married after having started our respective Social Security benefits. 14 years later my wife is wondering if she can increase her benefits by applying for spousal benefits on my account. Can she?
Hi. Your wife can apply for spousal benefits, but her claim will only be approved if your primary insurance amount (PIA) is more than twice as much as her PIA. A person's PIA is . . . Read More
Category: Spousal Benefits
Posted: Mar 19 2023 - 12:47pm
