Can I Get Disability Now Based On My Late Husband's Record?
My husband passed away October 2022. We have been married since 1986 n had 2 children, one passed away at age 23 (2017). We were legally separated in 1999. However we shared the same residence from 1986-1999 & again from 2005 -2017. He was in an assisted living home when he passed. I was the authorized person in charge of his care all of the way up to removing life support. However, I did ask the funeral home could we make payments to get his ashes n they said we could. When we went to make a payment they stated that they had gotten the state to pay for them, they thought. . . . Read More
Category: Disabled Widow(er) Benefits
Posted: Mar 18 2023 - 7:38am
Will My Work Income Increase My Overall Social Security Payments?
I'm disabled and was in the back to work program where I submitted work income monthly which $1 was deducted from every $2 over the monthly limit my ? Social security taxes where deducted each month from my pay check as well, does this increase my over all social security payments since I paid more into the program
Hi. Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits don't get reduced by $1 for every $2 that you earn over a certain limit, so I assume that what you receive must be Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSI is a needs based program that isn't funded . . . Read More
Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: Mar 16 2023 - 2:24pm
Can I Get Social Security Credit For My National Insurance Contributions In The UK?
I worked in the US for 7 years and then moved to the UK in 1985 and worked there until I moved back to the US in 2016, where I am now working again. Right now, according to Social Security, I did not work between 1985 and 2016. I understand that there is a reciprocal agreement between the US and UK. Can I get social security credit for my National Insurance contributions in the UK? I'm almost 69, so will need to start taking social security in about a year and a half. Thank you.
Hi. If you have fewer than 40 quarters (QC) of U.S. Social Security coverage, . . . Read More
Category: Calculating Retirement Benefits
Posted: Mar 15 2023 - 6:05pm
Is It True That If Someone Waits Until Age 70 To Collect Benefits They Don't Receive COLA Increases Between Ages 60 And 70?
Hi - a recent confusion around COLAs. 35 of highest earnings are indexed inflation adjusted but only up to age 60, if someone wants to wait until age 70 to claim, there is no COLA or inflation adjustment to these earning age 60 to 70? Seems like a long period of time with no COLA, is that correct and what is the rationale from SSA for this? Thank you very much.
Hi. No, that is not correct. All Social Security cost of living (COLA) increases that occur after a person reaches age 62 are added to their Social Security retirement benefit rate, regardless of . . . Read More
Category: Cost Of Living Increases
Posted: Mar 15 2023 - 3:09pm
Will My Payment Date Change When I Start Drawing My Own Benefits?
I will be switching from widows benefits that I have been receiving on the 3rd of the month to my own benefits at age 70 in April. Will my payment date change based on the day of the month I was born? (6th)
Thanks much.
Hi. Yes, if you were born on the 6th day of a month, then when you claim your own benefits you'll be paid on the second Wednesday of each month.
Best, Jerry
Category: Payment Dates
Posted: Mar 15 2023 - 3:06pm
If You Lived Together For 48 Years With Someone Can You Collect Their Social Security?
if you lived together fot 48 years and never remarried can you collect social security of theirs?
Hi. You can't actually collect someone else's Social Security benefits, but you can potentially qualify for auxiliary or survivor benefits based on someone's Social Security record. However, you can only qualify for spousal, divorced spousal, or surviving spousal or divorced spousal benefits if you have or had a legally recognized marriage, or a domestic relationship that is recognized as the equivalent of a marriage under state law. Living together in and of . . . Read More
Category: Divorced Spousal Benefits
Posted: Mar 15 2023 - 2:02pm
Will My Benefits Be Reduced By WEP Due To The Pensions I'll Be Receiving From Germany?
First, my German husband and I are divorcing. He has German pension that I hope will be divided between us. I have not been able to find out whether my part of the settlement will be deducted from my SS due to WEP. (I do not have 30 years of "substantial earnings" as defined by WEP).
I am hopeful that the German pension portion that I receive will not count against my SS, since the half of the pension that I receive is not based on my own earnings.
Can you clarify?
Second, I myself have a small ($200) German pension that is based on years child-rearing in . . . Read More
Category: Foreign Pensions
Posted: Mar 15 2023 - 1:32pm
Why Won't Social Security Give Me SSDI Benefits?
I'm a disabled senior citizen and they will not give me SSDI I get SSI and SSA but not SSDI why?
Hi. The purpose of Social Security disability (SSDI) program is to allow people who become unable to work due to a disability to start collecting their Social Security benefits early. SSDI benefits aren't a separate benefit that can be paid in addition to your regular Social Security retirement benefit. You can't be paid both Social Security retirement benefits and SSDI benefits at the same time. Qualifying for SSDI benefits simply allows people to start . . . Read More
Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: Mar 15 2023 - 1:09pm
Can You Help Me Get A Higher Benefit?
Hello I receive ssi and I feel really not getting enough can you help me I also should be getting Medicare but I get only medical
Hi. I'm sorry, but there isn't nearly enough information in your question for me to know if you're receiving the correct payment amount. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is needs based, and payment rates vary depending on a person's income, living arrangement, and the state in which they live. If you think that you should be receiving a higher payment amount, you should probably call Social Security and discuss it with them . . . Read More
Category: Supplemental Security Income
Posted: Mar 14 2023 - 9:36pm
Are My Tax Calculations Accurate?
Hello sir; my wife retired last year and when doing our taxes, I entered the amount on her SSS-1099. It took us from a plus to owing 1850.00. this despite that doing the math on the back of the form was less than 32,000.
A: 13296. X .50 = B: 6648.00..C: 19981.38 E: 26,629.36. Any help is greatly appreciated. Jim
Hi Jim. I'm sorry, but my expertise is limited to Social Security benefits, not income tax regulations. You'll need to either consult a tax expert or the IRS if you have questions about your income taxes.
Best, Jerry
Category: Taxation Of Benefits
Posted: Mar 14 2023 - 1:14pm
