Are There Strategies To Consider Regarding The Conversion Of Disability Benefits To Retirement Benefits?
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe your software is for SSA retirement benefits and does not deal with SSA disability benefits. I'm trying to find someone who can explain the process of converting from disability to retirement benefits. All the SSA says is this happens automatically at FRA. But, prior to becoming disabled, I was planning to wait until age 70 to claim retirement as, among other things, my wife is 8 years younger then me. Anyway, I'm trying to find some SSA expert who can tell me if there are strategies to delay the conversion from disability to retirement . . . Read More
Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: Apr 12 2021 - 10:38am
If I File At Age 62 Will My Spouse Qualify For An Additional Spousal Benefit?
Hi Larry: If I file early at 62 will my spouse qualify for an additional spousal benefit? Her current benefit (based upon the WEP) is less than 50% of my projected benefit.
Hi. Your wife could only qualify for spousal benefits in addition to her own benefits if your primary insurance amount (PIA) is more than twice as much as her PIA. A person's PIA is equal to their Social Security retirement benefit rate if they start drawing their benefits at full retirement age (FRA).
Even if your wife would qualify for a spousal benefit, though, if the non- . . . Read More
Category: Spousal Benefits
Posted: Apr 12 2021 - 10:15am
Can I Draw Off Of My Ex-Husband's Record If We Were Married For Seven Years?
Can I draw off of my ex husband being married for seven years?
Hi. The only way that you could qualify for benefits from the Social Security account of an ex-spouse from whom you were divorced and married to for less than 10 years is if your ex-spouse is deceased and if you have a child in your care who qualifies for child benefits on your ex's record and who's either under age 16 or disabled.
Best, Jerry
Category: Divorced Spousal Benefits
Posted: Apr 11 2021 - 8:05pm
Could My Child And I Be Drawing Off Of My Ex-Spouse's Account?
I been disabled for over 20 years and receiving SSDI, on my account, my ex husband and I divorced almost 2 years ago and he’s still working at the age of 57 almost 32 years at this job. We have one minor child left at home That I have custody of age 16. Is there some benefits we could be drawing off of the ex spouses account we could be receiving and how do we go about it? Thanks
Hi. Your ex-spouse would have to either be deceased or drawing Social Security retirement or disability benefits in order for you or your child to potentially qualify for benefits . . . Read More
Category: Divorced Spousal Benefits
Posted: Apr 11 2021 - 7:49pm
Am I Entitled To Anything Further On My Own Record?
I started receiving Social Security survivors benefits at age 62 after my husband died. I will be 68 this year and wonder if I am entitled to any further benefits on my own work record. I thought I read something about being born before 1954 but didn’t understand it. I was born in 1953. Can you help? Thank you for your time
Hi. I'm sorry for your loss. Being born prior to 1954 is only significant if a person is potentially eligible for both Social Security retirement benefits based on their own work record and for spousal or divorced benefits on the record . . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: Apr 11 2021 - 4:05pm
If My Wife Switches From Spousal Benefits To Her Own Benefits Retroactively, Will Social Security Recover What She Was Paid For Those Months From Her Back Pay?
If my wife is receiving spousal benefits, and files to switch to her retirement benefit only, and retroactive 6 months, will social security recover her spousal amount she received for those last six months, before they pay her the lump sum ? Thank you, Jim
Hi Jim. Yes. If your wife's been drawing spousal benefits and applies to switch to her own higher benefits retroactively, Social Security would only pay her the difference between her own benefit rate and her spousal rate for any months that she's already been paid spousal benefits. It sounds like your . . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: Apr 11 2021 - 11:13am
Is It Normal Operating Procedure For Social Security Agents To Try To Get You To Start Your Benefits Sooner?
I am a male born in 1955 and am currently applying for my SS retirement benefit. A few weeks after making my application online I received an email from the SSA saying I needed to talk to an intake agent before my application could be further processed. When I contacted the agent the reason was that they wanted me to take my benefit 4 months earlier than I requested. The agent actually implied that I was stupid for not doing this and "was leaving money on the table". WHY would they do this and is this the SSA's normal operating procedure?
Hi. I worked for . . . Read More
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Apr 11 2021 - 10:47am
Am I Missing Something?
I just turned 70 in March. I've been receiving a spousal benefit since 66. I applied to receive my own benefit starting March 1st. However, I received a phone call from Social Security about getting retroactive benefits back to Sept 2020. I don't see any benefit to this. I would get a llump amount but about $102 less in benefits. Am I missing why any healthy person would take that option?
Hi. There are circumstances (e.g. poor health with no potential for survivor payments) where it might be advantageous to opt for a retroactive payment in lieu of a higher . . . Read More
Category: Filing Strategies
Posted: Apr 10 2021 - 5:43pm
Can I File On My Wife's Record At Age 62 And File On My Own At Age 67?
My wife is 67 and has been drawing Social Security since 62. I am 60 . Can I file on her benefits @ 62 and then file on my own at 67 and it not affect my FRA at 67?
Hi. No. Only people born prior to January 2 1954 are allowed to apply for spousal benefits without also being required to file for their own benefits at the same time, and even they can only do so if they apply for spousal benefits at full retirement age (FRA) or later. Since you were born after January 1 1954, whenever you file for either spousal benefits or your own Social Security . . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: Apr 10 2021 - 3:21pm
When Would My Benefit Rate Go Up To The Next Level?
Just turned 68, trying to decide if I should take my benefits now at $2100 monthly or wait 2 years and get $2,400 monthly . When or what month does the monthly benefit go up to the next level/dollar amount ? I don’t want to sign up in June for $2100 and find out if I waited till September, I could have received $2250. Thanks
Hi. If you start drawing Social Security retirement benefits at your full retirement age (FRA), your benefit rate is equal to 100% of your primary insurance amount (PIA). For each month that you wait past FRA to start drawing your . . . Read More
Category: Delayed Retirement Credits
Posted: Apr 10 2021 - 12:57pm
