Ask Larry: Questions and Answers

Displaying 2651 - 2660 of 10063 questions.

What Do I Do?

I am 62 on SSD, after 2 years I was able to get Medicare Part A. I did not sign up for Plan B because my husband has insurance via.his employer. He lost his job, so lost our insurance. I was able to sign him up for Plan B with plan G insurance. I am being told that I have to have Plan B to get additional insurance. Trying to apply for that I am getting kicked out cause I'm only 62... what do I do?

Hi. I assume you'd want to sign up for Part B of Medicare, which you could likely do without penalty if you apply within 8 months of when your previous coverage . . . Read More

Category: Medicare
Posted: Apr 2 2021 - 8:44am

Will Survivor Benefits Be Reduced If The Surviving Spouse Is Receiving Their Own Benefits?

Is a spouse's survivor benefits limited if the surviving spouse has their own high retirement benefit.

In other words, if both spouses are receiving maximum benefits, will the survivor's benefits be reduced?

Hi. Yes. You can't collect more than one full Social Security benefit at the same time, so if you're already drawing your own benefits and if your spouse dies you could only be paid up to the higher of the two benefit rates.

Best, Jerry

Category: Survivor Benefits
Posted: Apr 1 2021 - 3:01pm

Am I Entitled To Benefits On My Deceased Ex-Spouse's Record?

I was married in 1982 divorced in 1990, we stayed together as man and wife divorced again in 1996. He has recently passed away am I entitled to spousal benifits?

Hi. I can't give you an answer based on the information in your question. First off, in order to potentially qualify for benefits on the record of a divorced spouse you must have been married for at least 10 continuous years. I don't know what you mean by 'staying together' as a man and wife following your divorce, but unless you were legally considered married under the laws of your state it . . . Read More

Category: Divorced Widow(er) Benefits
Posted: Apr 1 2021 - 2:41pm

Can A Person Who Earns $20K Per Year Draw A Widow's Pension From Their Ex-Spouse?

can a person who earns 20000.00 per year draw a widow pension from he ex-husband who is decease. We were married 10 years

Hi. Possibly, assuming that they are at least age 60 (or at least 50 & disabled) and either unmarried or they married after age 60 (https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/handbook/handbook.04/handbook-0403.html). However, at least some of their benefits would likely need to be withheld if they earn $20,000 this year and if they won't reach full retirement age ( . . . Read More

Category: Divorced Widow(er) Benefits
Posted: Mar 31 2021 - 6:08pm

How Do I Recover My Social Security Earnings?

I worked 15 years on the railroad before receiving an occupational disability. I am am now eligible for social security retirement based on previous occupations prior to working for the railroad. I am also receiving a public service pension through Ohio Police and Fire. How do I recover my social security earnings?
Thank you

Hi. You can't withdraw your Social Security contributions (i.e. taxes) if that's what you had in mind. You could, however, file for Social Security retirement benefits. However, if the pension you get from Ohio is based on your . . . Read More

Category: Railroad Retirement & Social Security
Posted: Mar 31 2021 - 5:45pm

Was I Required To Notify The Unemployment Agency When My Disability Benefits Were Reinstated?

I was released from prison Nov 2020 and my disability from SS was suspended. I applied for and got pandemic unemployment in Dec 2020 then last week in March I got reinstated on unemployment. the rules say you have to report and SSDI when you apply for unemployment and at that time I had 0. So my question is since the rules say nothing about reporting after you filed and I did not apply for SSDI since I got unemployment it was just reinstated. I am able and available to return to work so am I safe collecting both and I see nothing in TEXAS workforce commission rules that I have . . . Read More

Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Mar 31 2021 - 7:36am

What Is The Truth About When I Can Draw From My Ex-Husband's Social Security?

I am confused about when to take ss… My ex-husband is 7 months younger than me and the ss agent said I can’t take my half of his ss until he is 66 and 4 months… is it possible for me to take early benefits on my ss then switch to his? What is the truth about when I am eligible to take his? I don’t trust to ss agent’s advise - when I called she seemed to not understand my questions…

Hi. Your ex-husband wouldn't have to be full retirement age in order for you to qualify for divorced spousal benefits. A divorced spouse can potentially qualify for divorced . . . Read More

Category: Divorced Spousal Benefits
Posted: Mar 31 2021 - 7:00am

Can My Mother Still Look At Having Her SS Adjusted To Her Ex-Spouse's SS?

My mother retired and moved here to GA at 66. She was married for 30 years but divorced. Can she look at having her SS adjusted to her ex spouse’s even now? He lives in Indiana.

Hi. The states in which your mother and her ex-spouse live wouldn't be an issue, but whether or not she could qualify for divorced spousal benefits likely depends on the relative amounts of her and her ex's benefit rates. If your mother's ex is still living and assuming that your mother is already drawing her own benefits, she could only qualify for divorced spousal benefits if her . . . Read More

Category: Divorced Spousal Benefits
Posted: Mar 30 2021 - 3:32pm

Can I File For Survivor Benefits At Age 60 And Continue To Work?

Can I file for Survivor benefits at age 60 and continue to work and is there an income that I cannot exceed before Social Security deducts from the benefit amount? I was married for more then 10 years, divorced then he passed away.

Hi. You can potentially claim surviving divorced spousal benefits as early as age 60, but if you earn too much your benefits would be subject to full or partial withholding until you reach full retirement age (FRA). If you claim benefits before FRA, Social Security will withhold $1 of your benefits for every $2 that you earn . . . Read More

Category: Earnings Test
Posted: Mar 30 2021 - 10:32am

When I Reach Full Retirement Age Should I Withdraw My Own Benefit And Claim Benefits On My Ex-Husband's Record?

I am 65 and have been divorced for many years after a 20 year marriage. I believe it was at 62 that I went on social security disability. When I reach my full retirement age at 66 and x months do I withdraw my own benefit and claim a benefit on my ex husband's record? He made a lot more money than I ever did.

Thank you

Hi. My answer assumes that your ex-husband is living. You wouldn't want to withdraw your disability claim because you'd then be required to pay back all of the benefits that you've already been paid. What you could do instead is . . . Read More

Category: Divorced Spousal Benefits
Posted: Mar 30 2021 - 10:11am
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