Can My Wife Draw Spousal Benefits Instead Of Disability When I File?
My wife receives SSA Disability Benefits ($948). She is (aage 60) 1 year younger than I am (age 59). If I start my benefits at FRA (age 67), will she be eligible to receive Spousal Benefits on my amount ($2617) instead?
Hi,
Your wife couldn't stop drawing her own benefits and draw spousal benefits instead, but it sounds like she might be eligible for an excess spousal benefit in the future. Your wife's Social Security disability benefits will convert to regular Social Security retirement benefits when she reaches full retirement age (FRA). When you . . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: Feb 3 2020 - 12:56pm
Can I Draw Off Of My Ex-Husband Even Though I've Remarried?
Me and my first husband were married 18 years. Had 2 children together. We divorced and 3 months later he died. The kids drew on him but because we were divor ed I didn't draw anything. I will be 60 in a couple weeks. Can I draw off him then even thou I have married again
Hi,
If you've remarried and you're still married, then no you couldn't draw on your ex-husband's record for as long as your current marriage continues. If you previously remarried but you're no longer married, then yes it sounds like you could potentially qualify for surviving . . . Read More
Category: Survivor Benefits
Posted: Feb 3 2020 - 12:49pm
How Much Would My Wife Receive If I Die?
My wife is 67 she has no social security credits. I am 80 years old. If
I should die, how much would my wife receive???
Hi,
Since your wife has already reached full retirement age, she'd be eligible for your full benefit rate as a widow.
Best, Jerry
Category: Widow's Benefits
Posted: Feb 2 2020 - 3:54pm
Will The Age 62 Estimate I Received From Social Security Still Be The Same When I Apply In 4 Years?
I retired from the post office in September of 2018. I have not and do not plan to work during my retirement. Will the estimate I received from SSA for benefits at age 62 still be the same when I apply for them in 4 years.
Hi,
Probably not exactly. Social Security benefits are based on an average of your highest 35 years of wage-indexed earnings on which you paid Social Security taxes (https://www.ssa.gov/oact/cola/awifactors.html). Your earnings will be indexed based on the average wage . . . Read More
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Feb 2 2020 - 3:25pm
If My Wife Dies Before I Do, Can I Collect Her Full Benefit Amount?
I am 75. I began collecting SS when I was 66.
My wife is 71. She began collecting a spousal benefit against my SS when she was 66.
We have been married for 31 years.
She let her benefit grow until she was 70 (last year) and then began collecting her own.
Her benefit grew beyond mine because of that delay.
My question is; if she dies before I do, can I collect her full benefit amount or must I stay with mine?
Hi,
Yes, if your wife dies before you you'd be eligible for the higher of your benefit rate or your wife's benefit . . . Read More
Category: Widow(er) Benefits
Posted: Feb 2 2020 - 3:15pm
Will Returning To Work Impact My Current Social Security?
I am 79 years old. I am drawing about $2200 Social Security per month. I am going back to work. Will this impact my current Social Security?
Hi,
Returning to work definitely wouldn't have a negative effect your benefits, and it could even result in a higher benefit rate if you're receiving benefits based on your own work record and if you earn more in a year than you did in one of your previous highest 35 years of wage-indexed earnings (https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10070.pdf).
Best, Jerry . . . Read More
Category: Retirement Benefits
Posted: Feb 2 2020 - 3:06pm
Will My Wife Qualify For Half Of My Benefit Rate When I Start Drawing?
My wife has no social security credits to her records. I am beyound FRA and have not strated collecting my benifit. When I do start will she qualify to draw half the amount I am entitled to?
Hi,
The maximum amount that your wife could potentially draw as a spouse while you're living would be equal to 50% of your primary insurance amount (PIA). A person's PIA is equal to the amount of their Social Security retirement benefit if they start drawing at full retirement age (FRA).
Your wife could not qualify for spousal benefits at least until you . . . Read More
Category: Spousal Benefits
Posted: Feb 2 2020 - 2:54pm
Can I Draw My Wife's Social Security If She Passes Away?
Can I draw her social security she pass away be for she could collect her married. For 40 years l collect I am 79 years old.
Hi,
If your wife is at least full retirement age (FRA) and one of you dies, the survivor would be eligible for the higher of your 2 benefit rates.
Best, Jerry
Category: Survivor Benefits
Posted: Feb 2 2020 - 2:48pm
Is The Amount That My Wife Will Receive At 62 Calculated Before Or After My WEP Is Computed?
Hi Larry, I have a state teachers retirement and 24 quality years against the WEP I will encounter when I apply. My question is about the amount my wife will receive at 62. Is it calculated before or after my WEP is calculated?
Hi,
After, assuming that you're referring to spousal benefits. Any reduction resulting from the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) would affect your primary insurance amount (PIA), which is equal to the amount of your Social Security retirement benefit rate if you start drawing at full retirement age (FRA). And, since . . . Read More
Category: Non-Covered Pension - WEP / GPO
Posted: Feb 1 2020 - 5:27pm
Does Nontaxable Short Disability Pay That Appears In Box 12 Of A W-2 Count As Earnings For The Earnings Test?
Does nontaxable short disability payments that appear in box 12 code J on a W-2 (other boxes are blank) from an insurance company count as earnings for the earnings test? Also if in my last month of employment before going part time, I was on leave receiving sick pay, would that pay count towards the $1470 (2019) monthly limit?
Hi,
According to the IRS website, entries in block 12 of a W-2 with the code you mention are classified as nontaxable sick pay. Therefore, my assumption is that the payment would not count for Social Security earnings test . . . Read More
Category: Earnings Test
Posted: Jan 31 2020 - 7:17pm