Ask Larry: Questions and Answers | Maximize My Social Security

Displaying 4181 - 4190 of 10063 questions.

Why Is My Wife's Online Application Missing A Question?

Larry,

Just following up on an earlier question. Online response is fine; no need to email me directly.

I filed online this morning for my own SS benefits. I turn 68 in March. Having read your book in some depth, I answered “No” to the question “If eligible for both retirement and spouses’ benefits, delay receipt of retirement benefits.” I also requested benefits to start in April, 2020, and also added Remarks to that effect, and as recommended in your book I also added a statement that I was applying for retirement benefits and did not want any retroactive . . . Read More

Category: Filing For Benefits
Posted: Jan 30 2020 - 11:25am

Why Can My Ex-Spouse Keep Drawing Money Off Of Me?

I was married 32 years got hurt at work went on disability 2005. 2009 we divorced why can she keep drawing money off me shes been getting it for 10 years

Hi,

Divorced spouses can potentially qualify for benefits on their ex-spouse's record if they are at least age 62, currently unmarried and they were married to their ex-spouse for at least 10 years. The ex-spouse on whose record they claim benefits must also be either be a) drawing Social Security disability or retirement benefits, or b) at least age 62 and their divorce has been final for at least . . . Read More

Category: Divorced Spousal Benefits
Posted: Jan 29 2020 - 2:17pm

Can My Wife Suspend Her Benefits And Claim Half Of Mine?

I am turning 70 in June 2020 and will be applying for SS to begin when I turn 70. My spouse is 66 1/2 years and she has been getting SS for last 3 years. Can I suspend her SS benefit and claim 1/2 of mine since i am highest earner of the two. Or what is the best way to maximize SS benefit for both of us?
Thanks,

Hi,

No, your wife cannot suspend her own benefits and be paid spousal benefits instead. What she could do, though, is apply file for an excess spousal when you file for you your benefits. If she qualifies, the excess spousal benefit . . . Read More

Category: Filing Strategies
Posted: Jan 29 2020 - 1:20pm

If I Claim And Suspend My Benefits Can My Wife Receive Spousal Benefits?

Hi Larry, we enjoy your "Get What's Yours…" book, and would appreciate your advice. I was born in Oct. 1954, so I am not eligible for spousal benefits, but my wife (born in Nov. 1953) is eligible for "restricted" ones and she is 66. We both would like to receive our maximal SS benefits at 70, but we need some additional income before we reach 70. If I claim and suspend (until 70) my SS retirement benefits now (at 65) or in October 2020 (when I am 66, FRA), can my wife apply for her spousal benefit to receive 50% of what I am entitled? Would it work if I keep suspending . . . Read More

Category: Filing Options
Posted: Jan 29 2020 - 1:03pm

Can My Mother Draw Some Money From Her Ex-Spouse's Social Security?

My mom married a man that had been in a marriage for 10 plus years and divorced. So him and my mother was married for 5 yrs and divorced can she draw some of his social security?

Hi,

If I'm understanding you correctly, then no. Your mother would need to have been married to her ex-husband for at least 10 years prior to their divorce in order to potentially qualify for divorced spousal benefits (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/divspouse.html).

Best, Jerry

Category: Divorced Spousal Benefits
Posted: Jan 28 2020 - 5:56pm

Can I Claim Benefits On My Current Husband's Record Now And Then Claim Benefits On My Deceased Husband's Record At Age 67?

I was born in 1959. I've been married for 1 year and 2 months. My husband collected Social Security benefits at that time. My husband passed away and after 6 years I re-married. I'm still working, but I consider retirement because of my health issues and according to SS website, my benefits would be really low because my income was low in the past and then I fell sick fighting for my life, missed work. My question is: can I claim Social Security benefits on behalf of my current husband now and when I reach 67 to claim on behalf of my 1st late husband? Or shall I better wait . . . Read More

Category: Filing Options
Posted: Jan 27 2020 - 5:39pm

When Should I Take My Social Security?

Hopefully this won't be too complicated. Here is my situation. I have not signed up for SSI yet. I lost my job last June 30th. I just turned 65 last December. I still haven’t been able to get employment at this point and it’s not looking good. I have no other significant income. I just went online to check my monthly amount that I would receive at my full retirement age of 66 and it was $2879 a month. First question, will this amount decrease the longer I wait to take SSI, since I only worked a half a year in 2019 and possibly not at all in 2020?

I know if I am working . . . Read More

Category: Filing Strategies
Posted: Jan 27 2020 - 5:19pm

When Will My Husband Be Eligible To Draw Off Of My Social Security?

My full retirement age is August, 2021, however I am being disabled by medical doctor due long standing lower back problems. It was our intent for my husband, who is already retired, to draw off of my earnings when I retired. Should I just take early retirement now, which will cost us ~$500/month or go ahead with disability and then have him draw off my social security when it would be eligible for him to draw off? When will he be eligible to draw off my social security if I elect disability? Thank you so much for your help.

Hi,

Assuming that your . . . Read More

Category: Spousal Benefits
Posted: Jan 27 2020 - 5:03pm

Is It True That I Can't Get Survivor Benefits If I Earn More Than $18,000 This Year?

My husband passed away Dec 26, 2019. He was 58, I will be 65 this April. I am not ready to retire yet but everyone I know seems to think that I am eligible for survivor benefits, however, when I went to our local SS office I was told that unless I made $18,000 or less a year I am not eligible. Thank you.

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.

It sounds like what you were told by Social Security isn't the full story. First off, the Social Security earnings test exempt amount for people who won't reach full retirement age (FRA) until after 2020 is $18,240 . . . Read More

Category: Survivor Benefits
Posted: Jan 27 2020 - 1:52pm

How Much Will I Receive For SSI?

How much will I receive for SSi. I turned 53 receiving DISABILITY benefits.

Hi,

SSI is the abbreviation commonly used for Supplemental Security Income, which is a needs based benefit administered by the Social Security Administration. The amount of SSI benefits for which a person can qualify depends on their other income (if any), but the current maximum monthly SSI payment is $783.

On the other hand, if you're referring to Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits those benefit rates vary depending on a person's earnings history. There is . . . Read More

Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: Jan 27 2020 - 7:22am

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