Is It True That I'll Get No U.S. Social Security Benefits Due To WEP?
I am 65 and when I look under my SS benefits, it tells me I am entitled to small benefit. I have been on social security disability from Germany for the last 6 years. ( not a ton of money either). I read now something about WEP, which would mean I would not get nothing from SS in the US or even less from my SS disability from Germany, I do not pay taxes on my SS disability in Germany. Is this true?
Hi,
Not exactly. As long as you qualify for U.S. Social Security benefits based on your own work record your benefit rate would never be reduced to zero, . . . Read More
Category: Non-Covered Pension - WEP / GPO
Posted: Jan 22 2020 - 2:08pm
Will I Need To File For My Wife To Draw From My Account?
When I turn 62 this year will l need to file for my wife she is 69 now what do we need to do to get her to draw from my retirement
Hi,
Your wife couldn't qualify for spousal benefits until you file for and start drawing your Social Security retirement benefits. And, if you file for benefits prior to full retirement age (FRA) both your benefits and any spousal benefits payable on your record could be subject to full or partial withholding if you're working and you earn more than the amount allowed under Social Security's earnings test ( . . . Read More
Category: Spousal Benefits
Posted: Jan 22 2020 - 8:10am
Can My Wife File And Suspend At Age 62 So That I Can Be Paid Spousal Benefits?
I have purchased your book and software but I am still not confident on the following on whether it is possible and/or beneficial for us to do. I will be 67 at the end of this month and my wife will be 62 at end of july. my plan is to not file on my social security until age 70. we are both working and our plan is for us both to retire sometime in 2021. your software shows that my annual amount at age 70 is estimated at $42,410 and my wife filing on my social security at her age 66 1/2 would be $14,359. my question is can she file at age 62 and suspend and allow me to file on . . . Read More
Category: Filing Strategies
Posted: Jan 22 2020 - 7:45am
Will Social Security Give My Son Disabled Child's Benefits From My Record?
Hi Larry, if I may, I have a few questions.
I am married with a disabled child who was disabled before age 22. I will be electing to take early retirement this April (Birth Month) at 62. My PIA is $1,149. My reduced benefit would be $828./monthly. Auxiliary Benefits for other family members are $862./monthly, with a Family Member Benefit (FMB) of $1,724./monthly. My wife will be 60 in February and will continue to work.
My child, disabled since birth, has collected SSI since he was four. His Special Education School assisted him with the SSA’s Ticket to Work . . . Read More
Category: Family Benefit Maximum
Posted: Jan 21 2020 - 4:00pm
When Should I File For My Social Security?
I will be 65 in September when should I file for my social security
Hi,
Your best filing strategy depends on numerous different factors & variables. You should strongly consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to fully explore and analyze your options so that you can choose the best possible strategy to maximize your benefits.
Best, Jerry
Category: Filing Strategies
Posted: Jan 21 2020 - 3:56pm
Am I Correct About How My Family's Benefits Would Be Calculated?
I plan to file for SS at age 62, this year. My estimate for early retirement is $1986/mon. Full retirement amount shows $2755. I have a disabled daughter presently 35 but disabled pretty much from birth. When I called the SS office, I was giving an approximate amount for my daughter somewhere in the $900 figure. I have read in your forum that child benefit could be based on 50% of my full retirement amount. I was expecting to hear a figure of around $1377.5 based on my full retirement. My family max is $4822. My question is; am I correct
and where can I find the correct . . . Read More
Category: Family Benefit Maximum
Posted: Jan 20 2020 - 2:15pm
Why Can't I Receive Anything From My Husband's Record If My Earnings Were Higher Than His?
Im receivibg my soc sec for what I worked but never received a penny from my husband sec after he died. They told me that if my earnings were higher I would not qualify for his. How come?
Hi,
I'm sorry for your loss.
The simple fact is that if you apply for more than one type of Social Security benefit (e.g. retirement and spousal, retirement and survivor), you can only be paid what amounts to the higher of the 2 benefit rates. So, if you're already drawing your own Social Security retirement benefits and your spouse dies, you can only receive . . . Read More
Category: Survivor Benefits
Posted: Jan 20 2020 - 1:50pm
Am I Entitled To Some Benefits If My Ex-Husband Is On Disability?
My ex husband has been on disability for 18 years. We were married for 12. Am I entitled to some benefits also?
Hi,
Possibly, but in order to qualify for divorced spousal benefits you'd need to a) be unmarried and b) either be at least age 62 or have a child in your care who is eligible for child's benefits on your ex's record and who is disabled or under age 16.
Best, Jerry
Category: Divorced Spousal Benefits
Posted: Jan 20 2020 - 7:52am
Can I Potentially Start, Stop, And Restart My Benefits More Than Once?
Start Stop and Start Strategy: I am single turning 66 in 2020. I am full time employed earning 75,000 a year gross. I have 18,000 worth of credit card debt. Every month I pay close to $800 in Visa payments and can't seem to get ahead. I was unemployed for awhile and thus the huge credit card debt. I plan to work until 70. 1) Does it make sense to start claiming my social security payments to pay of the debt? Once paid, I would like to stop/suspend my social security benefits until I am 70 to let them grow with delayed retirement credits. 2) If I lose my job again, can I start . . . Read More
Category: Start-Stop-Start Strategy
Posted: Jan 19 2020 - 5:29pm
Can I Take My Own Social Security Benefits Now And Then Switch To Half Of My Husband's Benefit When He Files?
I am 62 & my husband is 68. He plans to delay taking social security until he is 70. Can I take social security now based on my own earnings & then switch to taking half of my husband's benefit (based on his earnings) when he begins taking social security benefits at age 70? Is my benefit then based on what his benefit would have been at his full retirement age (66) or what he will get by waiting until he is 70?
Hi,
No. You can never switch to drawing just a spousal benefit after you've started drawing your own benefits. And, if you start . . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: Jan 19 2020 - 12:04pm
