Is There Any Reason Due To The Deemed Filing Rules That My Wife Should Wait Until I Reach FRA To Apply For Her Benefits?
Hi Larry. I really look forward to your Ask Encore columns. You always seem to select pertinent questions and provide comprehensible answers. My wife is 21 months older than me. She will reach her full retirement age in June 2020. Her individual SS retirement benefit based on her own work history will be considerably smaller than her spousal benefit based on my work history. I reach my SS full retirement age in January 2023, but I don't plan on applying for my individual benefit (and thereby triggering her eligibility for a spousal benefit) until I reach age 70 in September . . . Read More
Category: Filing Strategies
Posted: Nov 6 2019 - 5:52pm
Does The Zip Code From Which I File For Social Security Affect What I'll Be Paid?
Does the zip code from which I file for Social Security have any impact, other than taxes, on the benefit I'll be paid?
Hi,
No. Social Security is a federal program. Where you live and where you apply for benefits has no bearing on your benefit rate.
Best, Jerry
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Nov 6 2019 - 11:00am
Can The Welfare Office Use My Children's Survivor Benefits Against Me When I Apply For Food Stamps?
Can The welfare office use my children’s survivors benefits that they receive as income against me when applying for food stamps I do not receive anything on the survivors benefits only the children
Hi,
I'm sorry, but I'm unable to answer your question. My expertise is limited to Social Security benefits, and I'm not familiar with the regulations governing food stamps.
Best, Jerry
Category: Public Assistance Payments
Posted: Nov 6 2019 - 10:56am
Will My Husband Still Be Eligible For Social Security If He Never Goes Back To Work?
My husband stopped working to take care of his elderly parents at age 58 he is still taking care of them if he never goes back to work will he be eligible for SSN when he turns either 62 or 65?
Hi,
Yes, as long as your husband has at least 40 quarters of Social Security coverage (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/credits.html) he could qualify for Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62. However, Social Security retirement benefits are calculated based on an average of a person's . . . Read More
Category: Retirement Benefits
Posted: Nov 6 2019 - 10:46am
What Happens To Your Social Security When You Die?
What happens to your Social security when the recipient dies.Is the balance passed on to your spouse or does it just shut down
Hi,
Social Security is an insurance program. As such, paying into Social Security doesn't guarantee that you will receive anything in return. The Social Security taxes that you pay do not go into a personal account that can be passed on to anyone after you die. The only way that you can receive payments based on the contributions (i.e. taxes) that you pay into the program is if you qualify for Social Security disability or . . . Read More
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Nov 6 2019 - 10:33am
When Can I Apply For Spousal Benefits?
I have been married since 2003. Inb2016 he disappeared I honestly have no idea where he is or if he is alive. Right now due to a car accident and Dr mistake I am disabled and drawing SSD. He is 57 and my question I guess is what/when can I apply for spousal benefits. (I am 47) raising a 14yo and trying to do it all. I am so unsure of how this works and saw your post so I am hoping to get a little advice on what to do. Thank you for understanding this crazy situation. Nimmi
Hi Nimmi,
To qualify for spousal benefits your spouse would need to either be . . . Read More
Category: Spousal Benefits
Posted: Nov 6 2019 - 10:20am
Could I Start Drawing Benefits From My Ex's Record Now?
I was married for 28yrs before my divorce and the judge told my ex that I am the only woman to receive his retirement and I was awarded disability in 2016 and draw 772 a month, I'm 62 now also my ex is 64 and he became disabled and drawing his social security now and drawing over 2,000.00 could I start drawing from him now or do I have to wait until I'm 65? Sharon
Hi Sharon,
It sounds like you could start drawing on your ex's record now, but if you file for divorced spousal benefits prior to your full retirement age (FRA) your divorced spousal rate . . . Read More
Category: Divorced Spousal Benefits
Posted: Nov 5 2019 - 3:20pm
Will The Upcoming Increases In The CFM Allow My Wife's Child-In-Care Spousal Benefit To Increase?
Hi Larry,
My wife filed for her RIB at age 62 earlier this year. Our disabled adult child filed for a DAC benefit based on my wife's record at the same time. I have now turned 62 and have filed for my RIB. Our disabled adult child's DAC benefit has now been switched to my record and my wife has filed for a child-in-care spousal benefit on my record. Technically, my DAC and child-in-care spouse should each be entitled to an unreduced benefit of 50% of my PIA, even though I claimed my benefit early. Since our DAC is simultaneously entitled on both our records, we were able . . . Read More
Category: Family Benefit Maximum
Posted: Nov 5 2019 - 2:56pm
Can I Draw My Deceased Husband's Disability?
Hi I'm 52 years old and my husband died last year he was drawing supplemental income because of he didn't pay enough in to get the other . His was the only income . I have applied for disability myself and was denied. I have been mentally unable to reapply do to loosing him. I am pretty much homeless and unable to work . Can I draw his disability?
Hi,
I'm sorry for your loss.
I wish that I could give you better news, but the answer to your question is no. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a needs based benefit that can be paid to people . . . Read More
Category: Supplemental Security Income
Posted: Nov 5 2019 - 2:31pm
Could My Husband Be Paid Benefits From My Record If I Die Before Him?
I am a natural born US citizen. My husband had green card status in the mid 80s. He worked & paid into social security until 2010 when he became 100% disabled after spine surgery. Early 1990s, he got in a domestic fight & convicted of a felony assault, served time & was deported. He later returned to the US & ended up in immigration court where was allowed by the judge to remain in the US, due to the fact that his father was US citizen by birth,, although we cannot produce enough proof of his father's work records here to satisfy the 10 year proof of work . . . Read More
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Nov 5 2019 - 2:09pm
