Ask Larry: Questions and Answers

Displaying 4371 - 4380 of 10063 questions.

Can I Draw On My Deceased Wife's Social Security?

I am 72 years old I have been drawing Social security since I was 60 to my wife passed away at 53 years old can I draw on her social security now or can I get part of her so security now

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.

The surviving member of a couple can't be paid any more than the higher of a) their own Social Security retirement benefit rate, or b) their widow(er) benefit rate. Therefore, assuming that you're currently drawing your own Social Security retirement benefits, the only way that you could qualify for additional benefits on your wife . . . Read More

Category: Widow(er) Benefits
Posted: Nov 5 2019 - 1:19pm

When My Father Dies Can He Leave Me Survivor Benefits?

I am currently on disability and am 60. My dad is 88. When he dies, can he leave me survivor benefits because I am disabled?

Hi,

Social Security benefits are not an asset that can be willed to someone when you die. The only way that you might be able to receive Social Security benefits on your father's record is if you qualify for disabled adult child's (DAC) benefits. And, in order to potentially qualify for DAC benefits you must have become disabled prior to age 22 ( . . . Read More

Category: Survivor Benefits
Posted: Nov 4 2019 - 5:27pm

Will I Lose Any Of My Widow's Benefits If I Change My Last Name?

I have talked to you before about me an my fiance getting married and how it would affect our benefits, we are both 68. You said it would not affect either of us, an I did go down to Social Security and show them the message between us. But I forgot one question to ask them or you, we are planning on getting married the 7th of Dec, my question is. Will I lose any of my widow's benefits if my last name changes from my current name to my new married name?

Hi,

No, changing your name would not have any effect on your widow's benefits.

Best, Jerry . . . Read More

Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Nov 4 2019 - 5:24pm

If I File For Spousal Benefits Now At Age 64 Would It Impact My Possible Widow's Benefit?

Hi Larry,
my husband took his social security early, at 62 years old. He is now 64. He is very ill. As his wife, I did not take spousal social security yet, nor have I applied for social security. The windfall provision may apply to me since I have worked under the German system in my life, as well as our United States system.. My question is.........if I took my social security now, meaning the spousal social security, would it impact on the possible widow social security? Would it impact in a negative way for me? Should I just wait and not apply for spousal social . . . Read More

Category: Widow's Benefits
Posted: Nov 4 2019 - 2:36pm

Could My Mother Get Her Own Retirement Benefits And Her Survivor Benefits?

My mother is 70 and retired. She and my father divorced in 1997. He died 2 years later. Mom is currently receiving survivor benefits of $926 after deductions. Can she also get her retirement benefits of $655?

Hi,

No. Your mother can only be paid the higher of a) her own Social Security retirement benefit rate, or b) her widow's rate. If your mother files for her own Social Security retirement benefits they would offset her widow's benefits dollar for dollar. So, there's likely no point in her applying for her own benefits if her own benefit rate . . . Read More

Category: Filing Options
Posted: Nov 4 2019 - 2:29pm

Will I Be Able To Receive My Ex-Husband's Benefits?

Will I receive my husband social security benefit after we divorced in 1999 I have not remarried but he has remarried.. who will get the social security check the first wife are the second wife.. I get an SSI check because I cannot work.. please help me..

Hi,

It sounds like you could potentially qualify for divorced spousal benefits as early as age 62 if all of the following are true:
1) You were married for at least 10 years;
2) You are currently unmarried;
3) Your ex-spouse paid into Social Security long enough to qualify for . . . Read More

Category: Divorced Spousal Benefits
Posted: Nov 4 2019 - 2:12pm

Does My Benefit Rate Increase Automatically?

Hello, I am 67 years old and when I turned 65 I had delayed getting SSA benefits because I understood that with each year I wait, the benefit amount grows by about 8 percent or so. However, does this growth happen automatically, or was I supposed to somehow activate my SSA benefits at 65 but then pause/freeze it until I am ready to start collecting in a couple of years? I don't see anywhere in my SSA account/mailings that would reflect this ~8 percent yearly increase. Question 2: my wife is soon turning 65, but her own SSA would be very low since she did not work much. When she . . . Read More

Category: Filing Strategies
Posted: Nov 4 2019 - 12:50pm

Will I Lose My Widow's Benefits If I Remarry?

I know you have covered this before, I am 73 years young and collecting SS from my first spouse marriage he is deceased and I am planning to remarry soon, will I lose my widow's retirement SS when I remarry? or should I just have a spiritual wedding?

Hi,

No need to worry. Marriages that occur after you reach age 60 have no effect on either your eligibility for widow's or surviving divorced spousal benefits nor your benefit rate. So, since you're already over age 60 you won't lose your widow's benefit if you remarry.

Best, Jerry

Category: Widow's Benefits
Posted: Nov 4 2019 - 12:43pm

Is It Correct That I'm Being Paid Two Separate Checks?

I have been receiving disability for 3 years. My husband died suddenly last year. I began to get two separate checks. Disability and widows benefit. Is this correct or was this an error ?! In December I will be 65. Will this change at that time.?

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.

I can't say for sure, but it sounds like what you're receiving is probably correct. If a person is already receiving Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits and later becomes entitled to a higher widow's or disabled widow's rate, they continue to be paid their SSDI . . . Read More

Category: Widow's Benefits
Posted: Nov 3 2019 - 2:09pm

Is My Sister-In-Law Entitled To Any Social Security Benefits?

My brother passed away suddenly at age 59. His wife just turned 60. Is she entitled to any social security benefits? I believe she stopped working about 20 years ago when their youngest child was born.

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.

Assuming that your brother was insured for Social Security benefits, his wife would likely qualify immediately for at least a one-time $255 death benefit. She could also apply for monthly widow's benefits since she's at least age 60, but her benefit rate would be reduced for age if she starts drawing her widow's . . . Read More

Category: Widow's Benefits
Posted: Nov 2 2019 - 3:32pm
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