Will My Widow's Benefit Rate Be Based On What My Husband Earned, Or What He Could Have Earned?
Hello, my husband was on S.S. disability for around a year when he passed away at age 33. my kids and I got survivors benefits for several years and now I am nearing age 60 and have not remarried. I have been told that I can claim widow benefits also,and if so will it be based on what he could have made or on what he previously made. I still plan on working as long as I am able.
Hi,
I'm sorry for your loss.
Your widow's benefit rate would be based on your husband's actual earnings, not projected amounts that he may have earned if he had lived . . . Read More
Category: Widow's Benefits
Posted: Nov 1 2019 - 5:45pm
Should I File For SS Disability Benefits, Or Regular Retirement Benefits, Or Both?
I am 62 1/2 yrs, born January, 1957. I have been out of work since July 2019. I have required work credits and in fact have worked 2 jobs up until 2016, now I can't even work one job. I am applying for social security disability. Since I cannot function, I thought I would retire from my position and receive my company pension, since this will not be enough monies to live on I don't know how to proceed. Should I file for SS disability first, then regular social security so I can at least have a little more money come in monthly? Or do I just wait to see if I get denied then file . . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: Nov 1 2019 - 9:39am
Will My Benefit Amount Be Reevaluated Annually To Include My New Salary?
I start ed taking my SS benefits at full retirement age. But i started a new position with a salary increase. Will my SS benefits amount be reevaluated up annually to include my new salary?
Hi,
Yes, your Social Security retirement benefit rate can be recomputed following any year in which you have Social Security covered earnings. Your earnings would have to be higher than in one of your previous 35 highest wage- indexed earnings years in order to result in a benefit increase, however.
Social Security automatically recomputes benefit rates on . . . Read More
Category: Retirement Benefits
Posted: Nov 1 2019 - 9:31am
Can My Grandfather's SSDI Benefits Be Terminated If He Took Out A Loan?
My grandfather who is getting SSDI had got a loan for the amount of 650.00 dollars from money key and he did not pay them back its been a year and now he is receiving phone calls regarding the repayment of the installment loan and what the other person on the other end really upset the family . The representative from money key stated that she was going to report my grandfather for getting the loan and she stated that his benefits would be terminated for that reason. I did look up the guidelines under the loan and it clearly states that no creditor loan or credit card in not . . . Read More
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Oct 31 2019 - 8:15am
Can I Collect Off Of My Ex-Husband Now Or Do I Have To Wait Until I'm 62?
I was told I could collect social security off my ex husband since we had been married over 10 years and I never remarried. He passed away a couple months ago. Can I start collecting now or do I have to wait till I'm 62?
Hi,
You don't mention your current age so I can't tell you whether or not you could be eligible for survivor benefits now. You must normally be at least age 60 to qualify for surviving divorced spousal benefits, although you can potentially qualify as early as age 50 if you're disabled ( . . . Read More
Category: Divorced Widow(er) Benefits
Posted: Oct 31 2019 - 8:06am
Can My Friend Collect Her Incarcerated Husband's Social Security?
My friends husband is incarcerated since 2014 at age 69. My friend his wife will turn 62 in 2022. Can she collect his social security since it is larger? If he passes before she turns 62 would she be able to collect widows benefits? Can she collect her ss as well as his?
Hi,
Your friend couldn't collect her husband's actual Social Security benefits, but she could potentially qualify for spousal or widow's benefits on his account. People generally can't be paid Social Security benefits while they're incarcerated, but that doesn't prevent the payment . . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: Oct 30 2019 - 7:58am
Is It True That My Wife Can't Get Spousal Benefits Until I File For Retirement Benefits?
My wife and I are both 66 years old (FRA) and born prior to 1/2/1954. I plan to continue working full time until 70. My wife worked part time for most of her career, so she qualified for social security but at less than the maximum per year. Given our circumstances, we thought my wife could file a restricted application for spousal benefits and still allow her retirement benefits to grow until age 70. However, the SS office said my wife cannot get spouse's benefits until I file for retirement benefits. Is that accurate? What would you suggest? (and thanks for your response!) . . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: Oct 30 2019 - 7:47am
Does My Annual Amount As Currently Calculated By Maximize My Social Security Include Next Year’s 1.6% COLA?
I will turn 70 on March 11, 2020, and will apply for my Social Security benefit at that time. Does my annual amount as currently calculated by Maximize My Social Security include next year’s 1.6% COLA? Thank you.
Hi,
No, the upcoming 1.6% cost of living increase (COLA) won't be automatically reflected in the 2020 benefit rates shown in our software until January 1 2020. However, you can input 1.6% as your assumed inflation rate for 2020 and then use the Social Security Benefit change feature to adjust your assumed inflation rate for future years. . . . Read More
Category: Maximize My Social Security Software
Posted: Oct 29 2019 - 5:13pm
Will My Wife Be Able To Collect A Child In Care Benefit If She's Only Age 59?
Hi Larry. A few years ago I received your calculations on how to maximize my SS benefit. Money well spent! I have a couple of questions about the SS DAC benefit but first let me give you some details about my/our situation. My current plan is to retire and take SS benefit at age 66 in 2020 (my FRA). My wife will be age 59 at that time. My income over the last 35 years has been much higher than hers. My current SS age 66 est. benefit is $2855/mo. My current est. family benefit total is $4997/mo.
My wife plans to begin taking her reduced SS retirement benefit in 2023 at . . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: Oct 29 2019 - 7:13am
