Will I Need To Furnish Anything Special When I File For SS With Respect To My Zero Earnings Years?
I am 67 years old and plan to defer benefits until age 70. In reviewing my SS Earnings record, (which begins in 1966 and ends in 2017), have several years (11) with zero SS earnings because I was working overseas. Will I need to furnish anything special when I file for SS with respect to my zero earning years?
Hi,
No, if you were working overseas then I assume that Social Security taxes weren't deducted from your wages and the zeroes on your earnings record in those years are correct. If you had any earnings on which you did pay Social Security taxes . . . Read More
Category: Earnings Subject To Social Security Taxes
Posted: Oct 12 2019 - 7:16am
Can Social Security Discount My Benefits Because My Husband Is Receiving Social Security Disability Benefits?
Can Social Security discount my benefits because my husband is receiving Social Security disability benefits
Hi,
I'm not sure if I understand what your situation is. The fact that your husband receives Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits wouldn't have any effect on any type of Social Security benefits for which you are eligible based on your own work record. However, if you qualify for spousal benefits those benefits could be limited due to the special formula used to calculate maximum family benefits that can be paid on a disabled worker's . . . Read More
Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: Oct 11 2019 - 5:12pm
Can My Wife Switch To Spousal Benefits When She Turns 65?
My wife has been on social security disability for approximately 10 years.She is turning 65 in March,I am 68 and collecting my benifits.Can my wife switch to spousal benifts when she turns 65?
It would be an increase of 220.00 a month.
Thank you
Hi,
Your wife couldn't switch to drawing just spousal benefits instead of her own benefits, but she could potentially file for additional spousal benefits from your record. However, if she chooses to start drawing spousal benefits prior to the month she reaches full retirement age (FRA) her . . . Read More
Category: Spousal Benefits
Posted: Oct 11 2019 - 5:06pm
How Can We Take Advantage Of The Spousal Benefit?
I was born 12/8/1953 and my husband was born 1/13/1954, so we will both be at FRA within a few months. We have been married 40 years. We are interested in taking advantage of the spousal benefit, since I was born before the cutoff for this benefit. I'm not sure which of us needs to file a restricted claim for the spousal benefit and which of us files a regular claim. Thank for your help!
Hi,
You're the only one of the two of you who could file a restricted application for spousal benefits only. Your husband doesn't have that option because he was . . . Read More
Category: Filing Strategies
Posted: Oct 11 2019 - 4:58pm
Can I Discontinue My Benefits And Wait Till Age 70?
Larry I am 66 years old currently collecting my social security once I reached my FRA. I work full time still. Can I discontinue my benefits and wait till age 70 to increase my benefits or will it not make a difference at this time
Hi,
Yes, you can voluntarily suspend your benefits anytime from full retirement age (FRA) until age 70. If you do so, your subsequent benefit rate will be increased by 2/3rds of 1% for each month that you choose to suspend your benefits (https://www.ssa.gov/ . . . Read More
Category: Suspending Retirement Benefits
Posted: Oct 11 2019 - 4:53pm
Do I Have To Re-Apply For My Own Benefits?
I've been collecting half my ex-husbands SS since 66. DO I have to re-apply for my own benefits? I am about to turn 70 and have tried to contact SS multiple times with no success. When I try to re-apply online they tell me I am already receiving benefits. when I call and finally get someone they tell me they will send me a letter soon (never comes).
Thanks
Hi,
Yes, if you filed a restricted application for just divorced spousal benefits only then you would have to file a separate application if you want to claim benefits on your own record. . . . Read More
Category: Filing For Benefits
Posted: Oct 11 2019 - 4:43pm
Is It Correct That I Couldn't Draw Both My Own Benefits And My Deceased Spouse's Benefits?
I receive my deceased spouses dic. If that amount is higher than his soc security I was told I would not receive any soc sec benefit. Is that true
Hi,
I'm not sure I understand your question. If you're receiving survivor benefits on a deceased spouse's Social Security record and you file for your own benefits, you could only be paid the higher of the two amounts. You may want to use our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to explore your filing options so that you can . . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: Oct 11 2019 - 4:33pm
Do You Have Any Advice For Us?
We have experienced multitude of problems with my 26 year old disabled son’s SSI/SSDI benefits, Medicaid, and Medical Assistance. The following agencies continue to make unbelievable systematic errors time after time: Maryland Department of Human Services, Social Security Administration, and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
My son has lived in the State of Maryland since September of 2017. He has received SSI since August 2014. He also receives SSDI disability benefits under his disabled father's record. In the state of Maryland, he automatically receives . . . Read More
Category: Social Security Overpayments
Posted: Oct 11 2019 - 4:19pm
Can My Husband File For His Benefits Now And Then Switch To A Spousal Benefit When I File?
Dear Larry,
My husband, DOB 10/23/53 is eligible for FR this month. But he also is under the GPO because he worked for the government for 40 years. My DOB is 6/17/57 and I will wait until my FRA at 66.5 to file. Can he file now and get his small amount and then switch to spousal benefit when I file? I know he might be eligible for a restricted application due to his age, but I don't understand if it would apply to our situation.
Hi,
Your husband could file for his own benefits now and then potentially file for additional spousal benefits when . . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: Oct 11 2019 - 4:05pm
If Both Members Of A Couple Drew Benefits And One Of Them Dies, What Will The Survivor Draw?
If a spouse passes away & both drew SS due to the deceased passing from cancer what will the surviving spouse draw? Both had to draw ss before age 65 due to the illness. Thank You
Hi,
If both members of a couple are drawing benefits and one of them dies, the surviving spouse can only be paid up to a maximum of the higher of a) their own Social Security retirement benefit rate, or b) their deceased spouse's Social Security retirement benefit rate, or c) 82.5% of the deceased's primary insurance amount (PIA). However, the surviving spouse could . . . Read More
Category: Survivor Benefits
Posted: Oct 11 2019 - 3:50pm
