May I Claim From Both My Husband And Ex-Husband?
Hi Larry
I was married twice and each lasted longer than 10 years. I am now at my full retirement age of 66 and ready to claim spousal benefits. May I claim from both husband and ex-husband?
Hi,
You can't qualify for divorced spousal benefits on the record of a living ex-spouse if you are currently married. If you're unmarried and you are potentially eligible for divorced spousal benefits on the records of 2 or more different ex-spouses, you could only be paid the highest of the benefit rates.
Best, Jerry
Category: Divorced Spousal Benefits
Posted: Oct 8 2019 - 3:51pm
Which Plan Is Our Best Long Term Strategy?
Which plan gives us the best long-term strategy as a couple?
Slight twist to an earlier question on the best claiming strategy for our situation:
I haven't been able to get an answer from Social Security yet!
Both healthy - expect to live into mid-eighties or later. Strong investments; don't need the social security money for living expenses. We plan to invest the money.
Possible plans:
Strategy # 1
1. Husband will turn 65 on Dec. 2, 2019 and applies for Social Security based on his work record, receiving about $390 per month in reduced . . . Read More
Category: Filing Strategies
Posted: Oct 8 2019 - 3:34pm
If I File For My Own Benefits Before FRA Would My Future Survivor Benefits Also Be Reduced?
Hi
I was married for 15 years, have been divorced 14 years, not remarried. I am now 63, my ex spouse is 73. My financial advisor says I need to know what my survivor's benefit would be if my ex spouse predeceases me in order to determine the best time to file for my own SS benefit.
I know that if I file for my own SS before my FRA, I would receive a reduced amount of my own FRA. Social Security tells me that if I file for my own SS before my FRA, that will also reduce the amount of survivor's benefit I would be entitled to in the future, EVEN if I switch to . . . Read More
Category: Filing Strategies
Posted: Oct 8 2019 - 1:36pm
Is It Possible That Someone Is Using My Daughter's SSN To Receive Medicare or SS Benefits?
My 35 yo daughter is receiving mail about being a recipient of Medicare. Is it possible someone is using her SSN to receive Medicare benefits or somehow using her information to get benefits?
Hi,
Anything's possible, but I think the chances of someone successfully claiming either Medicare or Social Security benefits using your daughter's identity is extremely remote. I think it's much more likely that she's simply receiving misguided junk mail. However, it wouldn't hurt for your daughter to call Social Security and ask them to verify that no one . . . Read More
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Oct 8 2019 - 1:24pm
How Can I Ask For SS Benefits Now?
how can I ask for SS benefits now. I want to get out of this
country due to being police harassed and treated badly by the very people who
are supposed to be protecting us. They have it on tape of me just walking
across the street after work and the police pulled over and lied and said I
walked crossed the street caddie corner like, now what kind of stuff is that.
I've worked all my life, 2 jobs even at the same time and I need that money
to get the heck out of here. I can see why so many Americans have escaped-
especially black . . . Read More
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Oct 7 2019 - 7:41am
When My Disability Payments Convert At Age 65 Can I Delay Taking It To Increase My Wife's Survivor Rate?
I have been receiving social security disability for ~15 years. I turn 65 December 2019.
My wife is my caregiver, turned 60 this year, and has not been employed outside the home. (Became a stay at home Mom 35 years ago, then my primary caregiver.) It is likely she will survive me within the next 5-7 years. Social Security at that point will be her primary source of funds.
When my disability payments convert at age 65, can I delay taking it to increase benefits she will receive?
Hi,
Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits convert to . . . Read More
Category: Delayed Retirement Credits
Posted: Oct 6 2019 - 2:47pm
What Would I Be Entitled To If I Get Married And My Wife Dies Before Me?
I am 62 and I get $635 mo. in early SS retirement. My 66 year old girlfriend with whom I live gets $838 mo. SS retirement plus $400 in surviving spousal benifits from her late husband.. If we get married what would be the best way for us to file and what would I be entitled to if she dies before me ?
Hi,
Getting married wouldn't change the current amount that either you or your girlfriend receive. Neither of you would qualify for spousal benefits, so you'd just continue receiving the benefits that you presently receive.
However, if you do get . . . Read More
Category: Widow(er) Benefits
Posted: Oct 6 2019 - 2:15pm
How Long Do I Need To Be Married To Get My Boyfriend's SS?
I am 59 years old I was married for 17 years divorced in 2000 my boyfriend is sick with with cancer and was thinking of getting married how long do I need to be married to get his ss and what is the percent thank u in advance
Hi,
I'm sorry to hear about your boyfriend's illness.
You would likely need to be married to your boyfriend for at least 9 months in order to be able to qualify for widow's benefits on his record. There are exceptions to the 9 month duration of marriage requirement ( . . . Read More
Category: Widow's Benefits
Posted: Oct 5 2019 - 6:30pm
Can We Meet With An Advisor?
I am turning 70 on 03/24/2020. Waited to max out my benefits. When should I apply ?
My wife turns 62 on 10/21/2019 and is retiring 11/01/2019. She has been the main breadwinner, I have been retired since I turned 66.She wants to take her social security then. I would like her to wait until she turns 67, but she does not want to wait. Can she get spousal social security till she turns 67 ?
Can we meet with an advisor ? We are not great on computer programs.
Thank you.
Hi,
We don't offer an in-person advisory service, but we do offer . . . Read More
Category: Maximize My Social Security
Posted: Oct 5 2019 - 5:48pm
Can My Mother Collect A Widow's Benefit?
Can my mother collect a widows benefit?
Father passed away 3/19 Ava 74 and was retired. He had been collecting ss for approximately 10 yrs (+/-$1700/mo). Mom is 75 and still working full time (+/-$124000). Can she collect widows benefits?
Thank you for your response. She lives in NY state.
Hi,
I'm sorry for your loss.
You don't mention whether or not your mother is drawing her own Social Security retirement benefits, but assuming that she's eligible she should be drawing them if she's not. Your mother could only get the higher of . . . Read More
Category: Widow's Benefits
Posted: Oct 5 2019 - 5:32pm
