Can I Apply For Benefits From Luxembourg Separately From U.S. Social Security?
I worked for an American company in Luxembourg for 11 years from 1987 to 1998 and qualify for Luxembourg national pension (social security) when I turn 65. I paid in to both US and Luxembourg social security from 1987 to 1991, then just Luxembourg from 1992 to 1998 after the totalization agreement with Luxembourg was signed. I am looking to start collecting my Luxembourg social security when I turn 65, but will probably defer my US social security until I turn 70. Can I apply for the Luxembourg social security separately from the US social security? I have been told told by . . . Read More
Category: Non-Covered Pension - WEP / GPO
Posted: Jun 28 2019 - 5:26pm
What Are The Two Ways That WIdow's Benefits Are Sometimes Calculated?
I am currently reading your book 'Get what's yours'. Two questions:
1. You mention that if spouse dies before the age of 62, surviving spouse benefits are calculated two ways and higher of the two is given.
What are the two ways this is calculated?
2. Is the withdrawal period for surviving spouse benefits also at 12 months? If I get a job, I can return the benefits received and treat as though never applied. Do I have 12 months to make this decision?.. and from date of application or from date of benefit being paid?
Thank you so much but I just cannot . . . Read More
Category: Widow's Benefits
Posted: Jun 27 2019 - 10:04am
Can I Suspend My Retirement Benefits At FRA To Earn DRCs But Still Receive Surivivor Benefits?
As per your previous response (6/19/19) a person who previously received Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits can earn delayed retirement credits (DRC) between full retirement age (FRA) and age 70 by voluntarily suspending their benefits. My situation is the same, except I am also entitled to survivor Social Security benefit. Can I I suspend my retirement benefits at FRA (to earn DRC) after being on SSDI, but still be entitled to receive survivor social security from FRA to age 70 and then switch to my own retirement benefit with DRC after 70?
Hi, . . . Read More
Category: Suspending Retirement Benefits
Posted: Jun 27 2019 - 9:35am
How Would Filing For Spousal Benefits Affect My Husband's Own Benefits?
My husband reached FRA 66 in May of this year (born May 1953). I turn 66 FRA (born July 1954) next year. I purchased Maxifi and have been putting in info. The report seems to suggest my husband file spousal benefits next year when I file for my SS. I thought that spousal benefits were a thing of the past with law passed in 2016. I am confused as to what actually that means. Is that 50% of my benefit? If correct, would he then not be able to change that and file for this full retirement benefit till age 70? Some of the questions on your website seem to say that he would be . . . Read More
Category: Filing Strategies
Posted: Jun 26 2019 - 3:55pm
What Should I Do About The Zero Earnings Years On My Record?
In August of 2019, I will begin my retirement from Social Security. After analyzing my entry record, I found a very serious mistake. It appears that I started working when I was still in high school in 1971. I graduated from high school in 1973 and I never worked during my time in high school. Because I had had an earning in 1971 (something that isn’t true), then zeros appeared in 1972 and 1973. In 1973 I started College and I worked there in a program of study and work in 1974. Then, I graduated from College in 1975 and immediately started to work. My question is, would be . . . Read More
Category: Retirement Benefits
Posted: Jun 25 2019 - 7:43pm
Should I Sit Tight Or Follow Up With Social Security?
Thank you so much for your reply to my question. It was very helpful in giving me some idea of what lies ahead. I have not heard from Social Security since the initial phone call in May asking me about my 10 years of school district service. At that time I told the agent the amount and the date that I had started to receive the Texas teacher annuity. I am anxiously awaiting some form of communication from SS. Should I sit tight until I hear or should I call or go to a local SS office to follow up? I continue to receive the full SS survivor benefit. All of this came to a head . . . Read More
Category: Non-Covered Pension - WEP / GPO
Posted: Jun 25 2019 - 1:41pm
Why Is The Monthly Benefit Amount On My SS Statement So High?
Why is the monthly benefit amount on my s.s. statement so much higher than the maximum monthly benefit payable, which for 2019 is $2,861? Same for my husband. We make nowhere near the maximum s.s. wages. When we go to apply, will we be in for a rude awakening? According to my statement, if i wait five years until age 70 to collect, my monthly benefit is estimated to be $3,064. Just how accurate are the figures on the s.s. statement?
Hi,
In past years we've always found the Social Security statements to be pretty accurate, but we recently became aware . . . Read More
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Jun 25 2019 - 12:50pm
Is It Possible To File For Spousal Benefits Retroactively?
My husband, who is 6 years older than I, began taking his Social Security retirement benefits when he was 68 and I was 62. I heard about the Social Security spousal benefit from my accountant, but thought I had to wait until I was at FULL retirement age, myself, - i.e. 66 - to apply for it. I did apply for it a few weeks before my 66th birthday and will get a spousal benefit amounting to 50 percent of my husband's benefit starting in July, allowing my own worker retirement benefit to grow. However, I was on the Social Security website today and read one of their anecdotes where . . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: Jun 24 2019 - 9:13am
Can I Still Qualify For Free Part A Of Medicare Based On My Husband's Work If He's Not Eligible For Social Security?
I will not be eligible for free Medicare A because I only have 36 Medicare credits. You say I can qualify on my husbands record. He retired from gov job so no social security but he does have Medicare A (free) and Medicare B. Can I still use his record?
Hi,
Yes, as long as your husband qualifies for free Part A of Medicare based on his government work and if he's at least age 62 or disabled and you are at least age 65, then you can qualify for free Part A of Medicare based on his record ( . . . Read More
Category: Medicare
Posted: Jun 23 2019 - 8:20pm
If My Benefits Are Reduced By The GPO Rule Does That Mean That WEP Won't Apply In My Case?
Hi Larry,
I am planing on applying for SSecurity this July when I turn 66. I worked for 18 years for a City in which I did NOT pay SSecurity and for a year now I have been receiving a pension of $784.85. I also receive a pension of $380 from the UK as I lived and worked there and I did pay SS to the UK on these earnings.
Since I was born in 1953 I going to apply for half of my husbands original SS amount which would be $968.
I understand per your very helpful book that SS will deduct two thirds of my City Pension from half of my husbands PIA via the GPO rule. . . . Read More
Category: Non-Covered Pension - WEP / GPO
Posted: Jun 23 2019 - 3:19pm
