Why Am I Not Getting More Money?
I am 58 years old and I just received SSI if for some reason the only amount of money that I'm getting is $850 a month I cannot pay rent without going into hole every month and I don't understand why am I getting just no amount of money from SSI
Hi,
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a needs based program administered by Social Security. It is a federal program designed to provide a minimum level of income to people who have little or no means of self-support. The maximum federal SSI benefit in 2019 is $771, so if you're receiving more than that . . . Read More
Category: Supplemental Security Income
Posted: Mar 13 2019 - 9:27am
Did I Lose All Of My Previous Credits By Staying Home To Raise Children?
Dear Larry, My husband was a Firefighter, and after marriage I stayed home to take care of my 5 children. He did not pay into social security only Municipal Pension. I was involved any children schooling and activities and have yet to return to work. Im 62. I worked as a RN but let like I said to raise my sons. I have income earned until that point, but not since 1991. Did I lose all my previous credits, and what are my options for returning to work, how long to I have to work and how much $$ in order to qualify for Social Security. Have no savings (cost so much to provide for . . . Read More
Category: Retirement Benefits
Posted: Mar 12 2019 - 12:25pm
Is It Too Late To Add Remarks To My Application?
I filed and suspended prior to my 66th birthday in May 2015. But the Remarks section of my application did not state that I wanted to begin receiving Benefits on my 70th birthday & that I wanted to refuse Retroactive Benefits. Can I still contact Social Security to add this to my application prior to the start of my Benefits in May 2019? Or am I stuck with getting Retroactive Benefits?
Hi,
It doesn't sound like any additional action on your part is necessary. If you filed for and voluntarily suspended your benefits, Social Security should . . . Read More
Category: Suspending Retirement Benefits
Posted: Mar 12 2019 - 11:12am
Is It Correct That My Wife Can't File A Restricted Application For Spousal Benefits If I Haven't Filed For My Benefits?
My wife was born May 6, 1953 and I was born May 2, 1955. Neither of us is currently receiving retirement benefits (RIB) or spousal benefits (SIB) and I don't intend to file for my RIB before my FRA on July 2, 2021 (and possibly not until age 70). I thought that my wife could file a restricted application now (effective as of her FRA) based on my earnings record. We went into a SS office and I was told that she could not file a restricted SIB application because I have not filed a RIB. Is this correct?
Hi,
Yes, what you were told by the Social Security . . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: Mar 11 2019 - 3:04pm
Should I Have Received Something By Now Telling Me When I'll Be Paid?
Hi Larry. I filed befre FRA and have been receiving reduced benefits based on earnings above the 2018 cap. I understand the 2.00/1.00 formula for exceeding the annual limit and was expecting to have some months suspended again for 2019 but still no confirmation from SS re when those payments will resume. Ihave called SS 4 times and ea answer is a little different. Last answer saidcomputer programs that generate these letters is just backed up? Shouldn't I have received something from Ss by now re what they will pay and when?
Thank you Elaine
Hi Elaine . . . Read More
Category: Earnings Test
Posted: Mar 10 2019 - 12:28pm
Can WEP Be Applied To My UK Pension?
From 1966 - 1976 I worked and lived in U.K. where I was born as U.K. citizen. I paid into social security in England. In 1979 I came to USA and worked here almost 40 years and am now a US citizen. Since 1979 I have paid into social security here. Can WEP be applied to my UK pension which I only paid into while I lived in UK and wasn't a US citizen ?
Hi,
The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) is a U.S. Social Security provision, so it wouldn't have any effect on your UK pension. I don't know if the UK system has any provisions that would affect your . . . Read More
Category: Non-Covered Pension - WEP / GPO
Posted: Mar 9 2019 - 9:01am
Can I Go Back To 2007 For Any Disability?
had cervical neck fusion in 1996. After many years of suffering
from pain and losing jobs, in 2007 I had laminectomy and more cervical
fusions. I have C4 through C7. Since 2007, I have post laminectomy syndrome.
After my last lay-off at age 63, I was unable to work and didn’t understand
that I had disability options. At 64 I started drawing my social security. I
have had many treatments with pain meds, muscle relaxers, PT and now I will
have a spinal cord stimulator that my pain management doctor has recommended.
If this procedure doesn . . . Read More
Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: Mar 8 2019 - 4:48pm
How Will Medicare Work In My Case?
I was receiving social security benefits, but then graduated from nursing school at 63, December 2017. I called social security, and voluntarily suspended my benefits unlike I've read you can do. I explained how much I was making and they acted like I was going to have to pay back what I collected in 2018. I never heard back. I did apply for withdrawing my benefits but couldn't afford to pay back the benefits I had received. I plan to work until at least 70-73 years old. I will be eligible for Medicare this year but receive medical benefits through my job. Since I am . . . Read More
Category: Medicare
Posted: Mar 7 2019 - 3:30pm
Why Is My Benefit Rate Less Than The Maximum Possible Amount?
Mr. Kotlikoff, good afternoon. Thank you for providing this service to ask questions about social security.
My question is about the maximum (retirement) social security benefit amount, which I understand is $3,770.00 per month in 2019. Through my online research, I've concluded that only two (2) criteria are necessary to qualify for the maximum benefit amount: 1) delaying benefits until age 70 and 2) having a record of at least 35 years of earnings where the earnings amount meets or exceeds the maximum earnings amount subject to social security tax. Is that correct? . . . Read More
Category: Retirement Benefits
Posted: Mar 7 2019 - 2:40pm
Can I Collect Spousal Benefits At Age 66 If My Husband Hasn't Filed For His Benefits?
My husband is not collecting his social security benefits until age 70 yrs. I am eligible for "restricted spousal benefits" as I was born in May 1953. Can I collect benefits at age 66 yrs. if as my husband hasn't filed for his benefits?
Hi,
No. Unless your husband was born prior to May 1950 and he filed for and suspended his benefits prior to April 30 2016, you couldn't be paid spousal benefits until your husband actually starts drawing his benefits.
It sounds like you and your husband may have some good filing options available to you, so you . . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: Mar 7 2019 - 10:21am
