How Much Can I Earn If I'm Collecting Widow's Benefits?
Hi Larry. I am 60 years old and lost my husband in October 2017 - he had just turned 65.
I am working but my job may be eliminated later this year and I am concerned, due to my age, that a job search will be challenging.
I want to know what my options are if I find myself unemployed. Last time I checked my expected full SS benefits will be just shy of my husband's. Would I be able to apply for widow's benefits while accepting unemployment? And if I find a job while collecting widow's benefits how much can I earn? And how would those benefits affect my ability to . . . Read More
Category: Widow's Benefits
Posted: Jan 22 2019 - 3:18pm
When Can I Apply For My Reduced Widow's Benefits?
I will be 60 this September. When can i apply for my reduced widows benefits?my husband and i were married 7 years. He passed away 8 years ago and i never remarried. We live in South Carolina.
Hi,
I'm sorry for your loss.
If you reach age 60 in September 2019, you could claim reduced widow's benefits as early at that month. And, if you happen to have been born on September 1st, you could even claim benefits as early as August 2019. You can file an application up to 4 months in advance of the month that you want to claim benefits, so it sounds . . . Read More
Category: Widow's Benefits
Posted: Jan 22 2019 - 10:11am
If I Die Before My Wife, Will She Be Penalized If She Receives Part Of My CALPERS Pension?
I am a retired police officer and my city and I paid no SS taxes. I have 25 years paying into SS in other jobs. My wife has only 32 quarters, thus she draws from my SS, which is obviously reduced because of WEP. If I die first, her SS should increase, but will they continue to penalize her because of my CALPERS Pension, for which she will be entitled to 50%? Thanks!
Hi,
No. If your Social Security retirement rate is reduced due to the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), that reduction won't apply to your wife's widow's rate if you die before her. . . . Read More
Category: Non-Covered Pension - WEP / GPO
Posted: Jan 21 2019 - 7:31pm
Am I Entitled To Half Of My Husband's Benefits At My Full Retirement Age Of 66?
My husband retired at age 64, I am still working and plan to continue working until age 68. Am I entitled to half of my husband's benefits at my full retirement age of 66? And if I take that benefit does that in any way affect what he is currently receiving?
Hi,
I assume when you say that your husband retired at age 64, you mean that he started drawing his Social Security retirement benefits then. In that case you could file for spousal benefits only at age 66 while allowing your own retirement benefit rate to continue to grow, but only if you were . . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: Jan 21 2019 - 2:52pm
Would I Qualify For Any Social Security Benefits As A Single Parent?
Dear Larry,
I'm a 44 year old working single mom of a 5 year old child. We live with my mom. I have never collected child support. Is there any Social Security benefits that would be available to me?
Stacey
Hi,
It doesn't sound like it. You would have to be disabled in order to qualify for Social Security benefits based on your own work record prior to age 62, and the only way that you could currently be eligible for benefits on the record of a spouse or former spouse is if they are deceased or drawing Social Security benefits and your . . . Read More
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Jan 20 2019 - 7:24pm
If My Wife Draws Benefits At Age 62, Would Her Future Survivor Benefits Also Be Reduced?
If my wife draws benefits at 62, are her future survivor benefits reduced by this or is it dependant on when she files for the survivor benefits?
Thanks
Hi,
No, your wife's survivor benefits wouldn't necessarily be reduced if she files for reduced retirement or spousal benefits at age 62. Any reduction for age applicable to a person's survivor benefit rate is calculated based on the survivor's age at the time they start drawing the survivor benefit, regardless of if or when they previously applied for other types of benefits. So, if a person . . . Read More
Category: Survivor Benefits
Posted: Jan 20 2019 - 12:07pm
How Do We Adopt Our Grandchildren Without Money For A Lawyer?
My wife and i recently got custody of our daughters two children. The grandchildrens father has never been in their lives and they receive no child support. I am on disability and my wife has filed for disability but has been denied because we cannot afford a doctor for her. We have been told that to get help with supporting our grandchildren thur my disability we have to legally adopt them. How do we do this without money for a lawyer . is there any help . thank you
Hi,
I'm sorry, but my expertise is limited to Social Security benefits, so I can't . . . Read More
Category: Child Benefits
Posted: Jan 20 2019 - 10:30am
Will My Earnings Prior To My Retirement Date Affect Either My Wife's Benefits Or My Spousal Benefits?
This year my wife turns 62 in July and will file for her early benefit at that time. I will retire in September of this year at age 67 and over my FRA. At that time I plan on filing a restricted application for spousal benefit and allow mine to grow till age 70 when I file for my own benefit. My question is will my earnings I receive prior to my retirement date limit in any way the amount of my spousal benefit or my wife's benefit?
Hi,
No. Your 2019 earnings wouldn't affect either your benefits nor your wife's benefits because you have already . . . Read More
Category: Earnings Test
Posted: Jan 19 2019 - 5:33pm
Could You Please Clarify Our Options?
Larry,
I am 67 yrs old and working. My wife just is retired and turned 66 on January 14th. We wanted to file and suspend my retirement benefits and collect spousal benefits for my wife. When we went to Social Security office, they declined for spousal benefits and told us under the new law that we are not eligible. When I visited SS Office to file before I became FRA, they told me that I could file when my wife reaches FRA. Could you please clarify if they are trying to blow us off.
Monte
Hi Monte,
Here's the story. Since your wife was . . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: Jan 19 2019 - 5:14pm
If I Earned A Million Dollars, Would Social Security Withhold Half Of That Amount From My Benefits?
Hi Larry,
I am thinking of retiring when I am 63 and collecting Social Security benefits so that I can write full-time. I understand that, if I do, and I make money on my writing, Social Security will withhold $1 for every $2 I would make over $17,040. My question: A scenario -- The wonderful dream comes true and, for my novel, I get a million dollar advance. Does this mean that Social Security would withhold $491,480?
Thank you.
Hi,
No. For earnings test purposes, Social Security only withholds up to the full amount of your yearly Social . . . Read More
Category: Earnings Test
Posted: Jan 19 2019 - 11:24am
