Am I Getting Benefits Illegally?
I'm in serious trouble. I was in the hospital and forced to sign many, many unfilled-out forms. I'm on SSDI because I earned it and needed it. But now I have MASSHEALTH! Illegally! I own my condo! Now I got a letter that I have been switched to SSI! My monthly payment is now reduced, I'm not getting money to pay my mortgage December 12th, and I've been tricked into getting MASSHEALTH by the hospital! Medicare only pays 80%, and I have a $26,000.00 bill from 15 days in August-Sept hospitalization, and so the Hospital forced me to sign pages and pages of blank, bogus forms so . . . Read More
Category: Supplemental Security Income
Posted: Dec 9 2018 - 9:40am
Will I Receive A Higher Benefit Amount When My Ex-Spouse Dies?
I had been drawing off of my ex spouse's benefits; when I reached age 70 I started to draw from my own. When my ex spouse dies will I receive a higher amount and will that change automatically or do I have to apply for it. I have not been in contact with him for 20 years and would not know if he were to die.
Hi,
If your ex-spouse's benefit rate is higher than your own benefit rate, it sounds like you'd be eligible for his or her higher rate as a survivor. You'd only get the higher of his rate or your rate, however, not both.
Your divorced . . . Read More
Category: Divorced Widow(er) Benefits
Posted: Dec 7 2018 - 12:05pm
Is The Earnings Limit For Disability Benefits Based On Gross Or Net Earnings?
Currently on SSDI and work
I know I can make only 1,170/ mo
Is tha gross or net?
Hi,
If you're working for wages the gross amount is counted, but if you're self-employed it's the net. And, the substantial gainful activity guideline in 2018 is actually $1,180, and that figure will rise to $1,220 in 2019.
Best, Jerry
Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: Dec 7 2018 - 11:46am
Will The Deferred Income Distribution My Husband Receives In 2019 Count For Social Security Purposes?
My husband fully retired in April 2018. He will turn 66 in April 2019. He will be receiving a bulk sum distribution of his 457b account in Feb 2019. The monies in the account were deferred income from his years working for a nonprofit hospital. Will that distribution be considered 2019 income for Social Security purposes? (does the fact that is reported on a W2 form have any bearing on the matter?).
I have run various scenarios on your software and several situations recommend that he start SS benefits before his 66 birthday is order to increase that time that I can take . . . Read More
Category: Earnings Test
Posted: Dec 7 2018 - 7:42am
What Options Would I Have For Drawing Survivor Payments On My Ex-Husband's Record?
Hi Larry,
I have scrolled though and read your answers to others questions, but do not see one that fully answers mine. I just got a fully favorable Decision from the judge for my SSI request, I am age 56. Sadly, my ex husband of 15 years is in the final stages of cancer and is just 58 years old. I know he is collecting SS disability insurance also. I know that the amount I will get is going to be low, but will help. However, when my ex husband passes away, what option do I have about collecting a Survivors Payment from Social Security on his record? Will it switch to his . . . Read More
Category: Supplemental Security Income
Posted: Dec 7 2018 - 7:17am
Why Would I Have Received Unexpected Payments From Social Security?
I received 2 small unexpected SSA deposits on December 3rd, 2018, and my SSDI check is supposed to arrive Wednesday, December 12th. This has never happened before. I turned 59 on the 4th of December so I am very worried. Also, my husband transfers money into my account constantly, to pay bills thru me - does this look like income? I cannot work at all.
Hi,
At best I can only speculate as to what may have happened. Social Security performs a number of different automated processes that can result in adjustments to a person's benefit rate. When there . . . Read More
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Dec 6 2018 - 9:41am
Is $24,675 The Correct Substantial Earnings Amount For 2019?
I plan to retire early next year (hopefully sometime shortly after February 1) and will receive a lump sum check for Vacation and Compensatory Time. I have a pension for work that I did not pay into Social Security, so my SS will be reduced because of the WEP (I have not started receiving SS yet). However I currently have over 20 years of "Substantial Earnings", so if I can earn enough in 2019 to meet the Substantial Earnings amount (I believe for 2019 that is $24,675), I can add another year to offset some of that reduction. My plan is that my January salary plus the lump sum . . . Read More
Category: Non-Covered Pension - WEP / GPO
Posted: Dec 5 2018 - 2:47pm
How Much Can I Earn This Year?
How much can I earn in 2018? I turned 66 in 2017. I retired in 2014
Hi,
If you turned age 66 in 2017, there's no limit on how much you could earn and still receive all of your Social Security benefits in 2018.
Best, Jerry
Category: Earnings Test
Posted: Dec 5 2018 - 1:02pm
Can You Help Clarify This?
I work for a local municipality who offers employees a FICA Replacement Plan (401a) in lieu of social security. Since I also have other employment history that entitles me to social security based on my other (non-municipal) earnings record, I am aware that my SSA benefits will be lowered due to the Windfall Elimination Provision. The benefits manager at the plan sponsor implied that if I were to withdraw funds from my 401a plan after my retirement (at age 55+) but before my full retirement age (67) for social security purposes, SSA might deem my age at withdrawal the age that . . . Read More
Category: Non-Covered Pension - WEP / GPO
Posted: Dec 5 2018 - 12:14pm
Should I Wait Until Age 60 To Claim Disability Benefits?
i am 54 going to be 55 did not work in 2018 they said i was denied because i made to much money so they told me i can claim it when im 60 i have file for disaiabty and they said to wait until im 60 and i can receive full benefits
Hi,
Turning age 60 wouldn't make any difference with regard to qualifying for Social Security disability benefits (SSDI) based on your own work record. You can draw your full benefit rate regardless of at what age you become entitled to SSDI benefits. If you were denied SSDI benefits in the past because you were still . . . Read More
Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: Dec 5 2018 - 9:58am
