If My Son Starts Out Drawing On My Wife's Record Can He Switch To My Record When I File For My Benefits?
My wife and I are about the same age 60. We have a son who is now age 31, was disabled before age 22 and is on SSI. My wife will have somewhat less than a max SS retirement benefit, and I will have a max SS retirement benefit. If she commences her SS retirement benefit before I do, will my son's SSDI benefit increase when I eventually commence my greater SS retirement benefit later?
Hi,
Yes. Your son would need to meet the same requirements to draw disabled adult child's (DAC) benefits on either your or your wife's records, so if he initially . . . Read More
Category: Disabled Adult Child Benefits
Posted: Dec 5 2018 - 9:49am
Is My Friend At Risk Of Social Security Reclaiming The Funds They're Currently Sending Her?
Hello, an older friend of mine recently lost her husband. She is 89. His monthly social security benefit was about $1,800 per month. She taught for many years in the Illinois public School system and collects an Illinois teachers retirement pension of about $2,400 per month. She had also been collecting $90 per month from Social Security based on Social Security eligible work. She had always been told that the GPO would wipe out any Social Security survivor's benefit she might be eligible for. After her husband's death, she received a letter from Social Security saying that she . . . Read More
Category: Non-Covered Pension - WEP / GPO
Posted: Dec 4 2018 - 3:16pm
Could I Draw Benefits Off Of My Dad's Or Mom's Record?
I'm 53 years old, I've never married and I have physically and mental disorders that prevent me from employment. I was told that I may be able to draw off of my Dad now deceased or my Mom's SS. I live with elderly Mom. It takes ALL our funds just to survive. Please help and tell me my options. If anything befall her I will basically be desitute.
Hi,
You could only qualify for Social Security benefits on your parents' accounts if you've been continuously disabled since before you turned age 22. If you think that might be the case, you may want to . . . Read More
Category: Disabled Adult Child Benefits
Posted: Dec 4 2018 - 10:43am
Can I File For Half Of My Wife's Benefit Rate If She Hasn't Started Collecting?
I was born Dec.1953 my Soc. Sec will be about 1/2 of my wives, she was born March 1955. She is still working but I want to start to collect Dec 2019 I'll be 66. Is it possible for me to collect half of hers even if she hasn't filed. Because I would like to take my own SS at age 70 to get a higher amount. But my wife doesn't want to retire until she is about 68 in which I will be almost 70. So simple question is can I start to take 1/2 hers if she hasn't started to collect. She has reached the max at $2600 Thank You Bob
Hi Bob,
No, your wife would have . . . Read More
Category: Spousal Benefits
Posted: Dec 4 2018 - 10:36am
Am I Entitled To Additional SS Benefits Because Of My Military Duty?
I served in the Air National Guard for 31 1/2 yrs. and was on active duty after 911 from Dec.1,2001-Aug.26,2002 and did other short Active Duty orders. I retired 2yrs ago and am now collecting SS. Am I entitled to additional SS benefits because of my Military Duty?
Hi,
Probably not. You would get deemed military wages (DMW) for your periods of active duty prior to 2002 (https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/handbook/handbook.09/handbook-0953.html), but all of your DMWs should . . . Read More
Category: Deemed Military Wages
Posted: Dec 4 2018 - 10:29am
Can A Wife File Only For Her Own Benefits And Refuse Spousal Benefits?
The below is a example where the total family benefit is reduced if the wife is forced to take the spouse benefit with the husbands account. In this case child benefit is also part of the family. Even though the spouse benefit exceeds the wife's benefit it reduces the total family house hold benefit. In this case can the wife refuse the spouse benefit and take the smaller wife benefit?
Husband PIA = $3000
5 in house hold, Husband, Wife and three children under 18 years of age
Maximum combined house hold limit exceeded so using SS provided limit = $5500
. . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: Dec 4 2018 - 7:06am
Is Social Security Considered Earned Income For Food Stamps?
I'm applying for food stamps. Is my social seciroty benefits considered earned income?
Hi,
No, Social Security income is considered as unearned income for purposes of determining food stamp eligibility.
Best, Jerry
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Dec 4 2018 - 6:50am
Will I Still Get Delayed Retirement Credits If I'm Not Working?
I turned 66 in August of this year. I am self employed and decided to retire as of November 1. I don't want to start receiving retirement benefits until age 66 and 6 months. My question is, if I am not working now and not receiving any income, do I still get delayed retirement credit for those six months or do you only get credits if you are still working and making money?
Thank you.
Hi,
Yes, you'll get delayed retirement credits (DRC) for each month that you defer taking your retirement benefits between full retirement age (FRA) and age 70 . . . Read More
Category: Delayed Retirement Credits
Posted: Dec 4 2018 - 6:34am
Can I Take My Benefit Now And Let My Divorced Spousal Benefits Ride Until Age 70?
I am about to turn 66 in February of '19 (FRA) divorced for several years and never remarried. I plan on taking my SS retirement at that time. I was born in 1953 and if I am reading your book correctly I am one of those that wouldn't be deemed as having to take my divorced spousal benefit. I was married 25 years and he always made more than I did. My benefit amount will be about $1200 a month at FRA and $1600 at 70. His is most likely around $2500 or $2600 or possibly more. Can I take my benefit now and let my spousal ride until 70 and if so will my spousal benefit increase the . . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: Dec 3 2018 - 5:18pm
Does Your Software Account For My Other Income Streams?
I have a decent nest egg and have an annuity with a guaranteed income rider that should pay me $1,000 per month in a few years (I'm 62). My wife is 61 and receives Native American Benefits. I had been thinking of claiming SS early because of the "break even". However, after reading the book I am re-thinking. My question-does the software account for the misc. income streams I've described and will it help indicate if the Native American benefits (some of which are non-taxable) would "fail" an earnings test.
Hi,
I'm not familiar with 'Native American . . . Read More
Category: Maximize My Social Security Software
Posted: Dec 3 2018 - 12:51pm
