Have I Been Cheated Out Of Some Of My Benefits?
I was disabled for over 10 years before age 65. My husband was killed in an auto accident in 1991 . So I am an unmarried widow from his death (1991) forward. I will be 70 in July and was now wondering if maybe I might have been cheated out of some of my benefits. I'm collecting on by deceased husbands Social Security account.
Hi,
I'm sorry for your loss.
You don't mention when you started drawing widow's benefits, and I don't have enough information about your work history to know if you had any other benefit options. In any case, it's almost . . . Read More
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Dec 3 2018 - 6:24am
Am I Able To File A Claim From My Ex-Husband?
I am disable and going thru a divorce . Am I able to file a claim from my ex-husband?
Hi,
In addition to meeting the other requirements, your marriage must have lasted for at least 10 years and you must be at least age 62 in order to potentially qualify for divorced spousal benefits on the record of a living ex-spouse (https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/handbook/handbook.03/handbook-0311.html). You can't qualify for divorced spousal benefits earlier than age 62 even if you're . . . Read More
Category: Divorced Spousal Benefits
Posted: Dec 2 2018 - 9:49am
Can I Go Back And Claim Benefits On My Deceased Ex-Husband's Account For The Years When I Was Age 62 To 66?
I am 67 and retired collecting my own social security. I was just told that I could have been collecting my deceased ex-husands social security when I turned 62 until I retired at age 66 then switch to my social security. We were married 14 years and I am not married. Can I go back & collect from his social security from age 62 to 66?
Hi,
Unfortunately, no. The maximum retroactivity permitted for survivor benefit claims is 6 months, so if you're already age 67 it would be too late to apply for any benefits that you may have been eligible for . . . Read More
Category: Divorced Widow(er) Benefits
Posted: Dec 1 2018 - 10:13am
Can I Collect My Husband's Benefits If I'm Still Working?
my husband passed away at age 59 5 years ago I am still working can I collect his benefits also or do i have to cut back on working hours
Hi,
I'm sorry for your loss.
You can qualify for reduced widow's benefits as early as age 60, but your benefits could be subject to full or partial withholding due to Social Security's earnings test until you reach full retirement age (FRA). The earnings test exempt amount in 2019 is $17,640, and you'd lose $1 of benefits for each $2 that you earn in excess of that amount unless you reach FRA in 2019 or . . . Read More
Category: Widow's Benefits
Posted: Dec 1 2018 - 9:56am
Can I Still Contribute To My Individual HSA Until I'm 65?
The book "Get What's Yours" says that if I file for my own social security retirement benefit (even early at age 62), then I am automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and can no longer contribute to my individual HSA. However, in the Q&A it says "You would automatically be enrolled in Part A of Medicare effective 6 months prior to the month you file your application for social security benefits, but no earlier than the month you reach age 65". I plan to file for my retirement benefit at age 62 and have my own retiree medical benefits with an HSA. Since the statement said . . . Read More
Category: Medicare
Posted: Nov 30 2018 - 7:36pm
Do I Need To File Taxes On The Jackpot I Won, Or Claim It Somehow?
I am 64 collecting 1009 every month on ssi. I won a jackpot at a casino for 1500.00. I did not take the federal taxes out. Do I need to file taxes? Or need to claim it somehow> Thank You
Hi,
When you say you're receiving SSI, I assume you mean that you're drawing Social Security benefits. SSI is the abbreviation normally used for Supplemental Security Income, which is a needs based benefit that Social Security administers. If you are receiving Supplemental Security Income, then yes, gambling winnings could affect your benefit rate or eligibility . . . Read More
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Nov 30 2018 - 9:27am
Am I Entitled To Retroactive SS?
My husband passed 7 years ago, I am just now at 62 going to collect his SS, Am I entitled to retroactive SS?
Hi,
I'm sorry for your loss.
No, you almost certainly couldn't claim benefits any earlier than the month in which you file your application. Although widow's benefits can be payable as early as age 60, you normally can't claim benefits any earlier than the month in which you file your application. Typically, you can only claim retroactive widow's benefits if you apply after the month you reach full retirement age (FRA), or if your . . . Read More
Category: Widow's Benefits
Posted: Nov 30 2018 - 7:24am
When Does Social Security Start Counting Your Wages To See If You Go Over The Earnings Limit?
Larry,
I am being forced to retire March 2019 due to a medical condition from an open L&I work injury. I turned 65 October 2018. I will have worked 31 years and 6 months and eligible for my monthly pension benefit that will be $2,800 per month. I want to postpone getting social security as long as I can (hoping to work till I am 68). However if i cannot find a job to augment my pension I will have to find some sort of work right away. What date does social security start calculating you wages to see if you go over the annual limit on what I can earn without paying . . . Read More
Category: Earnings Test
Posted: Nov 30 2018 - 7:04am
Do I Need To File For And Suspend My Benefits So That They Grow By .67% Per Month?
Hi,
I purchased and am reading your book and have a question. I will be 66 in April 2019 but I'm still working full time. Do I have to apply for social security before my birthday and suspend my benefits so they grow .67% per month. Or do I do nothing and social security admin. will grow my benefits automatically if I don't apply? Do I then apply shortly before the time I plan to retire and collect my benefits? (How much time before I retire should I apply?) I guess I am asking because I thought I had to apply for social security at 66 and then suspend my benefits so they . . . Read More
Category: Filing For Benefits
Posted: Nov 30 2018 - 6:38am
Could I Collect Spousal Benefits?
My wife is 63 collecting SS disability I am 66 working with higher income could I collect spousal SS while I am still working
Hi,
Potentially, yes. If you were born prior to January 2 1954 and you haven't yet filed for your own Social Security benefits, you could file for spousal benefits at age 66 or later while letting your own benefit rate grow until age 70. However, a special formula is used to calculate the family maximum benefit (FMB) payable on Social Security disability (SSDI) accounts, and that formula can in some cases reduce the amounts . . . Read More
Category: Spousal Benefits
Posted: Nov 30 2018 - 6:11am
