What Is The Status Of The Social Security Disability Program?
What is the status of social security disability insurance? Is it going to be around? thanks
Hi,
The trust fund that pays Social Security disability benefits is projected to be able to pay full benefits through the year 2032 (https://www.ssa.gov/policy/trust-funds-summary.html). I firmly believe that the disability program will continue well beyond then, but Congress will almost certainly need to make some changes in the future in order to keep the program in sound financial shape. . . . Read More
Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: Oct 17 2018 - 11:17am
Does This Sound Like A Good Plan?
My earnings are massively lower than my husband's; he would get the maximum SocSec retirement benefits, while my own would be about $500/month at full retirement age. I know that we should try to wait till he is age 70 before he claims his benefits. Also, I know that as long as we are married, I can't claim spousal benefits unless he is also claiming his benefits. I believe the file-and-suspend loophole is no longer allowed for this. So: If we divorce when I am age 60, and I start collecting divorced-spouse benefits at age 62 based on my husband's earnings (my husband would be . . . Read More
Category: Filing Strategies
Posted: Oct 17 2018 - 10:31am
Are My Benefits Likely To Be Cut In The Foreseeable Future?
I am 70 yrs old and a soc security pensioner. Married, no kids. Will my basic benefits possibly/probably be cut at any time in foreseeable future?
Hi,
I certainly don't know of any reason why your benefits would be reduced.
Best, Jerry
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Oct 16 2018 - 9:33am
What Is The Best Strategy For My Wife And Me?
i am 65. will be 66 in march 2019. i am still work and mostly like will till FRA. my wife of 40 years will be 64 in april 2019 and has not worked for 10+ yars. reading through all the file and suspend and file on spousal benefits, not sure best route to take to get her benefits where she maybe able to use some of my earnings. any suggestions?
Hi,
I would need additional information to know for sure, but one strategy you may want to at least consider would be for your wife to file for her own retirement benefits when you reach your full retirement age . . . Read More
Category: Filing Strategies
Posted: Oct 15 2018 - 4:24pm
Can I Collect Both My Own Benefit And Widower's Benefits?
I am a 67 year old widower and collecting my late wife's social security spousal benefit.
I was under the impression that I couldn't collect both my spousal benefit AND my own.
Therefore I should wait until age 70 to drop hers and start mine. Is that best? Can I collect both? Thank you
Hi,
You can't collect both your own Social Security benefit and a full widower's benefit at the same time. If and when you file for your own benefits you'll receive only the higher of the 2 benefit rates.
Assuming that your own age 70 retirement . . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: Oct 15 2018 - 4:16pm
Will My Social Security Disability Be Affected By My Husband's CSRS Pension?
Hi Larry, I am currently collecting Social Security Disability. I worked for the Census Bureau for about 20 years. My husband has worked for the Postal Service for 45 years and will be retiring soon. He is a CSRS employee. Will my Social Security be affected by his pension income? Thank you for your help.
Hi,
No. Your husband's Civil Service (CSRS) pension won't have any effect on your Social Security disability benefits. Even if he was to die before you and you qualify for a CSRS survivor annuity, your survivor benefits from CSRS would have no . . . Read More
Category: Non-Covered Pension - WEP / GPO
Posted: Oct 15 2018 - 12:47pm
Will My Wife Still Get Spousal Benefits When I Start Drawing My Benefits At Age 70?
Hi Larry...
Will my wife still continue to receive Spousal Benefits, once i retire and start drawing benefits at age 70?
Also, what happens to my wife's spousal benefit, when i die?
Thanks in advance!
Hi,
I assume you mean that you filed for and suspended your retirement benefits before April 30 2016, and that your wife is currently receiving spousal benefits on your record. In that case, her benefits won't change when you turn age 70 and start drawing your benefits. And, if you die before your wife her spousal benefits will . . . Read More
Category: Spousal Benefits
Posted: Oct 15 2018 - 12:37pm
Can My Sister File A Restricted Application For Divorced Spousal Benefits At Age 62?
My sister will be eligible for divorced spousal benefits. She would like to start at 62, due to low income, and her former spouse is the same age. Her FRA is 67. I believe she can still file a restricted divorced spousal benefit application. Her income is about 30K, so I am unsure if her monthly benefit will decrease the month she hits the 17040 income limit or is that decrease figured differently?
Hi,
Your sister could only file a restricted application for just divorced spousal benefits only if she was born prior to January 2 1954, and even then she . . . Read More
Category: Divorced Spousal Benefits
Posted: Oct 14 2018 - 8:32pm
Would My Wife's Child In Care Spousal Benefits Be Subject To The Earnings Test?
I am 66 just filed. My wife is 59 still working and caring for our DAC who just switched from SSI to SSDI based on my record. I understand my wife is eligible for a spousal benefit (caring for our DAC) but have 3 questions. 1) Is her benefit reduced by the earnings test (as this will effectively eliminate any benefit) 2) if reduced is that recalculated and paid back at FRA and 3) if she takes the spousal benefit now will she deemed to have filed (we would like to defer her benefit to age 70) Her spousal benefit would be ~$1,100 but her own benefit would be ~$2500 at FRA & $ . . . Read More
Category: Spousal Benefits
Posted: Oct 14 2018 - 10:40am
What Should I Do About The Denial Of My Medicare Claim?
I withdrew my application for social security last November stage 65 because I earned too much.I was told that I could reapply at age 66. I received notification in July 2018 that they accepted my withdrawal.I received a new Medicare part a card the same day stating my coverage stated Jan 1,2018.. I was recently hospitalised in August Medicare denied my claim .I called them they had no record from the hospital and advised me to contact Social Security after 3 phone calls and 5 hours of waiting Ihung up what should I do.
Hi,
I can't give you a definite . . . Read More
Category: Medicare
Posted: Oct 14 2018 - 6:58am
