Can I collect my social security, I'm disabled 55 years old and got denied for disability
Hi,
No. The only way that you can collect Social Security benefits based on your own work record prior to age 62 is if you qualify for disability benefits (SSDI). If you have an impairment that prevents you from working, you may want to consider filing an appeal (https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10041.pdf) on the disallowance of your SSDI claim or reapply.
Best, Jerry
I am 72 years old and my husband is 77. We both collect our SS. His is $17,600. Mine is $14,000. We are both retired and not working. I was told that I can claim 50% of his SS. Is it true? How do I do that. Thanks.
Hi,
No. What you are referring to is a spousal benefit, and you could only get spousal benefits if 50% of your husband's full retirement age rate is more than your own full retirement age rate. Based on the amounts cited in your question that's apparently not true in your case, although you could check with Social Security to be sure . . . Read More
What is the best month to file to get the most DRC, delayed retirement credits, until the SSA updates their system to give full credits? Is it December or January? If I file three months ahead, according to the SSA, to get a January payment, I would need to file in October. Also, according to the SSA, the January payment is not payable until the following month. YOu must have lived the entire month to collect.
Hi,
There isn't necessarily a 'best' month, but in order to immediately receive credit for all of the delayed retirement credits (DRC) you've . . . Read More
Am I eligible to receive extra social security benefits having served on active duty from Feb. 1956 to Feb. 1959?
Hi,
Not necessarily. What you would be eligible for are military wage credits (MWC) and deemed military wages (DMW) for that period of time. Those extra wage credits could then be used in the calculation of your retirement benefit rate, which may or may not increase your rate depending on how much you earned in other years.
For more information on MWCs refer to this section of Social Security's Handbook: . . . Read More
I will turn 66 on april 13, 2019 will social security adjust how much I can make for the first 3 months of the year?
Hi,
If you just want to draw benefits starting with April 2019, it won't matter how much you earn in the first 3 months of 2019. But, if you want to draw reduced benefits starting with January 2019, you'll need to earn less than the 2019 exempt amount in the first 3 months of next year. The exempt amount for people reaching full retirement age in 2018 is $45,360, so it should be at least that much in 2019.
Before deciding when . . . Read More
Does your esplanner software cover all the things that your Maximize my Social Security software covers, or are we better off buying both?
Hi,
The ESPlanner does not optimize Social Security, but MaxiFi does. The video on the homepage of this site is a nice introduction to our software options, and you can use the 'contact us' link at the bottom of the homepage if you have further questions about the software.
Best, Jerry
I filed and suspended 1/1/16 at age 66. My wife may file for ss at age 66 on 12/2/18. Can I file for spousal benefits when she files for ss?
Hi,
You can file, but you'll only be eligible for spousal benefits if 50% of your wife's full retirement age rate (PIA) is higher than your PIA. Since you've already filed for your own retirement benefits, even if they are suspended, that continues to be your primary benefit for life. If you subsequently file for spousal benefits the most you could receive as a spouse is the difference between your own benefit . . . Read More
I would like to know if I am understanding this correctly. I am 63 yrs. old. I have to wait until my full retirement age of 66 and 2 months to receive spousal benefits, then collect my own at age 70. My husband is already collecting his full benefits. Thank you
Hi,
No, that strategy won't work for you. Congress changed the law in 2015 to require people born after January 1 1954 to also file for their own benefits whenever they file for spousal benefits, even if they file for spousal benefits at full retirement age (FRA) or later. If you had been . . . Read More
If a person works for six mo. and makes a lot of money and collects SSI. Number one has that person done any thing wrong. If that she goes over the limit will she lose there SSI benefits, What is the limits and if that person is over the limits what will SS take back.
Hi,
If a person who is under full retirement age (FRA) and drawing Social Security earns too much, it can result in a full or partial offset of their benefits. In 2018, people who won't reach their FRA before the end of the year are permitted to earn up to $17,040 without losing any of . . . Read More
My brother recently died at 68. He started receiving soc.sec. benefits at 62 in the amount of @1600 monthly.
His wife, also 68, is a retired school teacher who was never eligible for soc. sec. and draws a teacher pension in the amount of @51000 a year. Isn't she eligible for some amount of social security survivor benefits?
Thank you.
Hi,
I'm sorry for your loss.
The answer to your question is probably not, except for a $255 one-time death benefit. It sounds like your brother's wife would also technically qualify for widow's . . . Read More
Results will differ based on your specific case and filing strategy.