Does The Fact That My Husband Previously Received SSDI Change His Options?
As a follow-up to your answer to my June 14, 2018 -5:17PM question: "Can I Take Spousal at FRA and allow My own Rate to Grow...."
My husband was on SSDI until 6/17 when he turned 66 and then suspended to earn DRC. Because he was on SSDI I don't think he can file for spousal benefits when I am 66 and I take my own benefit. Correct? Will your software allow for this scenerio?
Thanks Again
Hi,
Yes, as I noted in my original answer to you your husband could only file for spousal benefits only while letting his own benefit rate grow if he . . . Read More
Category: Filing Strategies
Posted: Jun 15 2018 - 8:58am
Can I Take Spousal Benefits At FRA And Allow My Own Rate To Grow Even If My Own Rate Would Be Higher?
Hello,
I was born 11/1/53 and my husband born 6/1/51. He is earning DRC since last June 2017. In 11/19 when I am 66 I will restrict my app to spousal only and my husband will start collecting his benefit at the same time. If my FRA at 66 is a little more than 1/2 of my husband's FRA that I will be entitled to, can I still take 1/2 of his and let mine earn DRC till I am 70. Thank you.
Hi,
Yes, since you were born prior to January 2 1954 you could file just for spousal benefits only at your full retirement age (FRA) regardless of how much your . . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: Jun 14 2018 - 5:17pm
Can My Husband Defer His Payments Until Age 70 And Get Spousal Benefits?
My husband and I will turn 66 in 2019. I plan on collecting Social Security at FRA. Can my husband file at age 66 and defer payments till age 70 to receive highest benefit amount. Would he qualify to receive 1/2 my SS as a spousal benefit. He was the higher income earner. I met with Social Security rep last month and he said this is true, but having read "How to get what's yours" I don't trust that I was given the correct info and it's A VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE!! thanks in advance for your assistance, Kathryn and Tim
Hi Kathryn & Tom,
Yes, since your . . . Read More
Category: Filing Strategies
Posted: Jun 14 2018 - 4:53pm
Is What I Did With My Son's Conserved Benefits Correct?
My son turned 18 on January last. He opened his own account in US dollars (here in Chile) as instructed by the SSA. I have transferred to his account all the money I collected and conserved for him during all these years. Is this correct? Do I have to inform the SSA? Thank you for your advice
Hi,
Technically, no. What you should have done instead is return the conserved funds to Social Security so that they could then reissue them to your son (https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/ . . . Read More
Category: Representative Payee
Posted: Jun 14 2018 - 4:43pm
How Soon Can I File For Spousal Benefits Prior To Turning Age 66?
Dear Larry,
Husband is 68, I am 65 and will turn 66 on January 24, 2019. We did, BARELY make it under File and Suspend on his SS at age 66. How soon can I file for half spousal benefits prior to turning 66? And, should we do this in person at SS office? Any other words of wisdom I should know before pulling trigger on this? Is there any other way to maximize our benefits? Thanks! We bought your book...that's how we were successful with File and Suspend! Thanks so much.
Hi,
So, I'm assuming that your husband filed for and suspended his benefits . . . Read More
Category: Filing Strategies
Posted: Jun 14 2018 - 12:38pm
Can I Collect Early Off Of My Husband's Record Because I'm Disabled?
Hello,
Am 51 yrs old never worked been disabled before I was 17 years old my only income is SSI . I got married in 2000. My husband now is retired he collects his pension & social security . (Keep in mind we do not live together ) . I have searched the Social Security website and all I see is when both spouses are working or when one spouse retires and the wife can collect either off her own work record at retirement age or wait until she is at retirement age to collect off the spouse. There is nothing that I have seen that says anything about a disabled spouse that . . . Read More
Category: Spousal Benefits
Posted: Jun 14 2018 - 7:36am
If I File For Benefits At Age 68 & 1/2 Should I Elect To Receive Retroactive Benefits?
I will be 69 in October, if I apply for retirement benefits now the six Months after my 68th birthday count toward my benefits or I should apply for retroactive
Months?
Hi,
You should probably wait until age 70 if possible, since that's when your retirement benefit rate would reach it's highest point. If you choose to file now (i.e. June 2018), you could select any month of entitlement from December 2017 through October 2018 and you would receive the applicable delayed retirement credits (DRC) for the number of months that you opted not to . . . Read More
Category: Delayed Retirement Credits
Posted: Jun 14 2018 - 7:14am
Will My Earnings In The First 6 Months Of 2018 Count Toward The Yearly Maximum?
I will be 62 on July 12, 2018.I have worked full time the first 6 months of 2018 and am going to start part time in July. Will the income that I earned the first 6 months of 2018 count toward the yearly maximum or does it start from the date my SS starts? How much can I earn the year that my SS starts?
Hi,
Yes your earnings in the first 6 months and the last 6 months of 2018 would count toward Social Security's earnings test exempt amount of $17,040, but you could still potentially be paid for August through December of 2018 if you earn no more than $ . . . Read More
Category: Earnings Test
Posted: Jun 13 2018 - 5:06pm
Are There Any Loopholes That Would Help My Friend?
My good friend and his boyfriend have been living together for over 20 years. They finally got married just recently. They got married on or about 4/21/2018 and unfortunately, his spouse passed away on 5/20/2018. Upon initial internet research and when he walked into the SSA to ask questions, we discovered that he is ineligible to receive his belated husband's social security because of the length of their marriage. I believe they should have been married for at least 9 months? in order for my friend to receive the benefit. Do you know of any loopholes or have any advice for . . . Read More
Category: Widow(er) Benefits
Posted: Jun 13 2018 - 4:44pm
Am I Eligible For Spousal Benefits While I'm Still Working And Not At FRA?
I am 64, born 11/01/1953, still working and don't plan on retiring until I'm 70, my husband is 64 and has been receiving social security disability for 3 years. Am I eligible for spousal benefits while I'm still working and not at FRA?
Hi,
Probably not. If you filed for spousal benefits prior to your full retirement age (FRA) you would be deemed to also be filing for reduced retirement benefits on your own record, and you would then only be eligible for spousal benefits if 50% of your husband's SSDI rate is higher than your own full retirement age . . . Read More
Category: Spousal Benefits
Posted: Jun 13 2018 - 4:30pm
