Can I Collect On My Husband's Retirement Even Though I Received SSDI?
I started receiving SSDI benefits at age 58; I am now 67 and retired. My husband, who I am in the process of divorcing after 15 years, just retired at age 66. Can I collect on his retirement even though I received SSDI benefits? I was told by a financial advisor that I cannot unless he dies. Please confirm. Thank you.
Hi,
Assuming that your Social Security disability benefits (SSDI) have now been converted to Social Security retirement benefits, you could only receive additional spousal benefits from your spouse/ex-spouse while he's living if 50% of . . . Read More
Category: Divorced Spousal Benefits
Posted: Jun 7 2018 - 10:09am
Can I Collect All Of The Money In My PERS Account Until I File For Social Security?
If I can retire at 65 from a Public Employees Benefit Plan and don't wish to file for Social Security until 66 yrs and 2 months, can I collect all moneys in the PERS account until I file for Social Security? I will actually file for my ex-husbands Social Security as he made more than me during prime earning years.
Obviously this seems really unfair, because I worked and earned both Social Security and PERS, but I believe this to be true. What percentage and/or how do they decide what amount to be given to the retiree also for both SS and PERS?
Thanks,
. . . Read More
Category: Non-Covered Pension - WEP / GPO
Posted: Jun 7 2018 - 9:29am
Is It True That I Cannot Get Social Security And Have A Flexible Spending Account?
I turn 66 next year and plan on applying for SS benefits. I also plan on continuing to work. Right now I have a Flexible Spending Account. Someone said I cannot get SS and have a Flexible Spending Account? Is that true?
Hi,
Not exactly. First of all, by a Flexible Spending Account I assume you are referring to a Healthcare Savings Account (HSA). An HSA wouldn't preclude you from being able to draw Social Security benefits, but the problem is that if you are at least age 65 you couldn't draw Social Security benefits without also being automatically . . . Read More
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Jun 6 2018 - 10:11am
How Do I Report A Divorce To Social Security?
I am the recipient of SS retirement benefits. How do I report a divorce to SSA?
Hi,
You could call them at 1-800-772-1213, or you could write to or visit a Social Security office (https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp).
By the way, a divorce wouldn't have any effect on your own Social Security retirement benefits, but it could affect your eligibility for other types of benefits or the eligibility and benefit rates of other family members drawing on your record. So, when in doubt it's a good . . . Read More
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Jun 6 2018 - 9:58am
Can My Husband Delay His Social Security And Collect Spousal Off Of Mine?
I just read your book and my head is spinning and am more confused. Question: I reach FRA 66 in Sept/2018 to collect $2488. I plan on filing at FRA. My husband will reach FRA 66 in Feb 2019 to collect $2200. He plans to continue to work. Can he delay his and collect spousal off mine? If yes, approximately how much would he collect...50% or would it be less?
Hi,
Yes, if you're drawing your Social Security retirement benefits when your husband reaches age 66 he can file for spousal benefits only and allow his own benefit rate to grow until age 70. That . . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: Jun 6 2018 - 9:48am
Does Money I Draw From Investments Count Toward The $17,000?
does money I am drawing from investments count toward the $17,000?
Hi,
No, unearned income such as interest, dividends and capital gains doesn't count toward the Social Security earnings test exempt amount. Only earned income (i.e. gross wages and net earnings from self-employment) is counted (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/whileworking.html).
Best, Jerry
Category: Earnings Test
Posted: Jun 6 2018 - 9:41am
Can I Stop Medicare And Get The Money That's Being Taken Out To Pay For It?
I am a us citizen living in costa rica I have ssdi and have medicare I am 56 years old gave up my rights to medicare for a lump sum in a lawsuit . I still have medicare and would like to know if I can stop it and get the money that is still being taken out to pay for it?
Hi,
I've never heard of 'giving up rights to Medicare', so I have no idea what you mean by that. In any case, though, except for rare exceptions Medicare won't pay for medical services performed outside of the U.S. You can drop Part B (outpatient coverage) of Medicare and stop . . . Read More
Category: Medicare
Posted: Jun 5 2018 - 8:27am
Would My Wife Get My Full Benefit Rate When I Die Even If She Files For Her Own Benefits Early?
I hope you can answer a question about Social Security Benefits.
I was the higher wage earner by about 2 to 1.
My wife, Rose is now 63.5 (BD 12/1954) years old and I just turned 67 (BD 05/1951) in May 2018.
When I run a Social Security Strategy, depending on the age variables used, one results in Rose filing
now for her benefits and I file a Restricted application for spousal benefits on her account and do not
apply for the benefit on my account until I turn 70 in 2021.
In using this strategy, as Rose steps to my benefit amount upon . . . Read More
Category: Widow's Benefits
Posted: Jun 5 2018 - 7:14am
Can I Collect Benefits Early?
Early Social Security and Spouse Benefit: Age 55, I was laid off almost 2 years ago (secretary), living off IRA (already owe taxes for withdrawing), applying for SSID (had surgery), my questions are, can I collect spouse benefit (was married over 10 years) now and can I collect early Social Security benefits, but stop collecting if I were to return to work? What are my options, thank you so much for your help.
Hi,
No, you can't collect retirement benefits on your own record or divorced spousal benefits before age 62, and that's also the earliest that . . . Read More
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Jun 4 2018 - 12:23pm
Can My Grandmother Get Survivor Benefits On My Deceased Husband's Record?
Hi,
My husband recently past away after 3 months of marriage. He supported my grandmother the entire time we were dating and married ( 6 years). She is my legal guardian. Would she be able to receive his social security survivors benefit? I’m too young to receive it as I’m in my 30’s and he past away at age 60. Thank you.
Hi,
I'm sorry for your loss.
No, it doesn't sound like your grandmother could qualify for survivor benefits on your husband's record. Dependent parents can sometimes qualify for survivor benefits on a deceased child's . . . Read More
Category: Survivor Benefits
Posted: Jun 4 2018 - 9:27am