Will My Wife Be Able To Increase Her Benefits To Half Of My FRA Amount When I File For My Benefits At 70?
My (DOB 9/1951 )PIA is $2,644 and my wife's (DOB 2/1953 ) PIA is $917 our plan is to file for her benefits at her FRA (2/2019) and at the same time I would file a restricted application for for spousal benefits. I am planing to continue working and file for my benefits at 70 ( 9\2021 ) and collect her spousal benefits until then. My question is when I file for my benefits at 70 will my wife be able to increase her benefits to 1/2 of my FRA benefits?
Thanks, Bruce
Hi Bruce,
Yes, your wife could file for spousal benefits when you file for . . . Read More
Category: Filing Strategies
Posted: Jun 4 2018 - 9:09am
Can I Postpone Getting My Social Security Until Age 70 But Get Half Of What My Husband Was Receiving Now?
My husband of 40 years passed away 2 years ago and I am about to turn 66. I was wondering if I could postpone getting my social security until I was 70 but take half of what my husband was receiving before he died.
Hi,
I'm sorry for your loss.
Actually, in most cases widow's benefits are paid at the deceased husband's full benefit rate, not 50% like spousal benefits on a living spouse's record. But, yes you could potentially file now for widow's benefits and switch to your own record at age 70 if your own rate is higher than your widow's rate . . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: Jun 4 2018 - 8:58am
Is What Social Security Told Me Accurate?
Hi Larry, I will be turning 67 in July, and don't plan on taking SS benefits till 70. My wife has been getting benefits since 62, she turned 67 this past March. I had asked you if I was eligible for SSI and you thought I was for half of her allowance till I make my claim. I am still working and my wife works part time. the SSA office told me I was not eligible because we have a combined income of 80k/ month. Just wanted to check with you to see if this is accurate. Thank you.
Hi,
First off, let's make sure we're all using the same terminology. If you . . . Read More
Category: Spousal Benefits
Posted: Jun 3 2018 - 12:08pm
Can I Draw Spousal Benefits Even Though My Husband Is Still Working?
Am I able to draw spousal benefits even though my husband is still working? We have been legally separated for 16 yrs. I started taking my benefits when I turned 62, I'll be 67 July 1. He was 64 in May but won't retire until he's 66, if then. Also, would divorce affect my spousal benefits?
Thank you.
Hi,
You couldn't be eligible for spousal benefits at least until your husband starts drawing his benefits, and even then you could only qualify if 50% of your husband's full retirement age rate (PIA) is more than your own PIA. And, if your . . . Read More
Category: Spousal Benefits
Posted: Jun 3 2018 - 9:49am
Will I Lose My Benefits When I Get Married?
I'm 66 and going to get married in September this year will I loss my social security. My husband to be will be 73
Hi,
Assuming that you're receiving Social Security retirement benefits based on your own work record then the answer is no. Nor would getting married have any effect on widow's benefits or survivor benefits on the record of a former husband.
Furthermore, after you're married it's possible that you might become eligible for spousal benefits on your new husband's record, but only if 50% of his full retirement age rate (PIA) is . . . Read More
Category: Marriage
Posted: Jun 3 2018 - 7:17am
How Would Getting Married Affect Me?
Hello I am currently receiving social security disability, private long term disability payments and sporadic child support payments for my child under 18 and children over 18. I am 49 years old and will turn 50. My question is that I have been contemplating marrying my significant other who is about to turn 70 in July. He currently his public retirement funds and plan to apply when he turn 70 in July. I am aware that because he recieves PERS, that his social security retirement amount will be reduced. Are there benefits in marrying him or will marriage penalize us, and i lose . . . Read More
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Jun 2 2018 - 9:41am
Could This Man File For Divorced Spousal Benefits And Receive A Benefit For His Child?
If a man just turned 66, was divorced twice and has one child age 16 with ex-wife #2. Can he file for spousal benefits on ex-wife #1 record and receive a benefit for the 16 year old child?
Hi,
No. The man could potentially file just for divorced spousal benefits on ex-wife #1's record and defer filing for his own benefits until later assuming that he meets all of the entitlement requirements for divorced spousal benefits (https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/handbook/handbook.03/ . . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: Jun 2 2018 - 9:22am
Can I Earn Up To $45360 Next Year Without Being Penalized?
I turn 66 December 31 2019 - I was told that I can receive my SSA benefits because I will be 66 in the year of 2019. I do plan to continue to work and was told as long as I made under $45..350 I would not be penalized is this true?
How will this affect my taxes?
Hi,
Yes, as long as you earn less than the earnings test exempt amount in 2019 you could potentially draw benefits starting with January 2019 and not lose any of your benefits to the earnings test. And, even though you won't reach your full retirement age (FRA) of 66 until the last day . . . Read More
Category: Earnings Test
Posted: Jun 1 2018 - 5:08pm
How Will Our Situation Work?
My fiancee and I are looking at getting married now that his divorce is final. They were married for approximately 50 years. We have four children together all under 16 years of age. He will be 70 this year and i am obviously of child bearing age. we will be applying for social security once he is 70. how does this work? I am a stay at home mother and never really worked. Two of our children are still in diapers. His ex-wife has to wait 2 years before she can put in a claim against his social security. side note... he is incarcerated and i know he isn't eligible personally to . . . Read More
Category: Child Benefits
Posted: Jun 1 2018 - 7:37am
Should I File At Age 62 If I Have A Younger Wife And Minor Child?
I'm 61 years old Income $41500 I plan on working up into my 70's if I can
My wife is 42 $21000
Daughter 10
I'm like to take my Social Security at 62 so that I can take advantage of my daughters 50% (until 18) and my wives 50% until my daughter turns 16 even if I don't get a penny on mine until 66.6 because of my income
With the above info ...what is my best strategy?
Hi,
First of all, it sounds like you may have a misconception about how the earnings test works ( . . . Read More
Category: Earnings Test
Posted: May 31 2018 - 4:25pm
