Ask Larry: Questions and Answers

Displaying 6311 - 6320 of 10063 questions.

When Can My Brother Start Collecting Benefits On My Mother's Record?

My father passed away in Feb 2018 at age 67. He started Social Security as a disability benefit. When my mom turn full retirement age, she started collecting a spousal benefit and is now collecting a widow's benefit. My mom is 67 and plans to delay her own benefit until age 70. My brother has Schizophrenia and was disabled before age 22. However, brother is currently collect SSI and SDI on his own record. I want to know if and how my mom can let my brother collect Social Security under her record. Social Security told my mom she could reapply for my brother since they did not . . . Read More

Category: Disabled Adult Child Benefits
Posted: Mar 30 2018 - 5:22pm

Should I Start Taking Social Security Now?

I am a 67 year old woman working as an adjunct professor at an area college. My salary is low and is subsidized by a small alimony payment and additional part-time work I get seasonally. I originally decided to wait to collect on my social security until I was age 70, to maximize my benefits, but am concerned that the laws governing social security may change. Is is still wise to wait to collect, or should I start taking social security now? My second question is, "Would it be wise to collect on my former husband's social security instead of my own? I would get about $850/month . . . Read More

Category: Filing Strategies
Posted: Mar 30 2018 - 4:46pm

Have The GPO Rules Changed?

I asked this question yesterday and gave the wrong information. My husband and I are both retired. He receives Social Security. Because I worked in a school for 20 years I did not pay into S.S. yet I was told I had to take a benefit when I retired which would be pro-rated because of my GPO work. Has this changed or do I still have to use the offset rule?

Hi,

No, the Government Pension Offset (GPO) regulation hasn't changed, so it sounds like any Social Security spousal or survivor benefits for which you may qualify would likely be reduced by 2/3rds of . . . Read More

Category: Non-Covered Pension - WEP / GPO
Posted: Mar 30 2018 - 12:09pm

Does GPO Apply To Me?

My husband, age 65, passed away earlier this month. He retired in 2012 after many years of service as a federal employee. He drew a monthly pension from his federal employment. He also began collecting Social Security around age 62. He had paid in his 40 quarters prior to becoming a federal employee. Due to GPO, the Social Security benefit he collected was greatly reduced, (his check was around $345, I believe.) I am 62. I have also paid in my 40 quarters, but have not filed for Social Security.
Can you tell me what is my best option to maximize my Social Security . . . Read More

Category: Widow's Benefits
Posted: Mar 30 2018 - 7:53am

Could I Draw Benefits Off Of My First Spouse If I Divorce My Second Spouse?

i WAS MARRIED 21 YEARS TO MY FIRST SPOUSE HE DIED IN DECEMBER i REMARRIED AND HAVE BEEN MARRIED FOR AT LEAST 20. I HAVEN'T LIVED WITH MY SECOND SPOUSE FOR THE LAST 4 YEARS. IF I DIVORCE MY SECOND SPOUSE CAN I DRAW BENEFITS OFF OF THE FIRST SPOUSE. MY SECOND SPOUSE WAS YOUNGER THAN ME AND I WOULDN'T DRAW HALF THE AMOUNT THAT WOULD COME FROM MY FIRST SPOUSE.

Hi,

Yes, assuming that you meet the other requirements for entitlement to surviving divorced spousal benefits (https:// . . . Read More

Category: Divorced Widow(er) Benefits
Posted: Mar 30 2018 - 7:41am

Will My State Of MA Survivor Pension Cause An Offset Of My Social Security Benefits?

Hello Larry. Thank you in advance for any light you can shed on my questions. I've talked with the Social Security office a couple of times, as well as the State of Massachusetts retirement office, and I am getting differing answers. When I dropped in to my local SS office to ask questions in person I got two different calculations from the same representative and wasn't sure if any of it was correct.
I have primarily been a full time mom and homemaker and so have no social security of my own to draw on. I’m currently 58. My late husband died at the age of 57 in 2010. He . . . Read More

Category: Non-Covered Pension - WEP / GPO
Posted: Mar 30 2018 - 7:21am

Can I Receive My Full Benefits At My Full Retirement Age If I Retired Two Years Ago?

I have been retired for two years now, retired early (age 63). Upon my full retirement age can I collect my full benefits? Thanks Larry

Hi,

If by 'retired' you mean that you started drawing your Social Security benefits 2 years ago, then the answer is no. When you reach your full retirement age (FRA) your reduced retirement benefits would continue to be paid at the same rate.

On the other hand, if you mean that you stopped working 2 years ago but haven't yet started drawing your Social Security benefits, then the answer would be yes. If you . . . Read More

Category: Retirement Benefits
Posted: Mar 30 2018 - 7:11am

Is There A Limit On What I Can Make Through Distributions From My Subchapter S Corporation?

I will be turning 62 this year in November and am considering taking Social Security benefits. However, I still plan to work. I have my own business (a subchapter S corporation). I pay myself a minimal salary and take distributions for the rest of the income. My question: Is there a limit to what I can make through distributions from my Subchapter S Corporation? Just wonder if it is the same limit as it is for regular income.

Hi,

The only type of income that counts for Social Security's earnings test ( . . . Read More

Category: Earnings Test
Posted: Mar 30 2018 - 6:57am

Am I Entitled To Any Of My Husband's Military Pension?

I am 82 yrs of age. My husband (age 83) and I have been retired for over 20 yrs. He received military retirement and I receive a pension from my school work (secretarial) of over 20 years. Am I entitled to any or part of his military pension now or when he has passed (if he dies before me)?

Hi,

I'm sorry, but Social Security is my only area of expertise and I know very little about military and VA pensions. The only thing that I can tell you is that if you do receive a military/VA pension based on your husband's service it won't affect any Social . . . Read More

Category: Veterans Benefits
Posted: Mar 30 2018 - 6:52am

Is This Legal?

My mom passed away on Feb.1. Her SS check due from January was not deposited in her account. We have filled out the form to get this last check but are being denied because we do not have birth certificate on file anywhere and no record of her baptism. Is this legal?

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.

If your mother was already receiving benefits, Social Security shouldn't need proof of her age. They may, however, need your birth certificate in order to prove your relationship to your mother. Underpayments due to a deceased beneficiary are paid out . . . Read More

Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Mar 29 2018 - 4:36pm
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