Ask Larry: Questions and Answers

Displaying 6351 - 6360 of 10063 questions.

Can My Wife Draw Her Social Security If It's Higher Than Her Railroad Spousal Benefit?

my wife draws half off my railroad retirement, now her social security would be more then that, can she now draw on herself

Hi,

Yes. If that's the case, though, she may be better off waiting until age 70 to file. Her Social Security retirement benefit rate would continue to grow by up to 8% per year until she reaches age 70 if she waits until then to start drawing.

Best, Jerry

Category: Railroad Retirement & Social Security
Posted: Mar 23 2018 - 10:13am

How Can I Claim My Grandmother's Final Monthly Social Security Payment?

Grandma died on Jan 2. SS check deposited on Jan 3 and the treasury reclaimed it 3 weeks later. SSA says she is not entitled to the payment because "if it was a paper check, she would not have been alive to endorse it". Grandma had no living spouse or children. I am her only living relative. Do I /should i go to probate court to file for executrix? If I do that, will i be subjected to her creditors ( $1000 credit card and a $80 phone bill) coming after me? I had to spend some of my own money on her final arrangements and the SS check is only for $1160.00. What do I do? Her life . . . Read More

Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Mar 23 2018 - 7:52am

Should I Take My Social Security Benefits Now?

I am 66 and one month, still working full time and make a fairly decent income. I am also receiving my Arizona state retirement but its only $511 a month. I wasn't employed for several years due to the economy and went through most of my retirement savings and when I was not employed I ran up some debt. I'm doing as best as I can to pay my debt off before I officially retire. I would like to keep working and my health is good, however I worry about being replaced with a younger and less expensive employee. It's happened to me before. My question is should I take my SSI benefit . . . Read More

Category: Filing Options
Posted: Mar 23 2018 - 7:38am

Am I Getting Credit For My Military Service In My Benefit Rate?

am I getting my highest social security monthly payments including my 3 years of military service and being stationed in korea.

Hi,

If all of your active duty was after 1967, or if you answered yes to the question on your Social Security application asking if you had any active military service prior to 1968 then you are almost certainly getting the proper credits for your service (https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/handbook/handbook.09/handbook-0953.html). There is no way to . . . Read More

Category: Deemed Military Wages
Posted: Mar 23 2018 - 7:29am

Would I Qualify For Benefits?

my husband had a green card and worked in florida and new york for a numder of years{ i do not know how many years} as an assistant horse trainer. He is now deceased. I would like to know if i am eligible for social security benefits. I live in the bahamas, please tell me if i would qualify.

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.

I don't have access to your husband's earnings history so I can't answer your question. Your husband would need to have worked and paid into Social Security long enough to be insured in order for you to potentially qualify for . . . Read More

Category: Survivor Benefits
Posted: Mar 23 2018 - 7:15am

Can I File And Suspend My Benefits At FRA And Receive Divorced Spousal Benefits?

My birthday is 9-6-52. Can I file for SS benefits at FRA, suspend till age 70 and receive divorced spousal benefits during the time of suspension? I was married more than 10 years, am currently unmarried, and my ex spouse is 67 and currently collecting SS benefits. Thank you.

Hi,

No, but you could file for just divorced spousal benefits only at your full retirement age (FRA) and then file for retirement benefits on your own record at age 70. If you instead file for and suspend your own retirement benefits at FRA it would prevent you from being able . . . Read More

Category: Filing Options
Posted: Mar 23 2018 - 7:06am

Where Do I Send My Proof Of Military Service?

I am retired, living in Australia and a Vietnam veterans. I am still a citizen of the United States. I receive some social security payments in conjunction with the aged pension from Australia. I understand that former military are eligible for payments due to their service but because I’m outside of the US do not know how to contact nor where to send my copy of the DD 214.

Hi,

If all of your active military service was after 1967, then Social Security wouldn't need to see proof of your active duty and your benefit rate should include all of the . . . Read More

Category: Deemed Military Wages
Posted: Mar 22 2018 - 7:26am

Do I Understand My Options Correctly?

I turned 63 last month and I am considering applying for my reduced SS benefits. My PIA at FRA IS $970 and my reduced benefit now is $770, according to my latest statement. My husband started receiving his benefits at FRA and his PIA is $2158.

I was married previously and my husband died when he was 43. We were married for 11 years and I remarried at the age of 50.

I would like to know if information I have is correct, which is based on reading MANY letters on your website.

If I apply now, I would receive a combination of my reduced benefits and reduced . . . Read More

Category: Filing Options
Posted: Mar 22 2018 - 7:03am

Will My Romanian Pension Affect My SS Benefits In The U.S.?

Hi Larry!
I was born in Romania, and worked there for 24 years. I moved to the US, became US citizen and worked for 25 years.
I paid social security taxes on both countries for the corresponding years worked in each country. I'm eligible for pension in Romania, but my concern is that it will reduce my SS benefits in the US. Is this true? All the information I found is confusing to me. Please enlighten me if you can.
Thank you!

Hi,

Yes, if you receive a pension based on your work and earnings on which you did not pay U.S. Social . . . Read More

Category: Non-Covered Pension - WEP / GPO
Posted: Mar 22 2018 - 6:54am

Can My Wife File For Her Own Benefits At Age 66 And Then Switch To Spousal Benefits When I File?

My wife and I both turned 62 prior to the end of 2015, so we are eligible to do a restricted application, as I understand the new law. The questions is this: my wife's own benefit is less than what her spousal benefit will be. I realize she can't claim the spousal benefit until I file, which likely won't be until age seventy. At age 66, however, could she file a restricted application for benefits on her own file and then, when I file, switch over to the larger spousal benefit. If so, seems to be no reason not to do it.

Thank you.

Hi,

Your . . . Read More

Category: Filing Options
Posted: Mar 22 2018 - 6:41am
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