What Does My Husband Need To Do?
My husband turns 66 in March 2018. He wants to wait to receive benefits until he turns 70. Does he need to file now and then request a restriction (if this is the correct terminology) or does he just do nothing until turning 70 in 2022? Additionally, I am currently 63 and contemplating filing for reduced benefits when I turn 64 in October 2018. If he is waiting on taking his own benefits until 2022, can he, in the mean time, file for spousal benefits on my account once I start receiving benefits in October 2018? If he does this, will it impact what either of us will receive . . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: Mar 1 2018 - 7:59am
Can I Get Surviving Divorced Spouse's Benefits?
I am 70, and retired at my full benefit age of 66 in 2013. My x-spouse (we divorced in 2002) is retired & receiving Social Security. Can I get Surviving Spousal Benefits?
Hi,
If your ex dies before you and you were married to your ex for at least 10 years, and if your ex's benefit rate is higher than yours and if you are unmarried or you remarried after age 60, then yes you could be eligible for surviving divorced spousal benefits.
Best, Jerry
Category: Divorced Widow(er) Benefits
Posted: Mar 1 2018 - 7:35am
If My Friend Receives A Pension From Another Country Will Social Security Deduct It From His Survivor Benefit?
My friend is receiving SSS Survivor Benefit and if he received SSS pension from another
country will SSS deduct that from his SSS survivor benefit?
Hi,
No. Foreign pensions do not affect Social Security survivor benefits.
Best, Jerry
Category: Foreign Pensions
Posted: Feb 28 2018 - 4:29pm
What Month Should I Choose In Order To Start Benefits At Age 68?
I want to apply for social security when I turn 68 on April 24. Birth year 1950. I want to get the optimum increase in payment for waiting two years after 66. What date do I sign up to receive my payment? April, May June?
Hi,
To qualify for 24 months of delayed retirement credits (DRC), you would choose to start benefits effective with April. However, you will initially only receive credit for the DRCs earned through December 2017 (i.e. 21 months). You would then be due a recomputation effective with your payment for January 2019 to give you credit . . . Read More
Category: Delayed Retirement Credits
Posted: Feb 28 2018 - 4:10pm
Can My Wife File For Spousal Benefits And Leave Hers To Gain 8% Per Year?
My wife is 66 (born 1951)and receives $1086 SS benefits since1995 for disability but now at her age she's at FRA receiving benefit. I am 63 and still planning to work until 70. Can my wife file a spouse benefit and leave hers gaining that 8 %/yr. and come back to hers when she's 70 ? Or what other strategies are out there for us to maximize our SS benefits ? I also thought of filing and suspending at my FRA and receive 50% of my wife's benefit. Would I be eligible ? Thank you in advance and the good Lord bless you for what you do.
Hi,
No, your wife . . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: Feb 28 2018 - 10:42am
What Should I Expect When I Report The Adoption Of Our Granddaughter To Social Security?
My husband (age 68 )and I (age 67) have just adopted our two year old granddaughter. His social security-formerly disability is more than double mine. When I report this to social security, what should I expect, or what should I tell them that I want?
Thanks,
Diane
Hi Diane,
It sounds like you would want to claim Social Security child's benefits for your granddaughter based on your husband's record. But, if you are drawing any spousal benefits on your husband's record then it may also be advantageous for your granddaughter to establish . . . Read More
Category: Child Benefits
Posted: Feb 28 2018 - 10:33am
What Would Be Our Best Strategy To Collect Benefits?
Hi Larry:
Both my husband and I turn 66 this year (2018). Neither of us have taken any benefits. His benefit at FRA is $2,720/month, and mine will be $1,282/month (5 months later than his FRA date). What would be our best strategy to collect our benefits? Would spousal benefits work here, and for which one of us would it work the best? If one of us can hold off until 70, which one? Thanks!
Hi,
Based on the information in your question, it sounds like it may be best for you to file for your benefits either at your full retirement age (FRA) or . . . Read More
Category: Filing Strategies
Posted: Feb 28 2018 - 10:24am
Can I Get My Deceased Husband's Benefits When He Would Have Been Age 62?
Can I get my deceased husbands benefits when he would have been 62
Hi,
When you could qualify for widow's benefits depends on your age, not your husband's. Widow's benefits can be paid at a reduced rate as early as age 60, or age 50 for disabled widow's. For full list of the requirements for widow's benefits, refer to Social Security's handbook: https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/handbook/handbook.04/handbook-0401.html.
It sounds like you may have a number of options . . . Read More
Category: Widow's Benefits
Posted: Feb 28 2018 - 10:17am
How Would Winning Some Money Affect Your Benefits?
if a person who is on rrr wins some money how does that affect your mounthly earning
Hi,
Winning money wouldn't affect a person's Social Security benefits unless the IRS considered the winnings to be earned income (e.g. money won by a professional gambler). Even then it wouldn't affect a person's ability to receive their benefits if they are full retirement age or older (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/whileworking2.html). I think the same rules apply to Railroad Retirement . . . Read More
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Feb 28 2018 - 10:07am
When Can I File On My Ex-Husband's Record?
I have been divorced for 4 years now and i was married for 34 years. I received 1/2 of 401k and 1/2 of pension plan just this year. My ex-husband is planning to file for early retirement at age 62. Will I be able to file as well or will I have to wait until I am 65 years of age ? Also, will this 401K and pension affect me when I do file on his benefits as to how much I will receive or will I automatically receive 50% of his benefits? And when could I file on his benefits because I am not making enough income to survive. And also, can I work and collect on his benefits when he . . . Read More
Category: Divorced Spousal Benefits
Posted: Feb 28 2018 - 9:50am
