Will My Spousal Rate Be Affected By The Fact That My Husband Filed Before Full Retirement Age?
My husband is retired and started taking social security at age 65. I will be full retirement age in August (born in '52). At that time, I am planning to file for a restricted application for spousal benefits only and delay my retirement benefits til age 70. Does it matter that he was not at full retirement age when he started receiving his benefits? And are there particular documents that you must have or show when you apply? Is it best to go to SS or can I do this on-line and how can I find the form? Thanks.
Hi,
No, your spousal rate will be based . . . Read More
Category: Spousal Benefits
Posted: Feb 28 2018 - 9:41am
Can I Calm Down About Accepting My New Job?
Hi,
I've just taken a job with a school district as a custodian after 42 years paying into social security mostly in manufacturing management. I am now going into their retirement at 57 and don't plan on working much past 62 and am only now beginning to understand some of this "WEP" biz and it seems like when it's all said and done because I spent 30+ earning more than their minimum SS earning to qualify to keep some (looks like 90%). Am I heading int the right direction here and I can calm down a little in accepting this new job (no pressure, alone at night). Any help/ . . . Read More
Category: Non-Covered Pension - WEP / GPO
Posted: Feb 28 2018 - 9:31am
Will My German Pension Affect My Social Security Pension?
Am 66, receive both US and German Pensions. I am living in Germany since 29 years. Now I will start getting a widow- government pension from my late husband. Do I need to report this Pension to the Social Security Offices or not?...and if I do, will the USA reduce my Social Security Pension?...please advise....thank you
Hi,
Whether or not you choose to report your German widow's pension to Social Security, it won't have any effect on your U.S. Social Security benefits. However, the pension you receive based on your own German work likely would have . . . Read More
Category: Foreign Pensions
Posted: Feb 28 2018 - 9:24am
Can I File Just For Divorced Spousal Benefits And Let My Own Rate Grow?
I am 62 and divorced and meet all the necessary qualifications for applying Social Security benefits from my ex-husband. However, I am confused about one point. His benefit to me would be less per month than my own benefit. I would like to wait before collecting my own benefit to allow for a greater amount a few years down the road. I prefer to take the lesser benefit of my ex-husband and wait on my own. Can I do this? Or am I required to take the higher of the two options? Thank you for your help.
Hi,
Unfortunately, that option is no longer available . . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: Feb 27 2018 - 10:05am
Is Suspending Her Benefits A Good Choice For My Friend?
Hello, I am asking this for my friend Diana who will be 66 in August 2018. She currently receives social security and did so at age 62. She had a tragic fall and actually cut her arm badly and it had to be reattached. She was a hairdresser...and could not work any more. She finally got back on her feet and is working although not paid a high wage. She stays below the $16000 threshold. She would like to perhaps "suspend" her social security payments when she turns 66 until age 70, as her monthly amount is so reduced. Do you feel this is a good choice for her?
. . . Read More
Category: Suspending Retirement Benefits
Posted: Feb 27 2018 - 7:09am
Will My Social Security Payment Be Altered Because Of The PERS Pension I Receive?
I am receiving a pension from PERS from my ex-husband's employment. He is now retired. I receive
a monthly disbursement. Will my social security payment be altered because of this PERS pension?
Thank you.
Hi,
No. Since your PERS pension is based on your ex-husband's work and not your own, it wouldn't affect your Social Security benefits.
Best, Jerry
Category: Non-Covered Pension - WEP / GPO
Posted: Feb 27 2018 - 7:04am
Can I Collect Any Part Of My Husband's Social Security?
I worked for NYC civil service for 12 years and receive a small pension from them. My husband died in 2014. Can I collect any part of his social security. I am crippled and have a bad case of diverticulitis and I could use anything that I can get from my husband's social security. He worked for 30 years prior to getting injured and disabled, so hE SHOULD HAVE A BIG ACCOUNT.
Hi,
I'm sorry for your loss.
It's possible that you could be entitled to benefits on your husband's record, but if you didn't pay Social Security taxes on your civil service . . . Read More
Category: Widow's Benefits
Posted: Feb 27 2018 - 6:47am
What Strategies Can We Use That Would Benefit Us?
My wife is 66 and has been receiving $1086 /month of SS benefits for over 10 yrs. due to a disability. I am 63 still working and would receive $1461/ month if I retired at 63. What strategies can we apply that would benefit us?
Hi,
It doesn't sound like either you or your wife would ever be able to draw spousal benefits. And since you wife is already drawing her benefits, your options pretty much come down to deciding when you should take your benefits. That's a personal decision, but it may be best to wait until age 70 to do so if you can afford to . . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: Feb 26 2018 - 5:30pm
Whose Social Security Record Can My Husband's Ex Draw On?
My husbands ex as since married twice. Who’s social security can she draw on? No 3 was only 4 yrs. No I was 20 yrs, No. 2 16yrs
Hi,
Your husband's ex could potentially draw benefits on any ex-spouse's record that she was married to for at least 10 years, or for as little as 9 months if the marriage ended in death rather than divorce. She could only draw benefits on one ex's record at a time, though, and only if she meets all of the other entitlement requirements (https:// . . . Read More
Category: Divorced Spousal Benefits
Posted: Feb 26 2018 - 5:22pm
Are My Expenses Deductible For Earnings Test Purposes?
I will receive SS in March. I have been working as a realtor part time doing CMA's. I make about $20K per year but have expenses for mileage, RE fees etc. of about $8K netting $12K. Do the expenses get deducted as far as my earnings limit.
Hi,
The Social Security earnings test counts gross wages and/or net earnings from self employment (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/whileworking2.html). Therefore, assuming that you are self employed then your deductible business expenses could . . . Read More
Category: Earnings Test
Posted: Feb 26 2018 - 5:16pm
