Should I Apply For Widower's Benefits?
dear Larry I lost my wife in 1999,In 2016 I had to have bypass heart surgery and stop working iam now 60 years old getting ssi to live on should I apply for my widower death benefits, also how can I get the maximum amount. thank you.
Hi,
I'm sorry for your loss.
My answer assumes that you are receiving Social Security disability benefits (SSDI) and not Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the latter of which is a needs based program. If that's the case it sounds like you would want to file for widower's benefits now if you are eligible. . . . Read More
Category: Widow(er) Benefits
Posted: Jan 21 2018 - 11:02am
Can I File My Applications At The Same Time?
Hello:
We have run the possible scenarios through the Maximize My Social Security application. My wife will be 65 in March 2018 and I will be 66 in September 2018. The best scenario presented was for her to file now and me to file and suspend in September and apply for Spousal benefits. Some questions concerning the process:
Can I file/suspend and apply for spousal benefits at the same time this September or should they be done separately? We intend to complete all applications online (per your recommendation).
Are there items or sections of the online . . . Read More
Category: Filing For Benefits
Posted: Jan 21 2018 - 10:44am
Should I File Now Or After My Birthday?
My wife and I are grandfathered under the previous Social Security law. Following the advice of your Get What's Yours book and software, my wife filed and suspended in April 2016 shortly after she reached her full retirement age and will begin claiming her benefits on reaching age 70. I reach my FRA in April 2018 and am trying to determine when I should file the restricted application for my spousal benefit. Social Security advises to file for benefits three months in advance, but also says that for those of us who turned "62 before January 2, 2016, deemed filing rules will not . . . Read More
Category: Filing For Benefits
Posted: Jan 21 2018 - 10:30am
If I Start Drawing Railroad Benefits At Age 62, Can I File For Social Security At Age 70 Without Incurring An Age Reduction?
Hello Again Jerry - Yesterday (1/19/18) I posted a question regarding the Tier 1 age reduction created by filing for "early retirement" benefits from Social Security, and then subsequently filing for Railroad Retirement at my full retirement age of 66 years, 4 months. Shortly after sending my post I discovered the answer (noted in Railroad Retirement Board booklet RB 1, Age and Service Annuity, chapter 15 A 1, located on page# 11). Now I'd like to pose the reverse question which you may be able to help me with. If I take "early retirement" benefits from Railroad Retirement at . . . Read More
Category: Railroad Retirement & Social Security
Posted: Jan 21 2018 - 10:23am
When Can My Wife And I File Our Applications?
My wife will turn 67 on May 21st this year and plans to take her social security. I plan to take my spousal benefits at the same time. I will be 67 on June 3rd. and will let my full benefits accrue until age 70.. We are unsure of the timing . Do we need to file 3 months before her birthday and also can I file at the same time she does ( 3 months before my birthday) or does she need to be getting her checks before I can do so. Are there any deadlines we have to watch out for?
Hi,
You and your wife can file at the same time, and you can file your . . . Read More
Category: Filing For Benefits
Posted: Jan 21 2018 - 10:15am
Do I Have To Return To Social Security The Money That I've Saved In A College Fund For My Daughter?
My daughter just turned 18 and I completed the paperwork to receive benefits until she graduates. I got confirmation that benefits will continue, but they are sending the checks directly to her instead of direct deposit. I had been putting the money received into a 529 college savings program for her. I also received a letter asking that I return any saved money back to Social Security. I don't understand this, at all. We did without so that we could put that money into a good college fund. Can they do this. Please help if you can. Thank you.
Hi,
You . . . Read More
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Jan 21 2018 - 7:11am
Can I Save Money By Not Paying Medicare Premiums?
I have being retired. I plan to go to stay with my family in Vietnam for one year. I don't know if I can save money by not paying part B and part D. Money is a big matter with me for these days. Thank you very much for your idea. Sincerely yours.
Hi,
I'm assuming that you currently have Medicare Parts B & D coverage. You could opt to terminate Part B coverage as early as the end of the month after the month in which you submit your request. However, to re-enroll you'll likely need to wait for a general enrollment period (GEP), which occurs in . . . Read More
Category: Medicare
Posted: Jan 20 2018 - 5:50pm
Is It Possible That My Divorce Settlement May Limit My Rights To Social Security?
I would like to ask a question a legal issue pertaining to my divorce settlement and my Social Security and pension rights. I am getting closer to my retirement age and would like to make sure if my divorce settlement does not limit my rights to social security. At the time of signing the decree, I did not myself had an attorney and did not fully understand the implications of this decree. I hope you can help me. Thank you.
Hi,
I'm not a lawyer, so all I can tell you that you can't give up your rights to Social Security benefits via a divorce . . . Read More
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Jan 20 2018 - 5:42pm
Will I Be Able To Wait Until Age 70 To File For My Retirment Benefits?
Hello again,
It's now 2018 and I was curious whether there has been any clarification by SSA on the issue that I raised previously regarding "Can I Stay On Child-In-Care Benefits Until Age 70?" (see below). If not, any advice on what I should do is much appreciated.
Many thanks for your response.
Category:
New Law
Aug 4 2016 - 6:30pm
Our son is a disabled adult now collecting a Disabled Adult Child (DAC) benefit based on my wife's earnings history. She was born in June 1950 and started her Social Security retirement benefit early just . . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: Jan 20 2018 - 10:19am
Can I Collect On My Ex-Wife's Record If She's Age 62 And Not Yet Drawing Benefits?
I am 63 1/2 years old I collect Social Security disability my ex-wife who I was married to for 30 years been divorced now for six or seven years she just turned 62 in December can I collect on her Social Security since she will get more she is still working and plans to retire at 66 do I have to wait
Hi,
Yes, it sounds like you could potentially qualify for divorced spousal benefits if you're not currently married, but only if 50% of your ex-wife's full retirement age rate (PIA) is higher than your own full disability benefit rate. And, if you are . . . Read More
Category: Divorced Spousal Benefits
Posted: Jan 20 2018 - 10:00am
