Does Becoming A US Citizen Affect My Benefit Rate Or Exempt Me From WEP?
Good day,
Thanks for the web site, I was born in Canada and just recently became a US Citizen, will that affect my Social security amount, will that eliminate the WEP. Since I am a now a US citizen I feel that I should get my full benefits and not only the percent calculation I am receiving now. Thanks for your time.
Hi,
Your citizenship status would almost certainly not affect your benefit rate, but it wouldn't hurt to check with Social Security. Becoming a US Citizen would definitely not exempt you from the Windfall Elimination Provision ( . . . Read More
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Dec 4 2017 - 7:35am
Could My New Wife And Step Children Receive Benefits On My Record?
im 73 yo male collecting full benefits...looking to get a divorce and remarrying . a divorcee with 2 small children ages 4 and 7..will my ss benefits assist me in raising the 2 children and new wife..they are not from the united states..and if i passed away later in life will they be able to benefit from my ss... thank you..
Hi,
Whether or not your new wife and step-children could qualify to receive benefits on your record depends largely on their country of citizenship and residency. The following Social Security pamphlet contains information on . . . Read More
Category: Eligibility For Benefits
Posted: Dec 4 2017 - 7:25am
Should I Apply For Widow's Benefits At Age 60?
Hello Larry,
I have a complicated issue. In 2003 my husband died and myself and 2 children have been receiving SS Survivor benefits since. Mine will end this month due to my youngest turning 16 in Jan. But my oldest is disabled(he will turn 18 on 4/11/18) I am almost 59!! I have also homeschooled for the past 7 yrs and my oldest will not graduate until 2019(I put in for his continuation due to that issue as well) I went in to the SS office to deem my son disabled so I could continue receiving my portion, so mine is on hold while they determine if he is disabled. I dont . . . Read More
Category: Collecting Off Of Two Spouses
Posted: Dec 4 2017 - 6:47am
Which Application Should I Fill Out In Order To Draw Widower Benefits?
I am 80 years old and drawing Social Security and SSI, my wife just passed away (we had been separated 18 yrs., never divorced). I would like to know which application I am supposed to fill out in order to draw her Social Security in stead of mine.
Hi,
I'm sorry for your loss.
The paper application form for widow(er) benefits is an SSA-10, but paper applications are almost never used by Social Security these days. You can file for widower benefits by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, or by visiting a Social Security office.
. . . Read More
Category: Filing For Benefits
Posted: Dec 4 2017 - 6:41am
What Do We Do Now?
hello thks for your input. my husband former OTR Truck Driver.... we filed a claim 3 years ago got denied ...appealed now going on 4 years denied again...we opted not to use a lawyer because everything was in order all x-rays, Doctor's opinions the whole 9 yards. my husband suffers extremely we have a 12 yr old son we are raising. And he cant participate in that even. The man is bed ridden three quarters of the day. he gets many monthly shots to be able to move but they do not help. We have been living on one income. I have used all the resources i possibly can. I cannot . . . Read More
Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: Dec 3 2017 - 5:34pm
Could My Husband Suspend His Benefits If He Returns To Work?
My husband turned 62 last month and will be applying for early retirement social security benefits (on the advice of our CPA). He hasn't worked since the end of 2014 but would still like to. If he does retire to work it would most likely be in a consulting position and he would be self employed paying both parts of social security (employer and employee). If he returns to work could he suspend his benefits and would he continue earning credits?
Thank you.
Hi,
Your husband couldn't voluntarily suspend his benefits prior to his full retirement . . . Read More
Category: Filing Options
Posted: Dec 3 2017 - 5:20pm
Does The Pension I Receive Count Toward The Monthly And Yearly Amount Allowed?
I am 60 and started receiving widows benefits in May of 2017. I also receive a portion of my husbands pension. I understand the pension was not used in calculating my monthly ss widows benefit, but will it count against me as income over the monthly and yearly amount allowed? Or is that only if I become employed?
Please advise
Hi,
Income from pensions is not considered as countable earned income for Social Security earnings test purposes (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/ . . . Read More
Category: Earnings Test
Posted: Dec 3 2017 - 7:22am
Does The Present Tax Bill Include The Elimination Of WEP?
Does the present tax bill include the elimination of the Windfall Elimination Program?
Hi,
I don't know. I haven't heard anything like that mentioned, nor have I read the legislation. The Senate and House have each passed different bills, so the actual details of the bill that may eventually be passed into law remain to be determined.
Best, Jerry
Category: Non-Covered Pension - WEP / GPO
Posted: Dec 3 2017 - 7:06am
How Do I Go About Claiming Back Payments?
My husband passed away April 2014. I was not working at the time. I called Social Security the day after his passing to ask about receiving widows benefits and was told I was not qualified. I went into the Social Security office August 2016 to inquire about my own SS benefits because I was going to turn 65 the following Nov and also inquired again about my widows benefits, I still was not working, they said I was not eligible. I started working October 2016 and have been working up to present time...I visited the SS office this Oct.m 2017 to ask about my SS and at that time . . . Read More
Category: Widow's Benefits
Posted: Dec 3 2017 - 6:46am
Do Medicare Deductions Reduce The Taxable Amount Of My Income?
when the ins co deduct $134/mo from my social security check does this reduce the taxable amount of my income
Hi,
I assume that the $134 monthly deduction to which you are referring is your Part B Medicare premium. Those premiums do not reduce the amount of your Social Security income that could potentially be taxable. For more information on taxation of Social Security benefits, refer to the Social Security website: https://www.ssa.gov/planners/taxes.html.
Best, Jerry
Category: Taxation Of Benefits
Posted: Dec 3 2017 - 6:29am