Ask Larry: Questions and Answers | Maximize My Social Security

Displaying 7001 - 7010 of 10063 questions.

Can I File For Spousal Benefits Now And Then Switch To My Own Record At Age 66?

I will be 65 in Jan2018, and will wait until I am 66 to collect 100% ssi. My wife is currently 66 and has been on disability ssi, until she turned 66 in Aug.2017. My question ,am I able to collect 50% of her amount until I turn 66 in Jan2019? The other question is can my wife file for 50% of the amount I am entitled now or does she have to wait until I start collecting. The spousal benefit of 50% for her is significantly higher then she is currently collecting. Are either of these options available for us? My birthdate is 1/10/53 her birthdate is 8/18/51

Hi . . . Read More

Category: Filing Options
Posted: Nov 20 2017 - 7:04am

Is My Wife Entitled To Half Of My Benefit Amount?

I filed at full retirement age 66 yrs old, my wife filed at age 62 we are both over 70 is my wife entitled to half spousal benefits? Both retired!

Hi,

Not exactly. Spousal benefit rates are computed starting with 50% of the worker's full retirement age rate (PIA), and then subtracting the spouse's own PIA. Then, each benefit can be separately reduced for age depending on when the spouse started drawing the benefit.

For example, Jane's full retirement age rate (PIA) is $800, but she starts drawing at age 62 and receives a reduced rate of $600 . . . Read More

Category: Spousal Benefits
Posted: Nov 20 2017 - 6:53am

How Is My Medicare Number Determined?

My husband died at age 62 from service-connected disabilities. He received SSA disability benefits for only 6 months starting at age 61. At age 60, I applied for SSA widow's benefits. Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provisions have offset the entire SSA amount so my widow's application was suspended. I've decided to wait until age 70 to apply for my own SSA entitlement. I am now age 64 and just today I received my first Medicare card. It has my husband's SSN-D number on it. Does this mean that my entitlement for Medicare will be established on my husband's . . . Read More

Category: Medicare
Posted: Nov 19 2017 - 7:16am

Is It True That I'll Get My Age 68 Rate If I Start Drawing 6 Months Before Then?

Hi Larry,

Hope your weekend is going well.

On July 15, 2017 I turned 67 years old. In Dec 2017, I will be close to 67.5 yrs old. It means that I will be only six-months shy of my 68th birthday. I was told that within six month of my 68th B'day, I will be entitled to get full benefits equivalent to my 68 yrs age. What I mean that I don't have to wait until July 15, 2018, instead I can get start claiming the same amount equal to my 68th birthday when I claim in Dec 2017 or Jan 2018. Please advise.

Hi,

What you've heard is not correct. . . . Read More

Category: Delayed Retirement Credits
Posted: Nov 19 2017 - 6:54am

Can I Get Spousal Benefits While My Own Benefits Are In Suspense?

Hello Larry and Associates -

My wife turned 64 this month and is considering filing for her SS benefits early. Her FRA benefit is $819. I turned 67 in April of this year and, last April before the deadline, I filed and suspended my SS benefits. I intend to wait until age 70 to restart them. My FRA benefit is $2190. SSA has told her that she could receive $959/month beginning in December of this year. These benefits are based on her work record but also include spousal benefits from my work record. I have two questions.

First, if she files for SS benefits now, . . . Read More

Category: Spousal Benefits
Posted: Nov 19 2017 - 6:27am

Has Social Security Announced The 'Substantial Earnings' Amount For 2018?

Has Social Security Announced The 'Substantial Earnings' Amount For 2018

Hi,

Yes, assuming that you're referring to the substantial gainful activity (SGA) guideline for disability benefits. For non-blind individuals the 2018 amount is $1180, and for blind individuals next year's guideline is $1970 (https://www.ssa.gov/OACT/COLA/sga.html).

Best, Jerry

Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: Nov 18 2017 - 11:33am

How Will My Wife's Spousal Benefit Be Computed?

I have one question about spousal benefit. If I choose early withdrawal of age 62, will my spouse who does not have her own contribution, at her age of full retirement will get 50% of my full benefit or only 50% of reduced benefit as I started withdrawing at age 62? My plan is for her not to take spousal benefit at 62 but her full retirement age.

Please clarify and eventually when I start taking benefit I will join your maximize subscription.

Thanks
Regards
Venkatraman

Hi Venkatraman,

If your spouse waits until full . . . Read More

Category: Spousal Benefits
Posted: Nov 18 2017 - 7:38am

Do You Have Any Suggestions For Me?

Hi larry, i bought the max SS program...went online to social security and bam!
it refused my basic info...said i had to contact them...so after an hour
i got someone who said did you freeze equifax, transunion and experian ..i said yes...
so i went back and unfroze them..no easy feat...experian menu is broken...it goes in a loop and transunion someone from outside and i had to repeat myself 3 times..etc...so after $10+
i got all threef frozen credit unions temporarily lifted - called back...asked for appt on menu..an hour later get a guy called . . . Read More

Category: Filing For Benefits
Posted: Nov 18 2017 - 7:22am

Is It True That My Children & Spouse Can't Get Benefits From My Disability Record?

Hello Larry and others. I actually have 2 questions. Let me give you some information 1st. I am 40 years old and am receiving Social Security disability and SSI. I only worked part time but worked some every year from 1995 til 2013. I applied for benefits and was denied 3 times and for 3 years. When I was finally approved I received back pay from my deemed date which was 2 years I believe. My 1st question is about this. I have been told and everything I have read says that my children and my husband should be receiving payments and should have received back pay as well. They . . . Read More

Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: Nov 18 2017 - 6:57am

Which Option Should I Choose?

I was born 1952, married over 10 years, divorced, never remarried, retired. 2 options given by SS field office agent: 1. Apply for my age 66 benefits ($1500/mo) and if ex expires before me, I can apply for his death benefit ($2400/mo). 2. Apply for 1/2 his benefits ($1200/mo) and wait until my age 70 benefit ($2000) to apply for my benefits. Additional funds, if needed, w/b pulled from my investments. My financial advisor states #2 option w/b best option for me. Do you agree? If not, why? Also, if option 2 is selected and my ex husband expires after I apply, can I again apply . . . Read More

Category: Filing Strategies
Posted: Nov 17 2017 - 5:53pm

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