Ask Larry: Questions and Answers | Maximize My Social Security

Displaying 7011 - 7020 of 10063 questions.

Is This True?

My in laws are under the assumption that they will lose their social security benefits if they drop plan B. Is this true? And if not, I can't believe it is, can you point me to information to help them understand they won't lose their benefits.

Hi,

No, that's not true. Social Security eligibility is entirely separate and distinct from Medicare. However, if your in-laws do drop Part B they may have to pay a higher premium rate if they decide to re-enroll in the future, and there are only certain enrollment periods in which you can sign up.

I . . . Read More

Category: Medicare
Posted: Nov 17 2017 - 8:00am

Can My Wife Start Drawing Her Retirement Benefits And Then Switch To Spousal Benefits Later?

Hi Larry, my wife is 62, I am 60. I plan to file for my retirement benefit at 70. My wife's estimated retirement benefit will be less than her estimated spousal benefit. Can she file for her retirement benefit, then switch later to her spousal benefit at 72 (the age she will be when I file). If yes, is her spousal benefit affected by the age when she files for her retirement benefit. Would she be better off filing now at 62 or waiting until her FRA?

Hi,

Your wife can't switch from her own record to drawing spousal benefits, but she could potentially . . . Read More

Category: Filing Options
Posted: Nov 17 2017 - 7:41am

Can A Person Switch From Their Own Record To Spousal Benefits?

Hi - Both spouses were born in 1952. Let's say the wife files at full retirement age and the husband files a restricted application and takes spousal benefits. Later on, when the husband reaches 70 and takes his own benefits, can the wife switch to spousal benefits if it is higher?

Hi,

The wife in your scenario could not switch to spousal benefits, but she could potentially become eligible for additional spousal benefits when her husband files. A spouse's benefit rate is calculated at 50% of the worker's full retirement age benefit rate (PIA) minus . . . Read More

Category: Spousal Benefits
Posted: Nov 17 2017 - 7:35am

Does Social Security Still Consider Me Disabled?

Hi Larry,
I was approved for SSI after the first try... I have Bipolar and Schizophrenia .... My medical records were very extensive...
My question is this... I received SSI for a little over a year, before My husband was approved for SSDI....for ruptured disks... They reduced my payments to zero and cut off my Medicaid ... We only get $1733 after His Medicare comes out... not enough to live...
Do they still consider Me disabled if I get no check or medical?.. The only thing the letter said, was... the new income to the household increased.... so, do they . . . Read More

Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: Nov 17 2017 - 7:15am

What Options Does My Son Have?

My son was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder - bipolar type last year. He is being treated and has a monthly injection that costs $1600, plus the monthly doctor visit of $90. He is 25 and is currently on my health insurance through my work. We've been able to get a coupon through the manufacturer of the medication and they've have been able to negotiate the cost of the medication to $10 a month. He will be turning 26 in January and will not be able to be on my insurance. I'm trying to find the best options for my son to continue to receive the treatments. I'm thinking . . . Read More

Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: Nov 17 2017 - 6:47am

Will My Wife Be Able To Draw Spousal Benefits While I'm Drawing My Benefits?

I am going to turn 62 on Jan 2019 and considering to take social security benefits at minimum retirement age of 62 and 6 months. We both are US citizens by naturalization. My wife has been a home maker and do not have her own contribution and her birth date is 09/12/1963. When she turns minimum retirement age, can she also avail spousal benefits while I still receive my social security benefits?

Some people say she can only receive after my demise . is that true? Please calirify

Thanks
Venkatraman

Hi Venkatraman,

First of all, . . . Read More

Category: Spousal Benefits
Posted: Nov 17 2017 - 6:35am

Will I Lose My Divoced Spousal Benefits If I Remarry?

I was married for more than 25 years and currently have low income. I am considering marrying my foreign boyfriend who does not have any income history (complicated) but if we marry and together we do not have income -- will I still lose my social security benefits based on my ex husband's salary? I feel that I deserve that benefit because my ex's social security benefit will be based on a business we built together where I was only paid 3 years out of 17. I know I was stupid. Trying not to be again.

Hi,

You couldn't draw divorced spousal benefits on . . . Read More

Category: Divorced Spousal Benefits
Posted: Nov 17 2017 - 6:29am

Would It Improve My Chances If I Divorce?

I am about to apply for sod. Would it improve my chances if I got a divorce?
I am very ill

Hi,

I'm sorry to hear about your illness.

I don't know what you mean by 'sod'. If you're applying for Social Security disability benefits (SSDI), then your marital status won't have any impact on your eligibility or benefit rate. However, if you're planning to apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), then your eligibility could be affected by your marital status depending on your living arrangements and your husband's income and resources . . . Read More

Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: Nov 16 2017 - 10:06am

Will My Sons Qualify For Benefits On Their Father's Record?

Dear Larry,
I'm currently divorced from my husband and he is trying to get his disability benefits. We have 2 boys who are 17 and 13. Will my sons qualify for benefits from him? And if so what do I need to do to ensure that my boys get their benefits? He currently isn't paying no child support and they both reside with me.

Hi,

Potentially, yes. It sounds like both of your son's would qualify for child benefits on your ex's record if he ends up getting disability, but there is a special family maximum benefit formula used to calculate family . . . Read More

Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: Nov 16 2017 - 9:49am

How Much Will My Husband Receive If I Die Before Him?

My husband took social security at age 62. My birthday is in Aug. of 1953. I plan to wait to file at age 66 on my husbands benefit and wait until 70 to file against mine. What will my husband receive in social security benefits if I die: (1) before receiving benefits; (2) after age 70?

Hi,

In the event of your death, your husband could receive the higher of his own benefit rate or your full benefit rate. Your husband's potential unreduced widower's rate would be calculated as your full retirement age rate (PIA) augmented by any delayed retirement . . . Read More

Category: Widow(er) Benefits
Posted: Nov 16 2017 - 9:31am

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