Ask Larry: Questions and Answers | Maximize My Social Security

Displaying 7051 - 7060 of 10063 questions.

Who Gets To Draw Benefits As A Surviving Spouse?

My Husband has married 2 women and we are still married if he dies who gets to draw on his SSI ?

Hi,

Potentially, both of you. A widow can be eligible for benefits based on a marriage lasting at least 9 months, whereas a divorced spouse must have been married to their deceased ex-spouse for a minimum of 10 years in order to qualify for surviving divorced spousal benefits. There is no limit on how many surviving divorced spouses may qualify for benefits on the same record as a widow.

On the other hand if you're referring to a bigamous marital . . . Read More

Category: Survivor Benefits
Posted: Nov 10 2017 - 11:26am

Should I Start My Benefits Now And Apply For Divorced Spousal Benefits When I'm Eligible?

Larry, I have read your book 3 times but am still unsure what to do. I am 64, born in Dec 1952, and in the middle of getting divorced. Hope for it to be final in next 6 months. Have been married 32 yrs. My husband is 65, will be 66 May 2018. He is a high earner, I was mostly stay at home mom. He plans to work until age 70, neither of us has filed for any benefits yet.

My current s.s. amount at age 64 is about $637 a month. My question is, should I start my own benefit now and for the next two and a half years, until I will be divorced for the full 2 years, and then . . . Read More

Category: Filing Strategies
Posted: Nov 10 2017 - 11:01am

What Should I Do?

I am 62 and have been self employed in the IT Forensics for 30+ years. Had a bad motorcycle accident in April 2016 that hasn't settled, don't know when. I have lived since on my savings and some work I can do with my mind and part physical but I will never be able to do what I did before. I am not collecting SS yet and I was denied Disability citing I didn't have enough self employment credits? Ok so now the money is all gone I am barely gonna make November and have no clue what to do? I did apply for some electronics jobs and was hired by Walmart. (Awaiting background check . . . Read More

Category: Filing Options
Posted: Nov 10 2017 - 10:46am

Am I Allowed To Collect Both RRA And SSA Benefits?

At my full retirement age of 66, I applied for RRA benefits and was awarded $2170 mo. In 2017, at age 70 I contacted RRB and was told to apply for SSA benefits and was was awarded $2883 mo. I was working for the railroad in 1965 and got my draft notice in Sept or Oct. I resigned from the Santa Fe to wait for my enlistment date. I served for 3 years and about 5 mos and was discharged on May 19, 1969 on a Friday and went to work for the Southern Pacific the following Monday. I enrolled into college and when my GI bill kicked in, I resigned from the SP. Upon graduation, I returned . . . Read More

Category: Railroad Retirement & Social Security
Posted: Nov 10 2017 - 10:25am

Can I Claim The Retirement Benefits My Husband Would Have Been Due Prior To His Death?

my husband filed for disability benefits but not sure if he filed for retirement benefits he was 62 and filed in august of this year. he was approved for his disability benefit quickly due to his dx being on the list of compassionate approval but passed away during his 5 months waiting period. Is he entitled to his retirement benefit for being 62 and would I as spouse get that benefit in full for the 4 months that he was waiting to hear on the disability claim being approved. Someone told him not to file for his normal retirement but apply for the disability instead as it would . . . Read More

Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Nov 10 2017 - 10:06am

Can My Wife Start Drawing Her Own Benefits At Age 62 And Still Get A Full Spousal Benefit Later?

In November 2018 at age 62 my wife (10/6/56) is considering filing for her SS benefit, which will be about $838 (1300$ FRB at 66.4mo) Her benefit at 62 will be substantially less than half of my full retirement benefit. I will be 65 and 11 mo. (12/25/52) in Nov 2018. In January 2021,6 6one month after i turn age 68 , I will file for SS benefits and my wife will be 64 & 3 mo. In Jan 2021 can my wife file for spousal benefits and effectively receive 1/2 of what my FRB would have been at age 66?

Hi,

No. In the scenario you present, your wife would . . . Read More

Category: Filing Options
Posted: Nov 9 2017 - 12:37pm

How Would Drawing SSDI Affect My Future Benefits?

Dear Larry: I'm 62, have worked my entire life, expected to wait till 70 to retire. Had accident 6 months ago, totally disabled at moment but doing better month by month and expect to return to some kind of part time employment in next 6-9 months when finished treatment. LTD insurer through employer insisting I apply for SSDI now to reduce their monthly obligation. If SSDI is approved, how will it affect the amount of my retirement benefit at 66 or 70? Also, can I accept SSDI for only 12-18 months then stop it when I return to work? If so, how will it affect my benefit at 66 or . . . Read More

Category: Disability Benefits
Posted: Nov 9 2017 - 12:26pm

Can I File For My Benefits At Age 62 And Switch To Unreduced Spousal Benefits At FRA?

My social security benefits at age 62 is the reduced amount of $1002mo, and at my full retirement age of 66.6 is the amount of $1454mo. My husband's FRA of 66.4 is the amount of $2899mo. He plans to start then.

If I start my benefits at age 62, with reduced $1002mo, can I later switch to 50% of his, $1449.50mo? I know they compare which benefit is higher, but do they compare that 50%($1449.50mo) of his FRA, with my early reduced benefit of $1002 or with my FRA of $1454?

Hi,

No. Once you file for benefits on your own record, those benefits . . . Read More

Category: Filing Options
Posted: Nov 9 2017 - 12:14pm

Can A Person Draw Widower's Benefits At Age 60 If He's Still Working?

1) If a person turns 60 on 1/28/18 & is currently a widow- Can he still receive widower benefits even if he is still working or does he have to be retired?
2) A woman who was married more than 10 yrs, is now divorced and wants to retire at 67. Can she receive divorced benefits even if her ex-spouse keeps working until 70 or does she have to wait until he starts collecting to receive benefits?

Hi,

Question 1 can't be answered yes or no. If a person qualifies for widow(er)'s benefits prior to full retirement age, their benefits are subject . . . Read More

Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Nov 9 2017 - 12:05pm

Do You Have Any Advice For Me?

I am 74 and a Vietnam Era Vet on Social Security ( originally ssDi..).. I receive about $ 1450 per month...
I am divorced and in need of extra money..

Hi,

I'm sorry, but I probably can't offer much help. If you haven't already done so, you may want to check with Social Security to see if you could be eligible for higher benefits on a former spouse's record, and check with VA to see if you qualify for any benefits from them. You could also check with the Department of Social Services in your area to see if you might qualify for any other types . . . Read More

Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Nov 9 2017 - 11:59am

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