Ask Larry: Questions and Answers

Displaying 7091 - 7100 of 10063 questions.

How Can I Make Sure That My Ex Is Not Trying To Mess With The Government?

Hello, how can I make sure my ex is not trying to mess with the government claiming my 3 children and myself with the attempts to get disability so he doesn't have to work? We haven't lived there for years and he asked me to make believe that I was still living there in which of course I said most definitely NOT

Hi,

Your ex could only get his own benefits if he qualifies for Social Security disability. However, there could also be additional benefits payable to his minor or disabled children in that event, so you may want to check with Social . . . Read More

Category: Child Benefits
Posted: Nov 6 2017 - 1:04pm

Can I Switch From Drawing On My First Husband's Record To My Second Husband's Record?

I am going to be 70 yrs. old in mid-Dec. of 2017 & have been collecting divorced widow’s benefits on my 1st husband since Jan. of 2008. (I filed in Nov. 2007 & turned 60 in Dec.) After this divorce, I married a 2nd husband who died at 44 yrs. old in 1988 while we were married. Soc. Sec. stated I could collect benefits from either one but collecting from my 1st husband would provide a small VA benefit also. The way it was verbally stated & written led me to believe this was included in the widow’s benefit check. [Written - This may also be considered an application . . . Read More

Category: Widow's Benefits
Posted: Nov 6 2017 - 12:50pm

What Are The Rules For Handling Benefits Received On Behalf A Child?

I am currently helping a family friend who's husband was a military pilot that died last year in a crash. She is a young mother with 4 children in the house ranging from 4 years old to 12 years old. We have questions about keeping track of the use of the survivor benefit. I'm told that SSA wants to ensure the money is being used for the children and that the way they do that can be onerous. My question has 3 parts:

1. Where can I see a copy of the current Social Security Representative Payee report? I understand that this is a report that needs to be filled out every 12 . . . Read More

Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Nov 5 2017 - 10:01am

Do I Qualify For Benefits On My Ex's Record?

Larry,
I was married to my ex husband for 9 years and 8 months. He remarried (twice), one wife died, the other is living. He died recently, do I qualify for his benefits?

Hi,

If your divorce was final before you had been married for 10 years, you couldn't qualify for survivor benefits on your ex's record unless you have an eligible child of his in your care.

Best, Jerry

Category: Divorced Widow(er) Benefits
Posted: Nov 5 2017 - 9:54am

How Do I Figure Out If I Should File On My Own Record?

I'm 62, began receiving widow's benefits at 61, $2017/mo., based on my deceased husband's income (higher than mine). How do I figure out if it would be more beneficial to me to continue to receive widow's benefits until age 70, or file for SS based on my deceased husband's income?

Hi,

If you are receiving widow's benefits then you must already be drawing on your husband's account, so I'm not entirely sure of what you're asking.

If your own benefit rate would be higher than your widow's rate, it would probably be best for you to wait until age . . . Read More

Category: Filing Options
Posted: Nov 5 2017 - 9:43am

What Are My Wife's Options?

Hello, I am 69 , my wife is 64. I have been drawing ss disability benefits since I was 62. My wife has not yet applied for her benefiting. She didn't work outside the home much during our 45 years of marriage. Her own ss benefit is $150 or so per month. The local ss office lady told us that when she applies for ss benefits at age 66, she would get 75% of my benefits. I asked ,what about her own benefits and she said , since I was the higher earner they would have to use my earnings to calculate what she gets I guess the $150 gets tossed out the window. Is this correct ?
. . . Read More

Category: Spousal Benefits
Posted: Nov 5 2017 - 8:46am

What Do I Need To Do?

My question is confusing but I’ll try to explain. My dad passed away recently. I called social Security to let them know and to find out what I needed to do but the never asked for death certificate she just stated that dad‘s benefits for Friday would be returned also my dad has automatic stuff coming out of the bank I don’t know what to do exactly because if I leave it in there then all of his automatic stuff that he had will come out I don’t know what all he has to call them and tell them that he’s no longer here with us but then if I take The money out and close the account . . . Read More

Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Nov 5 2017 - 8:36am

Would My Plan Maximize Our Benefits?

Confused with the new law concerning 'file and suspend'.
Have disabled child; disabled before age 16 (from birth).
My DOB: 6/27/1955
Wife's DOB: 6/20/1957

I will be at FRA in Aug 2021.
CAN I --
file for retirement benefits in April 2021, at FRA
file for child in care benefit in April 2021
THEN suspend my retirement benefits August 2021
have my wife file for child in care spouse's benefit in April 2021

Reinstate my benefits in June 2025 when I turn 70

have my wife file for retirement benefits in June . . . Read More

Category: Filing Strategies
Posted: Nov 2 2017 - 12:21pm

How Can I Find Out If My Disabled Child Is Drawing Benefits On My Social Security Record?

How can I find out whether and how much my disabled child who lives with my ex wife is drawing on my ss earning record?

Hi,

One way would be to ask Social Security. They are required to give you the names, but not addresses or other information, of anyone drawing benefits on your record.

Best, Jerry

Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Nov 2 2017 - 10:08am

Would My Cousin's Disability Benefits Be Affected By The Sale Of His Home?

A cousin, on SSDisability, owns his house. If he sells that house does it affect his Disability payments?

Hi,

No, assuming that your cousin receives Social Security disability benefits (SSDI). However, if he receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI), then those payments could potentially be terminated as a result of selling a home.

Best, Jerry

Category: Supplemental Security Income
Posted: Nov 2 2017 - 10:02am
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