Ask Larry: Questions and Answers

Displaying 7881 - 7890 of 10063 questions.

If A Child Collects Benefits On A Parent's Record, Is The Parent's Benefit Amount Reduced?

When a child collects SSDI on a parents earning record when the parent retires, is the parents SS amount reduced?

Hi,

No. Child's benefits and spousal benefits are auxiliary benefits, and are paid in addition to the worker's benefit.

Best, Jerry

Category: Child Benefits
Posted: Jun 8 2017 - 7:46am

How Can We Get My Mother's SSI Payments Reinstated?

Hello Sir,

My mom was approved for SSI income and had been receiving it for over 2 years. My father became Ill in Mexico and she had tostay over with him for quite some time(1 yr on and off). Social Security found out anout it and have since put a stop payment on my mothers benefits. She is currently living with me here in Los Angeles as we hired a care taker for my father. What should we do to resume her benifits? Thanks for the help!

Hi,

When you say that your mother was approved for SSI, I assume you mean Supplemental Security Income ( . . . Read More

Category: Supplemental Security Income
Posted: Jun 8 2017 - 7:22am

Am I Entitled To Any Widow's Benefits?

Hello Larry,
I am 61 years old and still working and earning less than 24K annually. My husband of 20+ years passed away 10 years ago at the age of 55, and I have not remarried. He was not drawing any benefits at the time as he was still working. Am I entitled to any widows benefits? Have I missed out on any benefits due me by waiting so long?

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.

I can't tell you whether or not you've missed out on any benefits without knowing your potential benefit rate. In any case, your best option is likely one of the . . . Read More

Category: Widow's Benefits
Posted: Jun 7 2017 - 4:42pm

Can My Reduced Widow's Benefit Ever Be Changed To The Full Amount?

I recieve ss disability. My spouse passed away & I started receiving ss for widows at age 60. I did not know that I would recieve a reduced amount. Can this ever be changed to full amount ?

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.

Yes, if you were already receiving Social Security disability benefits on your own record when you became entitled to widow's benefits, your widow's benefits will become unreduced when you reach full retirement age (FRA). This regulation is described in the following section of Social Security's operations manual, . . . Read More

Category: Widow's Benefits
Posted: Jun 7 2017 - 4:33pm

Should Benefits Due To My Deceased Brother Be Paid To His Next Of Kin?

My intellectually disabled brother passed away about 8 weeks ago unexpectedly at the age of 52. About a year ago, he applied for SS disa bility benefits. Shortly before his death, he was approved and the funds (calculated from his date of filing) were deposited into his checking account. Shortly after his death, this deposit was removed from his account. There were no notifications sent or explanations made. Since these funds were due to him for the time that he was alive, wouldn't my parents (his next of kin) be entitled to receive this? Thanks for your help. It's been a very . . . Read More

Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Jun 7 2017 - 4:17pm

How Much Will I Receive If My Husband Dies Before Me?

My husband was born in 1952, he became disabled and began collecting SSDI in 2011 in the amount of $2000.00 a month. He turned 65 in April of 2017 and also began collecting his pension. I turned 60 this year (born in November of 1956) and have been working since I was 16. I do not reach full retirement age until I turn 66 and 4 mths. and my full benefits would be comparable to his. However, I would like to retire at 62 but I will need the full amount of one of our retirements if he passes away before me. Is that possible in any scenario? Seems if I take anything, either a . . . Read More

Category: Widow's Benefits
Posted: Jun 7 2017 - 3:58pm

Will I Still Be Able To Collect Divorced Spousal Benefits If I Remarry?

I am 49 yrs old, was married for 20 yrs. I am engaged to be married but have been being told, especially by men that if I remarry at all I cannot collect against my ex husbands benefits, He makes a lot more money than my fiance or I, and I see/realize that I have to be single by the time I am 62 in order to claim against his. The wording I keep finding is very confusing. My question is, can I remarry and will it make it so I cannot collect against my ex? Thank you in advance for your consideration.

Hi,

If you remarry, you will not be able to receive . . . Read More

Category: Divorced Spousal Benefits
Posted: Jun 7 2017 - 7:42am

Can My Wife File A Restricted Application For Spousal Benefits If We Are Legally Separated?

My wife and I have been married over 40 years and continue to live together. For asset protection reasons, on the advice of our attorney, we are "legally separated.
My wife is turning age 66 (FRA) and I am 71 collecting SS.

Can we file for restricted application for spousal benefits since we are legally separated?

Hi,

Yes, since your wife was born prior to January 2 1954 (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/deemedfaq.html), she can file a restricted application for . . . Read More

Category: Spousal Benefits
Posted: Jun 7 2017 - 7:32am

Can I File For Retroactive Benefits At Age 65?

Retroactive benefits

I just turned 65. If I am willing to accept my benefits based on age 65, and file to get benefits from 6 months retroactively in 6 months, does it affect the amount I receive, as long as benefits are during my year of age 65? I am wondering if in the end, it benefits me to take benefits retroactively this way,

Hi,

Your full retirement age (FRA) is 66, not 65, and you can't get retroactive benefits if you file for benefits prior to FRA. If you want to claim reduced benefits effective with the month you attain age 65, you . . . Read More

Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: Jun 7 2017 - 7:18am

What Do I Need To Do If I've Already Filed For And Suspended My Benefits?

Larry - I did a file and suspend at age 66 (about two years ago) so my fife could file for a spousal benefit. I plan to continue to delay filing for me until I turn 70 (19 May 201). I have Two questions. (1) When should I file my application, and (2) what month will I receive my first check? Thank You in advance. Jerry

Hi Jerry,

You won't need to file another application. You've already applied for your retirement benefits. They are just being held in suspense until you turn age 70, or until you request reinstatement of payments. If you don't . . . Read More

Category: Suspending Retirement Benefits
Posted: Jun 7 2017 - 6:58am
MaxiFi software running on a laptop
Get What's Yours!
Discover tens of thousands in extra retirement dollars with Maximize My Social Security software!
  • Find your maximized strategy
  • Unlimited what-ifs
  • Step-by-Step filing instructions
  • Our software's lifetime-benefit increase for an illustrative couple earning $65K each and planning to take retirement benefits at 62.

    Results will differ based on your specific case and filing strategy.

Getting Started is Easy
Web-based software. Works on ALL browsers. No download.