Will My Social Security Payment Affect My Medicaid Status?
I am 62 and in 2013whike I was self employed I had a brain hemorrage , which left me with some permanent deficits. I was denied disability benefits because I had been self employed since 2003 and did not put myself on the payroll because it seemed that I could not afford to pay myself. So, for the last 10 yearsI had not paid into S/S I am now getting Medicaid and I was going to apply for my S/Sretirement but I'm afraid that the income from a retirement check will negate my Medicaid eligibility. I have researched this and have not found an answer. Can you please tell me if aS/S . . . Read More
Category: Medicaid
Posted: May 10 2017 - 7:32am
Can Your Software Handle My Situation?
Larry,
My spouse and I both turn 62 next year. I’m several months older and my PIA is $2,500+ and my spouse’s PIA is $400+. We have an unmarried disabled adult child (DAC) whom is currently receiving both SSI and SSA monthly payments.
It appears as though my spouse and DAC would each qualify for up to half of my PIA, only after I file for my retirement benefits. Also, while I’m still living it looks as though the most they could ever receive would be 50% of my PIA regardless of what age I choose to retire.
For my spouse I found an FAQ answer on the SSA . . . Read More
Category: Filing Strategies
Posted: May 9 2017 - 8:14am
How Would Work Affect My Benefit Rate?
I'm 70 years old and receiving social security but find I need additional money. I plan to work part time and my earnings will be a lot lower then my last few years of work. I only have 32 years of works so I guess any add'l years will be counted as part of the 35 years to average. Will my benefits be reduced.
Hi,
You couldn't reduce your benefit rate by working. Social Security retirement benefits are based on an average of a person's highest 35 years of wage-adjusted earnings (https://www.ssa.gov/ . . . Read More
Category: Retirement Benefits
Posted: May 9 2017 - 8:06am
What Happens To My Social Security When I Die?
hello first I would like to know if this is free my question is what happens to my s.s.b. when I die my next question is if I work full time after getting ssb. does it change the amount or do we pay taxes on ssb thank you very much
Hi,
Asking questions is free, but there is a charge to use the maximization software on this site. Refer to the 'Purchase' page for pricing.
Social Security benefits stop when you die, but eligible family members could potentially receive survivor benefits after that ( . . . Read More
Category: Miscellaneous
Posted: May 9 2017 - 7:52am
Can I File For Benefits On My Deceased Ex-Spouse's Record, Then Switch To My Own Record Later?
I am almost 62 (Nov 2017). Can I take SS under my deceased ex husband who I was married to for 15 yrs? I believe they would be reduced, correct? Also, can I then take my full benefit at 67 or so giving up my ex's? thanks
Hi,
Potentially, yes. If you meet the eligibility requirements for both retirement benefits on your own record and surviving divorced wife's benefits, your best strategy would likely be one of the following:
1) File for reduced surviving divorced spousal benefits now or as soon as your earnings will permit payment of benefits, . . . Read More
Category: Filing Strategies
Posted: May 9 2017 - 7:41am
Will The Earnings Test Affect My Benefits?
My wife's birthdate is April 1951. she has just applied for her social security as she has reached FRA. My birthdate is June 1951. Upon reaching FRA in June I was planning to file and suspend my benefit and then apply for my spousal benefit allowing my benefit to grow till 70. When she went into the SSA office, the employee told her that I could do that but my benefit amount would be affected if I was still working full time which I was planning to do. With the changes in the law I understood this would be our best filing strategy but never have seen anything about working . . . Read More
Category: Earnings Test
Posted: May 9 2017 - 7:32am
When Should My Husband Elect To Take Spousal Benefits?
We have had several different scenarios run by different investment firms and I will be collecting at 63.7, birth date 11.4.55, my husband will file restricted at 66, birth date 6.17.53, then file on his record at 70. My questions is when do we file, June 1, 2019 or July 1, 2019. I am concerned because your book states social security personnel do not always give the correct information and their mistake could cost us.
Hi,
If your husband was born June 17 1953, he would want to choose June 2019 as his month of election on his restricted application . . . Read More
Category: Spousal Benefits
Posted: May 9 2017 - 7:26am
Do I Qualify For Full Back Pay?
(cont.) from jerrys reply concerning dac benefit back pay & grounds to reopen a (NH's) valid retirements benefit application
if the root isnt square to begin with
it will have systemic flaws. thus the logic is if the root was not proceeded with properly or with due diligence the best course of action would be lucky to come by from the initial application date.
my angle is
that i was too sick to file for ssi benefits at first since the hospital made the claim on my behalf didnt consult me & that ssa when meeting face to face with me before approving . . . Read More
Category: Disabled Adult Child Benefits
Posted: May 9 2017 - 7:15am
Can I File On My Own Record At Age 66 And Then Switch To Lower Divorced Spousal Benefits In Order To Accrue DRCs?
I will reach FRA (66) in December 2017 and am eligible for divorced spousal benefits as well as my own (which will be higher). Am I able to apply for my own PIA in December then (in about a year) switch to the lower divorced spousal benefit to allow delayed retirement credits on my own benefits to accumulate?
Hi,
No. Once you file for retirement benefits on your own record, that becomes your primary benefit for life. If you subsequently file for another type of benefit (e.g. divorced spouse's, widow's, etc.), you could only receive benefits on the . . . Read More
Category: Filing Strategies
Posted: May 9 2017 - 7:05am
Can My Wife File For Reduced Retirement And Then Switch To My Record At FRA?
My wife and I are both age 62. I would like to keep working until full retirement age (66). We have been married since 1973. Can she start taking her SS at 62 (early) for $574/mo, and then switch to her spousal benefit when I turn 66, as long as I start taking my full retirement benefit? ($2623/mo). Thank you
Hi,
No, your wife couldn't switch to your record. If she starts drawing retirement benefits before full retirement age (FRA), her benefit rate will be reduced and she will be stuck with that reduction for as long as both of you are living.
. . . Read More
Category: Spousal Benefits
Posted: May 9 2017 - 6:51am
