Is there ANY exception to the 9 month rule?
Hi,
I assume that you are referring to the duration of marriage requirement to qualify for widow's benefits. If that's the case, the answer is yes. In fact there are several exceptions, the most common of which is if the worker's death was accidental. For more exceptions, refer to these sections of the Social Security operations manual: https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0300207001 & . . . Read More
When I was 9 years old, my father died. My mother remarried a year later, and I assumed my stepfather's last name. I don't know if my parents changed my name legally, but I have exclusively used that last name since then. All of my employment years and withholding payment years have been with my step-father's last name. Will my name change as a 10 year old have any effect when I apply for SS retirement benefits this year?
Hi,
It shouldn't. Your Social Security earnings are posted based on your Social Security number, not your name. You may need to . . . Read More
I will be 63 & 3 months in April 2018 and my husband will be FRA of 66 then. Our plan is for me to apply for SS benefit and my husband to apply for spousal benefit until he turns 70, at which point he will file for his own benefit. We've been reading about the grandfather rules and are confused if this strategy of ours will be acceptable to the SS office. Specifically, we know he is grandfathered in, but do I also have to have been 62 before April 2016 to execute this plan? Thanks very much!
Hi,
No, you don't need to have been born before January . . . Read More
I work full-time and have been receiving my widow's benefit for a number of years at reduced amount. I will be 65 in September. First question: May I retire in September and receive my deceased husband's Social Security benefit but keep working without the earnings test reducing my benefit amount? Second question: Can I then switch to my own Social Security benefit amount (which will be higher) when I retire from my job at 66-1/2?
Hi,
The earnings test (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/ . . . Read More
I started drawing at 65. My husband just passed away at 80 years old so I'm switching to his so. If I want to work part time is there a income limit? I'm 68.
Hi,
I'm sorry for your loss.
There is no limit on earnings once you reach full retirement age, so you can receive your Social Security benefits no matter how much you earn.
Best, Jerry
Hi Larry, I read “Get What’s Yours” and am receiving spousal benefits when I turned 66 this year. My husband is 71 and has been receiving his s.s. when he turned 70. My past s.s. statements indicate that my s.s. benefit should be higher than my husband's, so I'd like to let that grow and claim my own benefit when I turn 70. But when I logged on to the s.s website just now, instead of showing my estimated benefits at different ages, it just says "If you are getting benefits as the spouse or the widow or widower of someone else, we must look at both records to determine how much . . . Read More
Hello Larry,
This is a question for a freind. She is receiving SSDI. She is low income and the state pays a portion of her didability benefits. She recently had to do a renewal on her benefits by phone. The last time she did a renewal she owned an old mobile home in a trailer park where she paid space rent. They asked if she still lived there. She told them no she was living in an apartment with her daughter. They wanted to to know what happened to the mobile home. She told them it was falling apart and she couldn't maintain or fix it so she gave it to her daughter. Her . . . Read More
im applying for dac benefits
. . . Read More
if approved
im told since my dad never listed me on his retirements application as a disabled child. because of this,
i cant collect back pay & theres no way to appeal unless theres an error on the ssa behalf. the ssa is looking on my behalf at my initial ssi disability application i didnt fill out
to see if somewhere something is listed
that would allow this. im not sure exactly what they are looking for but it doesnt sound good
and 46k will be lost. Unless ask larry knows of a way. --peter
I am part of a class action lawsuit and receive Social Security disability. I have Stage IV cancer and unable to work. My yearly income from disability is approx $18,000. If I receive a settlement do I need to report and will this affect my disability payments? Thank you.
Hi,
Assuming that you are receiving Social Security disability benefits and not SSI (Supplemental Security Income), income from a lawsuit shouldn't affect your benefits. However, if the proceeds of the lawsuit are in any way related to your past work, you would want to make a report . . . Read More
My husband passed away in 2012. At that time our kids were 3,9, 13. My oldest child turns 18 this month. Each child used to receive $1,568 in benefits but now two younger children are suppose get $2,020 each. I am trying to understand why the whole amount ($1,568*3 which I assume our family maximum benefits) did not get redistributed over the remaining children after my oldest turned 18. What will happen when my second child turns 18?
Thanks
Anna
Hi Anna,
I'm sorry for your loss.
Surviving children are eligible for up to 75% of . . . Read More
Results will differ based on your specific case and filing strategy.