Why Can't My Granddaughter Get Benefits On Her Parent's Record?
Thank you for your quick response I just have one question, you said " unless one or both of her parent's are entitled to Social Security benefits on their own record, she can't get child's benefits on their records either". Can I ask why? not on her parents records, were you referring to present time or any time now and in the future?
Hi,
A child cannot get Social Security benefits on their parent's record unless the parent is either deceased or entitled to Social Security retirement or disability benefits. You said that both of your granddaughter's . . . Read More
Category: Child Benefits
Posted: Jan 5 2017 - 6:00am
Can My Disabled Adult Son Get Benefits From His Father's Record?
My 46 year old son began receiving SSDI in 2016. His father who is retired and I are divorced. Can Patrick receive any benefit from his father's retirement?
Hi,
Probably not. Among other requirements, your son would have to have become disabled prior to age 22 in order to potentially qualify for disabled adult child's benefits (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/disability/dqualify10.html).
Best, Jerry
Category: Disabled Adult Child Benefits
Posted: Jan 4 2017 - 5:30pm
Will I Have A Choice Between My Own Benefits And Spousal Benefits At Age 66?
My wife (age 63) took her SS benefits at age 62. I am now 64 (born 1952) and will wait until age 66 to collect full retirement SS benefits. At age 66, do I have the choice of collecting half of my spouse's benefits and suspend mine until age 70? Or, do I not have a choice, I must take all mine.
Hi,
Yes, since you were born prior to January 2 1954, you can still choose to file for spousal benefits only at age 66 and allow your own benefit rate to grow until age 70 (https://www.ssa.gov/ . . . Read More
Category: Filing Strategies
Posted: Jan 4 2017 - 5:30pm
Should I Terminate Part B Of Medicare?
I am a US citizen retired in Greece and I have a monthly payment of $189.00/month for my Medicare Part B.
Should I terminate my Part B option and purchase instead a health plant from a local provider?
Isn't the Basic Medicare plan to cover my expenses in case that I have to fly over for a major medical condition?
thanks
Hi,
I can't really advise you on that. It probably depends on your future travel and residency plans. Medicare does not pay for medical services you receive outside the U.S. except under rare circumstances ( . . . Read More
Category: Medicare
Posted: Jan 4 2017 - 5:15pm
Can My Husband Get Half Of My Benefit When I Turn 70?
I will be 70 on Jan. 12 -- I am working part-time and took early Social Security benefits -- my husband turned 63 on 1/1/17 -- he is still working full time although he is in poor health -- someone told us that when I turn 70 he/we can draw 1/2 of what my Social Security is and he can continue working -- is this info. CORRECT?
Hi,
No, that's not correct at all. If your husband files for spousal benefits before full retirement age, he'll be deemed to have filed for benefits on his own record as well. He would then essentially get the higher of the 2 . . . Read More
Category: Spousal Benefits
Posted: Jan 4 2017 - 5:00pm
Should I File For Widow's Benefits Now?
Hi Larry,
I recently lost my husband. People have been suggesting that I look into seeing if I am entitled to any benefits through Social Security. And although this is all so difficult, I have been trying to figure out if I should file for survivor benefits now or wait. My situation is that I have been on SSDI on my own record for some years. He had retired and began collecting retirement benefits at FRA. I have not reached FRA as of this date but will do so in a little over a year from now. I've read your first book and then talked to someone at Social Security because . . . Read More
Category: Widow's Benefits
Posted: Jan 4 2017 - 7:45am
Can I Take Reduced Social Security Benefits And Later File For Railroad Retirement?
Hi, I spent most of my career contributing to Social Security but for the last 6 1/2 years I have been working for a labor organization that pays into the Railroad pension. I am going to retire this year at age 64. Can I take a reduced Social Security benefit until I turn 66 then apply to Railroad pension and get the unreduced Tier I and II benefits from the Railroad?
Hi,
I'm not an expert on Railroad Retirement, so I can't fully answer your question. You can file for reduced Social Security benefits at age 64, which would continue to be paid at a . . . Read More
Category: Railroad Retirement & Social Security
Posted: Jan 4 2017 - 6:45am
Is My Granddaughter Eligible For Any Benefits?
I have custody of my 4 year old grand daughter. Are there any benefits I can collect to help with her living expenses. She has also just started receiving Child support from her Father, her mom is in prison for a long time. I am not sure if the child support is her income or mine, and re-portable or not. My SSDI and SSI and the CS total only $1103 per month for the two of us. I am 59 years old and not much of a work history to retire on nor do I have a spouse.
Hi,
Since her parents are living, your granddaughter could not qualify for Social Security . . . Read More
Category: Child Benefits
Posted: Jan 4 2017 - 6:15am
Can A Person Receiving Spousal Benefits Get Widow's Benefits If Their Spouse Dies?
I understand totally the grandfathered spousal benefit, but what happens if there's a death on either side? Can the restricted spousal benefit person then file for widow/survivor's benefit if spouse dies before he gets to 70 and let his SS still grow till 70 and then get his full retirement benefit? On the reverse, can the spouse, who filed early so her husband can get file the restricted spousal benefits, who died at 68, maximize on widow's benefits by waiting 2 years to claim survivor's benefits when husband would have reached 70, or does his maximum amount stop at 68 since . . . Read More
Category: Widow(er) Benefits
Posted: Jan 4 2017 - 5:45am
Can I Apply For Widow's Benefits At Age 60, And On My Own Record At Age 70?
I am about to turn 60 on Feb 1st. My husband has been gone sadly 11 years. I was told that I can apply for his social security benefits now that I am turning 60 even though I still work & plan to till 70.
Is that so and if so he served during the Vietnam war - does that have any significance either when applying if this is true.
Hi,
I'm sorry for your loss.
You can apply for widow's benefits at age 60, and then switch to your own record at age 70 if your own benefits are higher at that time. However, the Social Security annual . . . Read More
Category: Widow's Benefits
Posted: Jan 4 2017 - 5:30am