Filing For Benefits

Dear Larry,
I filed for SS at a local office when turned 65, but was denied as the clerk was unaware that my 20+ years of work in Canada can be added to my 6 US credits. I filed an appeal online, but was ignored even though I got a confirmation that it was received. Then I sent another appeal with all the paperwork to a PO Box in Maryland. Once again, no reply. It has been 3 years since I was supposed to get my SS. How can I get them to reply and process my payments? The phone contact is beyond dysfunctional.
Thank you

Hi,

Hi,

Husband is 72 and never applied for ssi. Been self employed entire life. Wife is 65 and housewife for 40 years. 1.)Is applying for ssi a relatively easy task for both husband and wife? 2.)If husband has only recently filed tax returns (or had IRS assessments made) How does the husband make sure he is given credit for the recent returns and assessments?

Hi,

Larry,
I was at the Social Security office today, offering paper work for my wife'=
s application. As I was there, I wanted to know if I had to wait until I turned 66 to file an restricted application, I turn 66 in March 2019, the young lady told me that I didn't need to wait since I was filling against my wifes earnings, Everything I have read indicated I would have to waituntil I turned 66 to file my restricted application, Which is correct??
Thanks for your help
Ken

Hi Ken,

Good morning, and thank you in advance for your help with this. Your book, software and website have been our guiding lights this past year of planning and deciding, thank you very much, our strategy is determined, and we are ready to implement. Fortunately, we both have substantial earnings, I am currently 63.8 years and will begin collecting my benefits first, and then my husband will file and restrict his application to collect spousal benefits beginning next June when he reaches age 66.

I just completed the online application process and have placed it in hold status. One question I don't understand - why do they need the birth last names of my current and former spouse? These are not the names on their SS records. I'm concerned this could cause a mismatch and produce a delay later when my spouse files a restricted application for spousal benefits. My spouse did not change her name when we married and continues to use her last name from a previous marriage. The name I used in the application for spouse information does not match mine or her current last name.

My husband was receiving Social Security disability benefits upon his death at age 59 in 2013. I am age 62 and want to file for my widow’s benefit to be effective January 2019. As the higher wage earner I want to wait until age 70 to take my own retirement benefits. When I apply at the Social Security office will Social Security be using Form SSA-10 (Application for Widow’s Insurance Benefits) or Form SSA-1-BK (Application for Retirement Insurance Benefits)? Or something else? I want to complete the appropriate application form in advance so I am better prepared.

I will be 66 years old in January, 2019. I would like to file for Spousal Social Security benefits, collecting one half of my husband's benefit and waiting until I am 70 years old to collect on my own earnings record. I plan to file online, and following your recommendation to specify in the "remarks" section to "exclude retirement benefits on my own record from the scope of this application." My question is: Is there an equivalent form to SSA-2-BK when filing online? I only see the one application form. Please advise.

Thank you,
Doris

Hi Larry-
I bought your terrific book in 2016 and it got me through step one .....and now I need to take step two. I hope you can help me make it to the finish line.

I turn 70 on December 28th of this year (2018). When I apply for my S.S. benefits (at age 70) what entitlement month do I put on my application--December, 2018 OR January, 2019? I want to be sure that my benefits will be based on age 70 and that I will not receive any retroactive payments that would (in effect) reduce my permanent benefit amount. Thanks.

Hi,