Both my wife and I are over 65 and have been receiving SS benefits for several years. We have both just received letters from SSA notifying us that both of our benefits are to be reduced by almost identical amounts of $200 per month.
My wife worked (outside the home) for a shorter period than I did, contributed less than I did and receives less than I do. Why does SSA decide after several years to cut our benefits, and how does it come up with almost identical cuts?

Hi,

I am currently 67 years old, I receive $1543.00 a month for social security benefits....My question is can the government reduce or stop my benefits at anytime. The way the government is talking about stopping social security in the near future...are they talking about new benefactors or can they stop my benefits.....I am very concerned being that it is my only income,except for a small pension of $54.04 a month....how am I supposed to pay rent...etc to live.. We have not had a raise for a while now....I am extremely concerned.....

Hi,

I am a service member and I am stationed overseas and my spouse remained stateside. While being out here i found out he was cheatimg and have proof. Now I am trying to divorce my spouse. However, he is not speaking to me and has me blocked everywhere and changed his phone number. In order for me to start my divorce I need his social security number which he won't give up because he doesn't want to get divorced. Is there another route I can take?

Hi,

Thank you for your service.

Hi - my wife of two years is a green card holder. She helps watch over my 3 kids below 18 yo. I plan to file for my retirement benefit next month when I turn 65.

Can my wife receive spousal benefit for helping care for my kids even if she is not a US citizen? Someone told me that she had to be a US citizen, is that right?

By the way, I bought your $40 individual software and I have running different options with it.

Hi,

my brother died october 3 2017 his check was direct deposit into my account as usual as payee. ssa letter says to return october benefit . should i contact bank or how do i do it?

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.

Since you were payee for your brother, I'm not sure of the correct answer. I would check with the bank first to see if they can return the check to the U.S. Treasury. If not, you'll likely have to return the funds directly to Social Security.

Son, disabled from birth and former SSI recipient, now age 34, filed for social security benefits on father's retirement record as son has never worked. Father elected for 6 months retroactive payment for both of them when he filed this year. Both have been receiving monthly payments, but only father has gotten the retroactive payment. My questions are: 1. How long will it take (usually) for son to get the retroactive payment? (SSI already received for those months will be subtracted from the total he gets.) 2. Will son's monthly payments be affected by COLA? 3.

Hi Larry,
My mom receives SSI benefits as her sole source of income. She is in her late 60's and disabled. She also receives SNAP benefits for her grocery needs and Medicaid/Medicare for healthcare. Her husband abandoned her almost 10 years ago but never granter her a divorce. He works full time and is expected to retire in the next couple of years. I would like to get the divorce process going for her but need to know if alimony would in any way affect her SSI benefits and/or other benefits. Will getting the divorce help or hurt?
Thank you for your advice.

My friend is collecting SSI. She just started working part-time as a caregiver and is paying FICA and Medicare again. When did this practice start and when will she get benefits from these contributions?

Hi,

SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is a needs based benefit. If that is what your friend receives then her current work and earning would not increase her SSI payments, but would instead likely cause her payments to be reduced or stopped altogether.

A work coworker is collecting signatures under her own benifits and would be able to collect more under her husbands benifits would she be able to switch to his

Hi,

I don't know what you're referring to by 'collecting signatures', but if your co-worker is drawing retirement benefits on her own record she couldn't switch to any other type of benefit. However, she could potentially become entitled to additional benefits (e.g. spouse's, widow's) on the record of a spouse or ex-spouse depending on their relative benefit rates.

Best, Jerry

I just returned to work. Drawing early retirement while waiting for decision on disability. Should I stop benefits or wait to see if I able to continue working?

Hi,

Whether or not your earnings would make you ineligible for disability benefits depends on how soon you returned to work and how much you are earning. You should probably just notify Social Security of your work and earnings,and let them determine what effect it has on your eligibility. That way, your claim could potentially be reopened if you are unable to continue working.