Ask Larry

Retirement Benefits

Thanks For Your Help.

Jerry -

You were 100% correct. Your instructions were followed and went to the SS office on the 17th and got things straightened out. The wrong month of entitlement was put into the online form. Thanks for your help. It was appreciated.

Lee

Posted: 
Wednesday, October 19, 2016 - 10:30

Is It True That Social Security Holds Back A Check?

Dear Mr. Kotlikoff -

Social Security is a government program that every person in this nation is ''forced'' to join as far as this writer understands.

Will turn 70 the end of October, will start SS at this time and have just learned the following: ''So, if a person was born in October, his or her first month of eligiblity is November. Since SSA ''pays individuals a month behind'', the person will receive the November benefit in the month of December''.

Posted: 
Saturday, October 15, 2016 - 10:30

How Does Prison Suspension Affect My Benefit Rate?

i started collecting ss at age 62 , when i went to federal prison my ss stopped , i need to apply for ss now at age 73 will my ss be paid at the 62 age or the age of 73

Hi,

Your benefits will resume at the reduced rate you took at age 62, inclusive of cost of living increases that occurred while you were imprisoned. You don't need to reapply for benefits, by the way. You just need to show Social Security proof of your release, and your benefits will be reinstated effective with the first full month of freedom.

Best, Jerry

Posted: 
Wednesday, September 7, 2016 - 11:00

Can I Get A Record Of My Deceased Mother's Payment History?

Can I get a social security letter of my mom decease statement after 10 year of her death. With the amount of benefits and if she got any retroactive benefits on the time she was receiving the social security benefits. Thanks

Hi,

You can ask Social Security, but I doubt if they'll do that for you. That type of information is not readily available and it would take a significant amount of time to reconstruct a person's full payment history.

Best, Jerry

Posted: 
Wednesday, September 7, 2016 - 10:30

When Should I Take My Retirement Benefit Give My Wife Is Four Years Younger?

Hi Larry,
I have 2 brief issues concerning ss. I will turn 66 early June, 2017. I still work part-time. Just looking for an opinion of taking sometime from Jan-March or waiting it out until beginning of June.
Also , my wife turns 62 shortly 9/26/16. Your thoughts on waiting until 1/2017. She does not work (has all credits).
Thanks, Brian

Posted: 
Tuesday, September 6, 2016 - 08:30

Will My Wife's Retirement Benefit Be Lower If She Stops Working?

Hi Larry,

My wife retired in 2015. She is 63 years old and her birthday is Feb 23,1953. SSN web site says that if she waits until 66 years old her monthly payment would be about $1,320.00. My question is if she waits until 66 to collect (and doesn't work anymore) would her estimated amount of $1,320.00 decrease because of her not working for the last few years before turning 66. Thank you. So you know I'm 64 and intend to collect when I turn 70.

Thank you, Chuck

Dear Chuck,

Posted: 
Sunday, September 4, 2016 - 00:15
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