Paid SS for 40 years. Working now for a school system that does not hold SS BUT REQUIRES 8% pay into teachers retirement that I will never be eligible to receive benefit. Does this reduce my SS retirement benefit when I retire? Do you pay SS voluntarily to not have zero average. Thanks for response

Hi,

As long as you don't receive a pension, or lump sum in lieu of a pension, based on your non-covered work, it won't cause any reduction in your Social Security benefit amount.

I filed and suspended early this year. I am not getting any benefits and pay medicare directly.
I continue to work.
Under my status of file and suspend as I continue to work do my earnings continue to count?

I ask because when I go to ssa.gov and try to see my ss report it says I don't have a report since I am already getting benefits.

I understand that I will be rewarded for waiting till 70 to start my social security benefits and also my wife will be able to benefit when she turns 66.

Receive d checks but application had errors. Have left voicemails. Would it be better to also send a letter to correct errors? That is, to leave paper trail?
Thank you for your columns, they tried lump sum which I refused!! Thank you. Best, mimi

Hi Mimi,

In May of 2015 I turned 66 (my wife was 69 at the time), I did a file and suspend and my wife filed for a spousal benefit. My PIA at that time was $2,438.00. In July of 2016 I received notification from the SSA that my monthly benefit has been changed to $2,568.00 starting Jan 2016. The letter said, “We made this change because you continue to earn credit for working”. They go on to explain that when you apply for benefits, they figured the benefit amount based on your earnings at that time. The truth is I have not worked since I did the file and suspend.

I am a retired Veteran, widowed at 52. I applied for widow's SS benefits at age 60 (and quit working) and will switch to my own benefit at age 70. Prior to receiving widow's benefits I could monitor my own work record/projected benefits online. I have since been shut out from my own record and can only access info on my current benefit. This makes it near impossible to make long-term plans with any accuracy. How do I get access to my own work record /projected benefits again?

Hi,

If I begin collecting Social security at 66 and continue to work full time, i suspect my employer will continue to withhold Social Security from my pay. Does the continue withholding impact my social security at 68? 69? 70? even though I started collecting at 66?

Hi,

Hello, I will be 66 in November of 2017. My wife is only 51. (lucky me). I plan on working full time unitl 68. I do not have much in the way of savings. Just equety in my home. Should I take SS at 66 or wait until 68?

Thanks

Hi,

I HEARD THAT YOU CAN GET SS IN A LUMP SUM IS THIS TRUE OR NOT?

Hi,

If you mean can you get a refund of Social Security taxes paid, or a lump sum payment in lieu of receiving monthly benefits, then no you can't.

Hi Larry:
I am from and live in Honduras, from April 1 2000 to April 30 2009 I worked with Work Permit for a Company in New York. Due to the Company not being able to continue in business for the bad economy I was laid down.
During that period of time I accumulated 40 points of Social Security. After several months being unemployed, also begin to feel sick having no health insurance came back to Honduras where I got really sick.
By October 18, I will turn 62. Am I entitled to any type of benefit from the Social Security?

does it make a difference dollar wise if i collect social security at 62 or 63 . with no income between those years .
Thanks Don

Hi Don,