Ask Larry

Retirement Benefits

What Do I Do As Far As Still Working While Drawing Benefits?

I retired from the military after 20 years of service in 1992. I turn 66 on August 31, 2020 my wife turns 66 on April 22, 2021. I am still working and do not know when I will stop. We both pay for Medicare Part B because it is a requirement for Tri-Care for Life. As I am still working, the company & SS still takes out of my check for SS and Medicare. I wish to enroll for my FRA SS but not sure when I should do it. My wife will apply for the 50% rate at her FRA off my SS due to not having enough credit of her own.

Posted: 
Tuesday, June 2, 2020 - 09:46

Will My Personal SS Benefits Continue To Grow Until Age 70 If I'm Receiving Widow's Benefits?

I am currently 66yo. I retired at 61yo. I started collecting widows benefits at 62yo. Will my personal SS benefits continue to grow until I turn 70yo, and should I go to SSA and see if my personal SS benefits are greater than what I am currently receiving?

Hi,

Yes, your own Social Security retirement benefit rate would continue to grow until you reach age 70 as a result of delayed retirement credits (DRC). The fact that you're drawing survivor benefits has no adverse effect on your own benefit rate.

Posted: 
Monday, June 1, 2020 - 07:45

Will Social Security Include My 2020 Salary In My 35 Years Of Highest Earnings?

I plan on retiring at my FRA in October 2020. I currently am working and will continue to work until October 31, 2020. When I look at my earnings record, it ends in 2019. Will social security include my 2020 salary in the 35-years of highest earnings if I retire in Oct 2020 or should I wait until Jan 2021 to have the 2020 earnings included?
Thank you

Hi,

Posted: 
Saturday, May 30, 2020 - 12:38

Which Month Will I Qualify For My Age 70 Benefit Rate?

This is slightly different from the 2/17/2017 question about when to apply for deferred benefits. In that case the person had not been receiving benefits. I will turn 70 in August but I have been claiming a spousal benefit for several years. I want to cancel the spousal and start my own. My wife will start claiming her full benefit at that point. Assuming I start in August, will I receive credit for August at the new amount (to be paid in September)? Or does the new rate start in September (to be paid in October)?

Posted: 
Saturday, May 30, 2020 - 08:32

Did I Miss Something With Regard To Maximizing Benefits?

Hello,

I reached my FRA in 66 in April, 2020.

Using the SSA’s AnyPIA calculator, I created a PIA which I then confirmed by manually recreating AIME and applying bend points to that AIME in Excel. I am fortunate in that my 35 highest years’ earnings all either exceeded maximum taxable earnings for that year or were indexed (for years before my 60th birthday) into a top 35 year.

Posted: 
Tuesday, May 26, 2020 - 10:18

Will Retiring At 59 1/2 Affect My Social Security In A Negative Way?

Mr. Larry;
I plan to retire from my job at 30 years 8 months service, I’ll only be 59 1/2 then. And claim social security at age 62. Will the two and a half years effect my Social security in a negative way from not working?

Hi,

Retiring early will probably have an adverse effect on your Social Security retirement benefit rate, and starting to draw your benefits at age 62 definitely will.

Posted: 
Tuesday, May 26, 2020 - 08:45

If I Get My Social Security At Age 68 And Continue Working Will My Social Security Payout Increase?

This year I will be 65 years old. I am planning to continue to work. My wife has never worked. She is not in great health.
If I get my Social Security at 68 years and continue to work will my Social Security payout increase? My mutual fund's value around $500K by 72 years at 6% do you for an average can live comfortably? Thank you.

Hi,

Posted: 
Tuesday, May 19, 2020 - 10:57
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