Ask Larry

Survivor Benefits

Can I Get Dependent Benefits From The Man I Lived With For 15 Years?

I am a 59 yr old mother and grandmother. I worked all my life raising 3 kids alone. I met someone at the same time my work went out of business. He worked on a dredge boat and we happily traveled around Alabama mostly (some Florida) with his job. We lived like we were married from 2004 till he died in 2019. I couldn't work because we moved every month or week with his job. I was totally dependent on him. He claimed me on his taxes and his perdium went in a separate account which I used to take care of home(camper we traveled in) He died from lung cancer without much notice.

Posted: 
Friday, December 31, 2021 - 15:27

Will Applying For A Domestic Relationship Disqualify Me From Collecting My Deceased Ex-Spouse's Social Security?

Hi Larry, I’m thinking of applying for a domestic relationship with my boyfriend but I want to make sure doing so I it won’t disqualify me from collecting my ex deceased spouse’s social security. I’m 57
Thank you

Hi. Being in a non-marital relationship such as a domestic partnership won't prohibit you from qualifying for survivor benefits on the account of a former spouse.

Best, Jerry

Posted: 
Monday, December 27, 2021 - 14:58

Should I Apply For Survivor Benefits Or Would It Be A Waste Of Time?

Me and my partner wasn’t married we lived together for 30 yrs had a child together. I had my name changed to his last name and still go by it. He was drawing his Social Security full amount due to a accident in 2005 he passed away in 2016. Should I apply for benefits or is a waste of time I’ve been told different things

Posted: 
Tuesday, December 7, 2021 - 07:25

Could You Confirm That A Person Can Stay On CIC Benefits Until Their Full Retirement Age?

Could you please confirm the following: If an individual is between age 60 and FRA and they are receiving Child in Care Benefits and their spouse passes away, it appears that the individual can stay on CIC benefits until their full retirement age and at that time the benefits would automatically convert to Widow's Benefits at their FRA meaning they would receive a Widow's Benefit equal to whatever the deceased spouse was receiving at the time of their death including any Delayed Retirement Credits?

Posted: 
Monday, November 15, 2021 - 14:43

If My Husband Dies Before We've Been Married For Ten Years Do I Receive His Benefits Or Does His Former Wife?

I divorced in 2014, separated in 2012. We were married for 14 years prior to the separation.

I would like to remarry. My boyfriend was also previously married for over 14 years. He is currently 62, working, not collecting social security. I am 51 working and not collecting social security.

If we marry and he dies before us being married for at least 10 years, do I received benefits or does his former wife?

Posted: 
Friday, November 12, 2021 - 10:23

If You're Legally Separated From Your Spouse When They Die Are You Still Allowed To Collect Survivor Benefits?

If you are legally separated from your spouse for more than 20 years due to domestic violence are you allowed to collect survivors benefits....when they die??

Hi. Yes. A legal separation wouldn't have any adverse effect on a person's eligibility for widow(er) benefits, provided that the marriage is still legally in effect at the time one of the members of the couple die. However, a legally separated spouse wouldn't qualify for the one time death benefit of $255 that's paid to spouse's who were living together with the deceased.

Best, Jerry

Posted: 
Friday, November 12, 2021 - 10:06

If I Take Child In Care Benefits Will That Lock Me In To Lower Survivor Benefit Rate?

My plan all along for collecting SS is this. My husband waited until age 70 to start collect SS Retirement Benefits to take advantage of delayed retirement credits. I’m 9 years younger than my husband and I plan on filing for my Retirement Benefits at my full retirement age of 67. Due to deemed filing, at age 67 I would receive a small amount of retirement benefits based on my work record and a much larger amount of spousal benefits based on my husband’s work record understanding the entire amount would not exceed 50% of what he would have received at his FRA.

Posted: 
Wednesday, November 10, 2021 - 16:03
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