Thank You All for this great information because my Ex husband has passed 5weeks ago and I needed this ❤️ 🙏 And We were Divorced also but we were married for for 26yrs
Divorced survivors benefits - filed for benefits in march of 2022, and was approved with first check in September. Because they took 6 months to process, I was able to get 6 months of back pay - back to the date of the initial request
My mother in law began taking her deceased husband's social security when he died at 67 (they were both 67). She's now 100 years old. I look at SS as old age insurance. I don't want to live to be 100 years old, but it's nice to know there's some money coming in if I do reach that age.
Hi. Thank you for your good work. My sister took her deceased husband’s survivor benefit a few yrs ago at age 60 due to financial hardship. She since returned to work and had the survivors benefit reduced due to earning income over the allowable amount. (She may or may not have a larger benefit of her own at her FRA of 67.) Question: If she suspends the survivors benefit now while continuing to work….Can she start the survivors again at her FRA 67? Will it be higher at that time? Or permanently reduced since she started and suspended it?
I'm an American living in South Africa. That $255 you mentioned would be a bit over 5000 Rand here. The exchange rate is nearly 19 to one..... so it would help pay for much more than flowers! Cheers....
so my survivor benefit as a widow, should it be 100% of his SS (he died in 2021 at age 75, on SS and VA 100% disability pay) or do I only get 82.5%??? I'm very confused - all these videos from you and other SS experts say 100% first and then later in the video they say 82.5%. HELP!!!
Here is a video on Survivor Benefits being limited if your spouse claimed early. This might be what you are talking about: ruclips.net/video/ykHgNDqhgQ4/видео.htmlsi=dRy9mkGL5ohvTAXG
Could you clarify one thing please? As a surviving qualified divorced spouse, if I take his benefits at age 60 (at the reduced 71% amount), will that reduce my benefit if I were to change and take my own benefits at my full retirement age? Thank you in advance
No reduction. Survivor benefits are not considered deemed filing. So your own benefits will continue to grow and you'll obtain them at the older age calculation when you switch. www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/claiming.html
So my husband passed away So he had an x spouse So who gets the social security benefits? It’s confusing from what to do ? Any advice. He was getting a pension through a veteran he was 100% disabled through “Social security” Thank you for the advice ! Wonderful info for some who don’t know.
Sorry to hear you lost your spouse. If you both qualify as spouse, you can technically both collect a Survivor Benefit. You would not be impacting each other in any way.
There are negative loop holes on that $255 death benefit. My husband and I lived in separate houses and they denied me the $255. Even though we were married, we had to live in the same house.
Normawaller’s a grouch. I like the injection of humor for a very depressing subject. What happens if I remarry before choosing either benefit? I’m 63. Wife passed away without taking social security. I plan to take mine (smaller amount) at 65, then wait until 70 to take wife’s. Would I lose that opportunity if I remarry in the interim?
No, you would not lose access to a Survivor Benefit. However, the Survivor Benefit doesn't receive delayed retirement credits. So it will not grow past your full retirement age (besides COLA). You may consider claiming Survivor Benefits now and switching to your own benefit at 70 as your own benefit would continue to grow until age 70. You'll have to do the math or contact us to run a report.
@@Dolphinfinancialgroupfl Hi, I know you probably don't remember me; I promise you I will let you know if I am qualified for my ex-deceased husband's survivor benefits. Well, im back to let you know that I received my first check this month, November 3rd, 2022, and I would like to thank you for your interest in taking out the time to answer my questions. Now, I have another question to ask you. I received $108 from SSI to make up the difference from my SS check. My question. I was told by the person who was taking my application. She said at first I would receive 10,000 retroactive pay for the six months; after that, she said she made a mistake, and I would receive $5,000 because of the $108 I was getting from SSI. They will deduct it. The following week I talked to her to ask her when I should expect it to be sent to me; she seemed a little clueless and said she didn’t know if I would receive anything. I called the social security office and asked them to look into it; they told me the retroactive check is being looked over, and I should hear from them in 30-40 days. Can you answer if I would be entitled to any retroactive payments? I appreciate any help you can provide.
@@foreveryours7464 retroactive benefits are highly dependent on each individual situation and timing. We can't offer any insight. You are following the correct steps in working with the SSA. It sometimes just takes extra time for decisions.
I am a 36 year old mom I wasn't married to my child's father when he died. I will get benefits for my child until she is 18. If I get married will I lose those benefits?
I am age 70 and on my full social security. My wife of 39 years was turning 62 this year however; she just passed away about a month ago. Am I entitled to any of her social security benefit? We reside in Florida. Thanks in advance for any help or information. Jim
Sorry to hear about your loss. It seems you would qualify for Survivor Benefits. However, unless your deceased spouse's record is higher than yours, it won't change your SS situation. You can only claim one benefit at a time - your own or one based on your deceased spouse.
My sister was married to her husband for seven years, then they divorced and each remarried, they both ended up divorced from their second spouses then my sister remarried he first husband, he passed away years later, my sister had to show Social Security all divorce and marriage certificates to social security, who added up the years my sister was married the first and second time to her husband, so that she was married to my deceased brother in law 10 plus combined and she was able to claim survivor benefits instead of the second wife, who did try to claim his benefits as well. 🤪
The way we read the rules, the marriage must last 10 years to qualify for benefits against based on an ex-spouse. The rule seems to be that a marriage must be 10 consecutive years. Perhaps your sister's second time married to her first husband lasted 10+ years? Of course, the SSA makes all final determinations.
I receive my full retirement at 66 because ex spouse had not reach FRA. If he should pass away at FRA can I refile and draw his Social Security? If ex spouse claim Social Security early due to disability, but ex Spouse pass after FRA. Can I switch from my SS to Survival Benefits if his is more?
Hey Dan and Tony... another excellent show.!! Very entertaining, just like the other shows you've made. I just turned 57 in 2023. I'm married more than 35 years. Wife is on disability. What happens if I die before my wife (she's 2 years younger)? Will she get the disability and / or the survisorship social security on my behalf? I'd like to collect my retirement social security at 60 or 62 but continue to work for more years to come. I just want to have more monthly income by collecting SS and working at the same time. Is this a bad strategy?
If you claim SS before your full retirement age and continue to work, you'll be subjected to the earnings limit. ruclips.net/video/S1rwtuFw2xo/видео.html It often makes sense to delay SS rather than claim and work...but each situation is different.
Diogenes: Social Security told me they automatically switch all the disabled onto their own retirement account at 62 and keep the amount at the disability amount through the transfer. She will have a choice of getting 1/2 of whatever amount you get in retirement without reducing your retirement amount. Find out which one of you had the bigger account. Some Social Security agents are really good about presenting your choices. It is very good to spend time checking with more than one Social Security agent to be sure they agree. Let each
This show has brought up a lot of questions for me. I have 3 sons, all three are disabled from birth. My question is, can my children each get survivor benefits from their deceased father? I am 83 years old, they're in their 60s plus age groups. They're all on disability right now. M.
im a survivor spause, my husband died last may 16,2020 when he died hes 87 years old he a retired US Army major, im not getting SS benefit im leaving outside US im not american cetezen im leaving in Philippines, im 61 years old, how can i get SS benefits.
You seem to be subject to the 5 year residency rule. But, your situation is too complex to offer guidance. You need to contact Social Security to get the answers. Here is a tool that may help: www.ssa.gov/international/payments_outsideUS.html
Thank you so much for the video. I am a widower and am 60 years old. Me and my wife were married for 29 years. My wife passed away in 2023 when she was 57and half. She was a full time home maker and never worked. I came to know that she would have got half of what I get in SS as spousal benefit. I am planning to work until my full retirement age and beyond and then only to claim my own SS benefit. Since my wife is no more, and she does not have any SS on her own as she did not work, is there a way I can claim anything until i start drawing my own SS benefit at full retirement age.
You will have to contact SSA and find out if you are entitled to a Survivor Benefit. However, from what you wrote, it seems like you will have to claim your own to get any benefits. If she did not put into the system, then she did not generate a Survivor Benefit.
On divorced survivors benefits. Under FRA. Will the digital dollar impact SS survivors benefits -under FRA- if working seasonal job that is under annual earnings limit but excedes monthly earnings limit?
Gud evening sir I am here in Canada since I cannot afford to pay my apt because my husband passed away in 2022 I received my survivors benefit Am I also entitled to a retirement pay since I stopped working at age 70 ?
If I were to take dual entitlement at 63... am I locked into that payment if something were to happen to my husband? His ss is 2700.00 a month at full retirement age of 67 after Medicare. My retirement at 63 would be a little over 900.
I was married over 10 years. If my ex husband were to die, would the Social Security Administration inform me? My ex left me about 22 years ago, & zero contact after that day. He could be alive or dead, who knows.
If you are already getting benefits based on his record, then you'll get an automatic bump to Survivor Benefits when he dies. But, if you are using your own record, you'll have to contact SS to find out if he died. They probably won't reach out to you. Since you may get SS benefits six months retroactively, you might want to call SS every six months. Somber thought, but it's better to be proactive in this situation.
Jane: Contact Social Security and ask specifically whether they have on their computer records the specific years that the two of you filed joint income tax returns. Ask them to calculate whether you could collect more now by receiving 1/2 of his rate. I believe the channel presenter calls it a Maximization Report. Many people don't know that Social Security already has spousal Social Security number info for joint income tax years. Ask Social Security whether they can link your files in order to notify you when he passes. Computer technology expands services that are not always announced. If you have to call every 6 months, keep asking whether they have the new capacity to inform you without your calling in.
Whatif new wife doesn’t call in ssa death how is ex spouse suppose to collect full retirement benefits that I waited abt convert to higher survivorship
You will need to contact SSA on regular intervals to determine if your ex-spouse has passed away. They will be able to tell you if you qualify for Survivor Benefits or not. This is your best course of action if you do not have any means of keeping track of your ex-spouse's status.
Applied for spousal benefits last year, because I have federal pension , which is more my wife's benefit., I was denied!. My SS is a lot less than wifes! We are both in our 70's and both retired at 62 and she is still living!
My pops passed away 11 or 12 yrs ago im just now finding out i could possibly be getting my dad benefits and i honestly had no idea at all im still shocked tbh i really don't think ill get anything tbh he passed at 57 i was in my early 20s at the time im 36 now
If you was disabled by 22 and he paid half your cost then yes you can get it. I just read that part for a friend. Best wishes. By the way... The SS lie and don't know Thier job you may need an attorney.
The WEP doesn't apply to Survivor Benefits. However, those Survivor Benefits may be subjected to Government Pension Offset (GPO). Here is a video we did on WEP and GPO: ruclips.net/video/JEDUa2Enbu8/видео.html
I was married for 14 years to my first husband and then divorced. I married my second husband and was married for only a year and ahalf before he deceased at 51. I turn 60 soon and was wondering if there is a penalty bc I wasnt married 10 years to my second husband. And since second husband died would I still be eligible to recieve benefits off my first husband instead of second if he were to die. Only asking bc he has parkinsins disease and it is a probability.
Hi Darlene - based on your situation, it appears you may be eligible for Survivor Benefits at 60. There is no penalty for not being married for 10 years to your second spouse. Typically you need to be married for over one year, which you were. And, if your first husband dies, you would be eligible for Survivor Benefits based on his record. You would be able to choose between the two. However, you also would be eligible for your own benefits starting at 62. So you have quite a few calculations to do in order to maximize your benefits. I recommend you get a full Social Security analysis complete before making a decision: www.dolphinfinancialgroup.com/social-security-maximization-florida.php
If an American expat is married to a foreigner overseas and the American dies at 68 for example (And started collecting at 62) can the foreign wife get his social security? (Survivor benefit)
You have to be married 9 months to collect Survivor Benefits from a current spouse (unless the death is from an accident). For ex-spouse Survivor Benefits, you need to be married 10 years. www.benefits.gov/benefit/2898
I am eligible for survivor benefits. My ex started collecting at 62. I am 58 and plan to wait until my FTA at 67 to begin collecting SS benefits. If I wait until my FTA, am I entitled to his full benefits as if he had waited until 67, or is my benefit reduced to only the amount he was collecting at time of death because he claimed early?
Good question. Your survivor benefit is based on what your spouse was getting at the time of death. If your spouse claims early, then the Survivor is also reduced.
Actually in your situation the maximum surviving spouse benefit you will be entitled to is neither the benefit amount he was receiving nor his full benefit at FRA. Because your husband began receiving Social Security at 62 his benefit amount was somewhere around 70% of his PIA (Primary Insurance Amount, which is his FRA benefit). In that situation there is a set of rules referred to as the Widow's Limit, formally known as RIB-LIM, that provides your maximum benefit as 82.5% of his PIA, which will be more than he was receiving. And you will be entitled to that maximum amount in the month that you reach the age of 62 and 4 months. It will never increase past that time and you do not have to wait until your own FRA to be entitled to that maximum amount.
I was told you can collect survivor benefits from your ex if you have married before 60 and then divorced! But wait until 67 so you can get more money!
I was married for 15 years and had 3 children with my ex-spouse. The children are all grown. After 15 years, he remarried and was married for about 10 years. I did not remarry. He passed away 2 years ago. Do I qualify for survivor benefits even if I claim my own benefits now? I am 68 years old. He was 72 when he passed. I believe he took early retirement also because he was ill for a long time.
It sounds like you qualify for a Survivor Benefit. You should contact the SSA and ask to see if your benefits will increase since you are now a Survivor. You may be able to get 6 months retroactive benefits as you are older than your Full Retirement Age. Only the SSA can help you determine your benefits at this point.
Question. Say I take my x-husbands SS at 65 and year or two later he passes, would I want to wait till I am 70 to claim survivor benefits? Or will amount matter from 65 to 70? (I was a homemaker 23yrs and have not re-married.) Im not sure if I would wait or if it doesn't matter.
my husband died 7 yrs ago at 57. I received survivor benefits only until our oldest turned 16, then they stopped mine. I'm 47 now, why do I not qualify for survival benefits after our daughter turned 16??
Survivor benefits are for widows/widowers age 60 and above. Age 50 and older if disabled. Also for those at any age caring for the deceased’s child who is under age 16 or has a disability and receiving child’s benefits. www.ssa.gov/benefits/survivors/ifyou.html
I was only married to him married over 10 I wrote above he was making more than me but they give me my benefit and said was a family gap on spousal benefits cause kids got 680 this yr only up to 400
Great show. Thank you. I have a question. I lost my husband 16 years ago. He was 61 years old. I have never tried to claim his social security benefits because I have a widows pension from his retirement from law enforcement. Does a widow's pension disqualify me for receiving his social security benefit? Thank you.
No, it won't disqualify you from Survivor Benefits if your husband was entitled to Social Security. You might have to deal with GPO or WEP (reduction in benefits due to government pension). You should contact SSA to find out what your entitled to.
I never received my late husband's benefits, I was told because I receive SSDI and my pension that I don't qualify to get his benefits and I truly don't understand that... Any advice will be much appreciated... As you stated I did receive $255...
It depends on your situation, particularly your age and your own benefit, and if you are subject to a Government Pension Offset. There are too many unknowns to help guide you. Feel free to connect with us to share more specifics: www.dolphinfinancialgroup.com/contact-us.php
I was married 32 years. My husband died suddenly at age 52. I remarried 3 years later at age 53. I'm am 64 now and have been drawing my social security since age 62. Me and my current husband are getting a divorce. Can I draw my first husband social security at my full retirement age? Can I switch over to his or what are my options?
After the divorce, it seems like you may qualify for Survivor Benefits based on your first husband. You'll have to contact the SSA to find out what those benefits might be and then determine if you should switch from your own to Survivor Benefits. You may consider waiting until your full retirement age to collect Survivor Benefits, if available.
My husband died at age 45 in 2006. He was drawing ssdi at the time. I’m nearing 60 now (never remarried) and considering my options. I have heard of this thing called “windexing” in reference to calculating benefits for survivors of spouses who died young. Do you have any insight? I can’t seem to find much information about it.
"Windexing" is just a combination of the words widow(er) and indexing. The SSA is the one who runs the calculation and determination of what your Survivor Benefits are. Technically there are multiple ways to calculate your benefits and you receive the higher of the two. Once you get your Survivor Benefit determination, you could ask which method was used if you are concerned it is lower than you expect.
I get confused about spousal benefits. I lost my wife when she was fifty eight. When I retire at sixty seven, can l collect her benefits? I've been working for the DoD 48yrs. When l started l wasn't paying into SSI, so l don't qualify for much, even though l have reached my 40 quarters?
My husband died at 46 I started collecting survivor benefits at 61 bc I didn't know that I could have started at age 60 I also work but my earning were less so now I'm 64 I'm still going under survivor benefits because it pays more than mine difference is like 300 per month
Husband took soc sec at full retirement age. I am 62. If I take my own benefit and he dies before I reach full retirement age can I get his full benefit as survivor? If I understand correctly I can stay on my own benefit until full retirement age and then take the full amount that my husband had received?
@@Dolphinfinancialgroupfl second question. My benefit will be only a small sum. If I start on reduced spousal benefit at 63 and he dies when I am 64 will I be stuck with a reduced survivor's benefit?
My husband just passed away on Jan 2nd..is a Vietnam veteran..I talked to social security last week and she told me that this measly 255 lump sum pmnt.that I must qualify?? I met my husband in 1995 on father day..we married in 2009..we were married 14 years if that doesn't qualify me for their donation for losing my heart? Maybe I should donate it back to their family..(if they qualify)..my question is why do I at age 50 have to apply for Medicare? And after 10 years being disabled have to "requalify" and be determined disabled? Are they going to keep giving me disability? Somehow I doubt it!!
Sorry to hear about your loss. The $255 is quite low. It's available to the surviving spouse if you were living together. We just did a video on this topic here: ruclips.net/video/OypU6zN2xfA/видео.html
My ex-husband passed away a month ago I remarry 17 years ago can I get can I get his social security or and The wanted i Marry seventeen years go doesn't have any papers at all what can I do is there any help I can get he is not in the United he's in Mexico
My question is this.. my late husband passed away 5 years ago. I did remarry but the marriage only lasted 10 months and I had it annulled. Would I still be able to receive survivor benefits since technically the marriage never existed.
Surviving divorced spouse collects the full benefit at exes FRA or the benefit he received at the age he started to draw at? If He files early, does that affect the ex who waits to collect at 67?.
@Dolphinfinancialgroupfl what if the claiming spouse took early retirement...and the deceased spouse made it to retirement age...what percentage is the surviving spouse entitled to ? The deceased spouse benefits were higher.
If I am getting a spousal benefit on my spouses record at 62 and he dies before my full retirement age can I wait to claim the survivor benefit until my FRA so I can get my spouses full benefit he was getting? Or does SSA make me take it early?
Great question. If you already receive benefits as a spouse, your benefit will automatically convert to survivors benefits. www.ssa.gov/benefits/survivors/ifyou.html#:~:text=If%20you%20already%20receive%20benefits,receive%20the%20report%20of%20death.
This is the reply to the same question I put to you from The Medicare Family... It’s not automatic UNLESS your are at your full retirement age. At 62, it’s your choice when to switch over to Widow or Survivors Benefits .....Why am I getting so many different answers to the same question? Basically I can't take anyone's answer as the truth!
The only answer that should matter to you is the one from the SSA. This is why we reference SSA.gov in our answer: www.ssa.gov/benefits/survivors/ifyou.html#:~:text=If%20you%20already%20receive%20benefits,receive%20the%20report%20of%20death
Hi Dan, I’m 59 1/2 . Im divorced from my second husband. First husband died at 39 and was collecting SSDI , i was able to collect benefits for my children as soon as he became disabled even though i had remarried. Now I’m sing and wanting to know about SSDI survival benefits I maybe allowed at 60. What say you?
At 60 you may be able to collect Survivor Benefits from either spouse who has died. You'll have to contact the SSA to find out the potential benefit. Then you'll have to determine if you should wait until later for that Survivor Benefit and collect your own at 62. You should find out the benefit amounts then run a Social Security Maximization Report.
Ex and I were married 12 yrs, he passed on 4 yrs ago, I never remarried and will be 60 this year but not wanting to claim yet. How do I find the monthly amount of mine and my late ex-spouses SSI benefit?
So I've been married for 40 yrs to my only husband been widowed for over 20 yrs 58 and on ssdi so how come they said I can't get widow survivors benefits???
Age 60 is the earliest age to collect Survivor Benefits. However, if disabled, that age drops to 50. But...according to SSA, "you can begin to receive benefits as early as age 50 if you have a disability and the disability started before or within 7 years of the worker's death." www.ssa.gov/benefits/survivors/ifyou.html
Hello Dan, my husband died at 52 yrs old. I've been receiving survivor benefits since I was 60 at 71%, if I wait until I'm 66+6months will I get 100% of his Social Security Benefits? I understand I could get mine but, I was mostly a stay-at-home mom and hardly made any money.
You are locked in with the Survivor Benefit you are currently getting. You could switch to 100% of your own at your Full Retirement Age, but it sounds like your reduced Survivor Benefit is still higher. Sorry.
My husband passed away at 58 years old we were married 35 years we were divorced 2 years prior to his death he remarried and was healthy and dead in two years while she collected 3 life policies on him it’s really strange… I was told because I didn’t work I should wait till 62 because it will increase my survivors benefits so I’m waiting a few more years.
@@jackpotwinner1260 because your ex had not begun the receiving benefits prior to his death, your maximum surviving spouse benefit will be 100% of his PIA (Primary Insurance Amount, what his benefit would have been if he began receiving Social Security in the month he reached FRA). If you wait until your own FRA to begin benefits, which sounds like 67 for you, you wouldn't be entitled to 100% of his PIA. If you begin at 60 you would be entitled to 71.5% of his PIA. For every month past the age of 60 that you delay the start of benefits that percentage will steadily increase until you reach FRA. At age 61 it would be 75.6%, at 62 it would be 79.6%, at 63 it would be 83.7%, at 64 it would be 87.8%, at 65 it would be 91.9%, at 66 it would be 95.9% and at 67 it would be 100% of his PIA.
Married 18 yrs my spouse 45 , . died of cancer in Oct. '08 & was drawing his benefits. I was 42 & working & did not get survivors within 2 years & I became disabled at 51 in June of 2019. SSA said I can't get survivors benefits until I'm 60 even though I'm disabled...why can't I draw survivors because I'm disabled
@@messianictemple5105 an ex-spouse claiming spousal benefits does not negatively impact the benefits of the person being claimed against or their family.
I was married to my first husband for 18 years before I divorced him. I was married to my second husband for 12 years before I divorced him. My second husband passed away in 2021. I am 8 months away from turning 60. I have 2 questions for you, my second husband didn't work for the last 5 years of his life and off and on before that. I know he worked steadily from the age of 16 and even owned his own successful business. I know I can start drawing off my ex-deceased SS at 60, but what will the percentage be? Regarding my first husband, he is a disabled vet who started collecting SSI when we were still married and my children also received benefits until they turned 18. My ex has remarried. Would I be able to draw on his SSI when I turn 60 as well? Keep in mind, I plan on working until I turn 67, which is the age that I will get my full benefits.
If you draw Survivor Benefits at age 60, you get 71.5% of the benefit. www.ssa.gov/benefits/survivors/1962s.html At 60, you could draw a Survivor Benefit on either qualifying spouse, if they are deceased. Your first husband is alive, so you can't get a Survivor Benefit based on his record. You could claim a spousal benefit based on the first husband at age 62...but then you'd be deemed to have filed on your own benefit at that time as well.
My mom and stepfather has been married for 32 years and he died last year bec of cancer. Is there any way that my mom can claim his benefits? He died in veterans hospital in California and had no idea on what to do first. Does she need to go to US to process her claims? I hope to hear a response sir.. and im so glad that i found you here hoping to ask guidance.. God Bless
It seems like she should be eligible for Survivor Benefits. She should contact Social Security to find out. blog.ssa.gov/social-security-benefits-u-s-citizens-outside-the-united-states/
I am 57, disabled on SSI, am I able to get any of my ex husband's husband's benefits whom all are living. Mainly my first husband's? We were married six years, he also has not ever been remarried. What if he does remarry, what happens upon his death if she was married to him 10 years? The other 2 years. I have been disabled since 2004.
I married for 20 years then divorced is been 10 years I never remarried. I just find out he passed last year at age 66.5 years , all the kids is grow up and his parents passed too. now I’m 59.7 years still want to work till 67 years. I has proved of divorced and married but not his death certificate. I know he never claim his SS. Do I receive full 100% of his SS ? and without disturbing my SS in the future because I still working. If next year 2022 SS increase 5.6% more. Did the benefit will increase on my account? Did SS office open to apply in person now? I know I can’t apply online or by phone. To contact SS either way have to Sacrifice my day. Sometimes just for one question is take forever. Your knowledge to share and spend time to the audience is very helpful, thank you so much.
Its sounds like you would qualify for a Survivor's Benefit in a few months. You wouldn't get full benefits at 60 since you are taking it early. You could still work and claim, but would be subject to the Earnings Test. You could take a Survivor Benefit at 60 and switch to your own later or take your own at 62 and switch to Survivor Benefit later. There are too many options available to you to suggest the correct course of action. Contact us if you want a Social Security Maximization Report for your situation. www.dolphinfinancialgroup.com/social-security-maximization-florida.php
I’d love to get your report on all this sent if it’s indeed worth applying for survivor benefits. I’m pretty sure my ex who passed away 2 years ago achieved the 10 year work quota as my son who was at the time 18 received benefits until he turned 19. I’d love to find out how this may benefit me. I worked for all the years and she did odd jobs over the years as she had little interest in working, but there may be something I could get? We were married for 28 years, divorced in 2017, she died in 2019. I had no idea I could get something for her! I’m still only 57, and was thinking about getting married but it sounds like it’s perhaps wiser to wait till I’m 60.
There is a possibility you could claim a Survivor Benefit. However, unless disabled, you would have to wait to age 60 to claim that benefit. If you got remarried before age 60 you would no longer qualify for Survivor Benefits.
@@Dolphinfinancialgroupfl I will be retiring drawing from survivor's benefits January 1st 2022 when I turned 65. I will move from full to part time then. Plan not to over the earnings limit of $19,600. Will I be penalized on my survivors if I work part time.
A 42 year old is too young for Survivor Benefits unless caring for the deceased’s child who is under age 16 or has a disability and receiving child’s benefits. Here is a place with more detail: www.ssa.gov/benefits/survivors/ifyou.html#
Married for 25 years divorced in 2016. I’m on SSDI was on it for one year. However can I drawl from the ex when I turn 61 years old and 3 months? He will be 56 yrs old. He is been remarried since 2017
If your ex-spouse is currently entitled to Social Security benefits you may be able to qualify for benefits based on him...assuming your own benefit is lower.
Do you know anything about an additional benefit for widows of servicemen? My father-in-law passed away last year and it's been a struggle for my mother-in-law. We're helping her as much as we can, but I vaguely remember that when my grandfather died, my grandmother qualified for a small additional benefit because he had served during WWII. I have no idea where to even start searching for this info
My spouse passed away what a joke i work full time lost 3000 in income and found out i can't collect because i make to much i can't live on just my income
Why if both people worked and are married at the time of the death. Why can't you collect your ss and the spouses. It has to be one or the other. So what happens to the other ones benefit. That's why SS being taken out should be an option.
You may want to switch to benefits based on your new spouse. However, if you remarry after age 60 (age 50 if you have a disability), you will continue to qualify for benefits on your deceased spouse's Social Security record. www.ssa.gov/benefits/survivors/ifyou.html
If you can prove a legal marriage of 10 or more years, then you should be entitled to Survivor Benefits if your spouse dies. You'll have to connect with SSA and provide them the marriage details.
I am on SSDI and I’m 64. I was married for 24 years and we divorced last year. I’m receiving 1,800 on SSDI on my own record. He died at 69 but had just started receiving ssi at his full retirement age of 3,600. Will I receive all of his but at a reduced percentage for only being 64. I figure I’ll get around 90% of 3,600. Does that sound right?
That sounds roughly correct, maybe less than 90% depending on your actual age. You'd get 100% of the Survivor Benefit if you wait until your full retirement age.
Hi, I just started receiving surviors benefits from my exs record. I was already on disability. I'm on the west coast and he was on the east coast. Social security has just told me my backpay could take 1 to years. Does that sound correct?
This could be accurate depending on your situation. Here is an article with more insight into back pay: www.aarp.org/retirement/social-security/questions-answers/disability-back-pay.html
You are not mentioning the 7 years surviving disabled spouse rule ...7 years from last intitlement to parent caring for child payment say spouse died when child was 3 and you get parents benefit untill they turn 16 you have 7 years from that date not 7 years from when spouse died
There certainly are separate rules for disability benefits and for disabled survivors. This podcast was focused on standard Social Security. We have been planning to do a show on disability benefits scenarios.
What if your spouse dies young and you have children. And the child turns 18, but you continue working, but now your approaching 60 , can I claim his social security and wait to collect mine.
You may be eligible to claim a Survivor Benefit at 60 and switch to your own later. You may also want to claim your own at 62 and switch to the Survivor Benefit later. You should run a maximization report to compare your options: www.dolphinfinancialgroup.com/social-security-maximization-florida.php
Hi. Thank you for you YT channel. I'd like to ask a question if I may....I have been doing a lot of research for a friend in Indonesia whose husband worked for an American company and has since passed in Jan 2023. A long story short, but, a family friend of hers found out that the FBU in Manila handles 40 countires in Asia. A forrm was completed in November 2023, but to date only one phone call back from Manila and she has no idea when and how long they will take to before she will receive her benefit! To make things worse, she has no job and two daughters 15 and 21. What basically I am asking on her behalf is how can she move forward quickly to resovle this? Thank you in advance.
The SSA added staff recently to try to eliminate backlogs. Your friend needs to be persistent and/or patient. She should call to make sure the SSA has all the information needed. Good luck.
If you haven't remarried, it seems you would qualify to receive Survivor Benefits at 60. However, if you are still working, you will want to consider the earnings test: ruclips.net/video/S1rwtuFw2xo/видео.html
I’ve always figured the $255 is a small payoff for letting them know that they can quit paying. It’s not to help anyone, just signaling that they can save money by stopping payments.😅
Interesting idea. The $255 was enough back in the 1940s, but it wasn't pegged to inflation. ruclips.net/video/OypU6zN2xfA/видео.htmlsi=wdH7LlmGRsklSA-i
@@Dolphinfinancialgroupfl that’s what I was told anyway, somebody gets paid for signaling that you died. One of the funeral homes here was doing that and “ forgetting” to tell the customers, they would give it to them if they called them on it otherwise they would keep it.
Ok my husband died at the age of 66 years old. And I became disabled at 50 years old. He worked from age 16th til he was 62. I worked in the health care field 15--20. We both work. How come my check was lil bigger than his. I don't understand. I feel that they didn't add that right. And why they want give us a percentage of your spouses benefits?
Each person's Social Security record is based on their top 35 years of work history. It all depends on how much was put into the system over those 35 years. Everyone's amounts are different.
I want to take my ss at around 64 because it’s the lower amount , work part time but make 35.60 over . Does buying healthcare deduct from the gross income becauseI am real sure it will be more then 35.60 . thanks so much
both my parents have passed can i receive survivor benefits my mom recently passed in 2020 and I beleive she only when she was young before she got married
I'm a survivor of my ex-husband social security told me I could apply at 60 and I did but they told me he was getting 1600.00 a month in order for me to get it they will have to reduce to 1177.00 a month for me. I been taking this amount for 7 months now but I just saw this podcast were you said I could have gotten 💯 percent!?? I'm not quite sure what to do about this...
If you were married for 10 years and now divorced and you decide to get spousal benefits, and he’s receiving benefits, does that reduce the amount of benefits that he receives?
It’s my understanding you can collect both ( yours and their ‘s ( having worked your whole life, then even if divorced .. married over 10 years and even over 20 years they die and the amount is larger.. not remarried or divorced .. can collect both?
@@Dolphinfinancialgroupfl why does it say this on SSA site?: Jennie is a 62-year-old widow. She is eligible for retirement benefits based on her work history, and she is also eligible for survivor benefits based on her deceased husband’s record. Why does it say that if it’s not true?
@@susandesjardins4441 In this scenario, someone may be eligible for SS based on two different work histories, but they are only allowed to choose one. In some cases you can switch between different benefits as well to maximize, but you can only claim one benefit at a time.
Susan: It is a yes and a no. What Social Security told me in person is that the TOTAL amount is either the worker's benefit or the ex spouse's benefit. But if one is not doing complicated financial planning for which additional forms are required, actually the claimant at times draws from both accounts. For example, if the ex-wife has $1000/mo in her disability account and the ex-husband has $3000/mo in his account, FOR INTERNAL ACCOUNTING, Social Security draws $1000 from her record and $500 from his record to make the $1500 if he has retired, and she is on disability. Whether SS draws from both to make up the total survivor benefits, I never asked them. There are methods of turning that default off.
@@Dolphinfinancialgroupfl Not what Social Security told me in person about ten miles from Washington, D.C. When fancy financial planning is NOT involved, a disabled person draws on his or her own account first for internal, Social Security accounting purposes only. Then WHEN the disabled person requests ex-spousal benefits be turned on, additional funds are drawn and recorded from the ex-spouse's account. The ex-spouse's benefits top off, but the actual funds are drawn partially from both accounts --but only for internal Social Security bookkeeping. In the example of the ex-wife's account producing a $1000/mo disability benefit and the ex- husband having $3000/month retirement benefit, the ex-wife's account would be debited $1000, and the ex-husband's account would be debited $500. Her $1000 is NOT added to his $1500 to produce $2500/mo in disability to her. Most people cannot grasp the subtle difference. All they want to know is the top dollar. Mostly, the only things influenced are the publicly announced annual, total expenses of the survivor, disability, and retirement pay outs. Also, Social Security explicitly told me ALL disability payments on a person's own record are switched over to retirement at 62. Nobody ever discusses whether the lower earning spouse's surviver benefit is incrementally reduced by how many months short of full retirement they turn on the 50% of spousal benefits. Most say that the spousal survival benefit is automatically 100% of the higher earner's benefit. Yet you claim an ex-spouse of 62 would get 71%. That does nothing to explain to anybody who was on disability from 65, for example, who gets no survivor benefits until 80 what in heck they can budget for. The guesstimate looks like 1% reduction per month.
Thank You All for this great information because my Ex husband has passed 5weeks ago and I needed this ❤️ 🙏 And We were Divorced also but we were married for for 26yrs
Glad it was helpful in planning your claiming strategy.
Correct! 255.00 does not pay for anything from experience.
Check out this video about the Social Security lump sum death benefit: ruclips.net/video/OypU6zN2xfA/видео.html
Divorced survivors benefits - filed for benefits in march of 2022, and was approved with first check in September. Because they took 6 months to process, I was able to get 6 months of back pay - back to the date of the initial request
My mother in law began taking her deceased husband's social security when he died at 67 (they were both 67). She's now 100 years old. I look at SS as old age insurance. I don't want to live to be 100 years old, but it's nice to know there's some money coming in if I do reach that age.
Social Security is officially known as the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) program.
You don't make sense . You just wasted 2 minutes of our life
@@tammygreen159😮😂
There should be alot of money from the people who never claimed their money because they didn't make it through the recent world wide health crisis.
Hi. Thank you for your good work. My sister took her deceased husband’s survivor benefit a few yrs ago at age 60 due to financial hardship. She since returned to work and had the survivors benefit reduced due to earning income over the allowable amount. (She may or may not have a larger benefit of her own at her FRA of 67.) Question: If she suspends the survivors benefit now while continuing to work….Can she start the survivors again at her FRA 67? Will it be higher at that time? Or permanently reduced since she started and suspended it?
She cannot suspend social security retirement benefits before full retirement age: www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/suspend.html
I wish you guys would get serious here. I'm trying to understand this.
Norma: Videos can be replayed until understood. The transcript can be read, too.
I'm an American living in South Africa. That $255 you mentioned would be a bit over 5000 Rand here. The exchange rate is nearly 19 to one..... so it would help pay for much more than flowers! Cheers....
Funeral arrangements may be cheaper outside of the US...but this assumes the SSA recipient dies outside the US.
Thank you for helping us understand some of this cause it's so confusing and nobody tells us nothing
Social Security is confusing, but it is extremely important for many people. Glad you are able to benefit from our conversations and information.
P
P
Useful information 👍. It's I have been told from ssi office.
so my survivor benefit as a widow, should it be 100% of his SS (he died in 2021 at age 75, on SS and VA 100% disability pay) or do I only get 82.5%??? I'm very confused - all these videos from you and other SS experts say 100% first and then later in the video they say 82.5%. HELP!!!
Wow I thought I wrote this! Exact same senario
Depends on your age.
Here is a video on Survivor Benefits being limited if your spouse claimed early. This might be what you are talking about: ruclips.net/video/ykHgNDqhgQ4/видео.htmlsi=dRy9mkGL5ohvTAXG
Could you clarify one thing please? As a surviving qualified divorced spouse, if I take his benefits at age 60 (at the reduced 71% amount), will that reduce my benefit if I were to change and take my own benefits at my full retirement age? Thank you in advance
No reduction. Survivor benefits are not considered deemed filing. So your own benefits will continue to grow and you'll obtain them at the older age calculation when you switch. www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/claiming.html
V. Also read the senior citizen tax rules ascan IRS PDF online
So my husband passed away
So he had an x spouse
So who gets the social security benefits?
It’s confusing from what to do ?
Any advice.
He was getting a pension through a veteran he was 100% disabled through “Social security”
Thank you for the advice !
Wonderful info for some who don’t know.
Sorry to hear you lost your spouse. If you both qualify as spouse, you can technically both collect a Survivor Benefit. You would not be impacting each other in any way.
Thx for sharing…btw, are survivor’s benefits subject to an income test based on of the survivor’s current income?
There are negative loop holes on that $255 death benefit. My husband and I lived in separate houses and they denied me the $255. Even though we were married, we had to live in the same house.
Yes, we talk about this in our show on the meager SS death benefit: ruclips.net/video/OypU6zN2xfA/видео.htmlsi=2HuGIusDBtE875Lx
Normawaller’s a grouch. I like the injection of humor for a very depressing subject. What happens if I remarry before choosing either benefit? I’m 63. Wife passed away without taking social security. I plan to take mine (smaller amount) at 65, then wait until 70 to take wife’s. Would I lose that opportunity if I remarry in the interim?
No, you would not lose access to a Survivor Benefit. However, the Survivor Benefit doesn't receive delayed retirement credits. So it will not grow past your full retirement age (besides COLA). You may consider claiming Survivor Benefits now and switching to your own benefit at 70 as your own benefit would continue to grow until age 70. You'll have to do the math or contact us to run a report.
@@Dolphinfinancialgroupfl much thanks
Thanks for explaining divorced survivors benefits. This confirms what I recently learned from AARP. 👍
You are welcome! Glad to hear good information is being shared.
Yes! Thank you!
@@Dolphinfinancialgroupfl Hi, I know you probably don't remember me; I promise you I will let you know if I am qualified for my ex-deceased husband's survivor benefits. Well, im back to let you know that I received my first check this month, November 3rd, 2022, and I would like to thank you for your interest in taking out the time to answer my questions.
Now, I have another question to ask you. I received $108 from SSI to make up the difference from my SS check. My question. I was told by the person who was taking my application. She said at first I would receive 10,000 retroactive pay for the six months; after that, she said she made a mistake, and I would receive $5,000 because of the $108 I was getting from SSI. They will deduct it. The following week I talked to her to ask her when I should expect it to be sent to me; she seemed a little clueless and said she didn’t know if I would receive anything. I called the social security office and asked them to look into it; they told me the retroactive check is being looked over, and I should hear from them in 30-40 days. Can you answer if I would be entitled to any retroactive payments? I appreciate any help you can provide.
@@foreveryours7464 retroactive benefits are highly dependent on each individual situation and timing. We can't offer any insight. You are following the correct steps in working with the SSA. It sometimes just takes extra time for decisions.
@@Dolphinfinancialgroupfl Thank you. I will let you know how everything went.
I am a 36 year old mom I wasn't married to my child's father when he died. I will get benefits for my child until she is 18. If I get married will I lose those benefits?
Do you get Social Security benefits or does your child get benefits or both?
I am age 70 and on my full social security. My wife of 39 years was turning 62 this year however; she just passed away about a month ago. Am I entitled to any of her social security benefit? We reside in Florida. Thanks in advance for any help or information. Jim
Sorry to hear about your loss. It seems you would qualify for Survivor Benefits. However, unless your deceased spouse's record is higher than yours, it won't change your SS situation. You can only claim one benefit at a time - your own or one based on your deceased spouse.
My sister was married to her husband for seven years, then they divorced and each remarried, they both ended up divorced from their second spouses then my sister remarried he first husband, he passed away years later, my sister had to show Social Security all divorce and marriage certificates to social security, who added up the years my sister was married the first and second time to her husband, so that she was married to my deceased brother in law 10 plus combined and she was able to claim survivor benefits instead of the second wife, who did try to claim his benefits as well. 🤪
The way we read the rules, the marriage must last 10 years to qualify for benefits against based on an ex-spouse. The rule seems to be that a marriage must be 10 consecutive years. Perhaps your sister's second time married to her first husband lasted 10+ years? Of course, the SSA makes all final determinations.
I receive my full retirement at 66 because ex spouse had not reach FRA. If he should pass away at FRA can I refile and draw his Social Security?
If ex spouse claim Social Security early due to disability, but ex Spouse pass after FRA. Can I switch from my SS to Survival Benefits if his is more?
My husband died at age 86. Retired at 70. I am 59 do I get 100% of the widows benefit if I claim it at 60.
@@lynettefarrelly8558 No. You'll get 100% of the survivor benefit at your full retirement age of 67.
Hey Dan and Tony... another excellent show.!! Very entertaining, just like the other shows you've made.
I just turned 57 in 2023. I'm married more than 35 years.
Wife is on disability. What happens if I die before my wife (she's 2 years younger)?
Will she get the disability and / or the survisorship social security on my behalf?
I'd like to collect my retirement social security at 60 or 62 but continue to work for more years to come.
I just want to have more monthly income by collecting SS and working at the same time. Is this a bad strategy?
Survivor benefits are first available for most people at age 60. Those disabled may be eligible at age 50. www.ssa.gov/benefits/survivors/ifyou.html
If you claim SS before your full retirement age and continue to work, you'll be subjected to the earnings limit. ruclips.net/video/S1rwtuFw2xo/видео.html
It often makes sense to delay SS rather than claim and work...but each situation is different.
Diogenes: Social Security told me they automatically switch all the disabled onto their own retirement account at 62 and keep the amount at the disability amount through the transfer.
She will have a choice of getting 1/2 of whatever amount you get in retirement without reducing your retirement amount. Find out which one of you had the bigger account.
Some Social Security agents are really good about presenting your choices. It is very good to spend time checking with more than one Social Security agent to be sure they agree. Let each
This show has brought up a lot of questions for me. I have 3 sons, all three are disabled from birth. My question is, can my children each get survivor benefits from their deceased father?
I am 83 years old, they're in their 60s plus age groups. They're all on disability right now.
M.
They are most likely already receiving benefits based upon a parent's benefit record: www.ssa.gov/benefits/disability/qualify.html#anchor7
im a survivor spause, my husband died last may 16,2020 when he died hes 87 years old he a retired US Army major, im not getting SS benefit im leaving outside US im not american cetezen im leaving in Philippines, im 61 years old, how can i get SS benefits.
You seem to be subject to the 5 year residency rule. But, your situation is too complex to offer guidance. You need to contact Social Security to get the answers. Here is a tool that may help: www.ssa.gov/international/payments_outsideUS.html
Thank you so much for the video. I am a widower and am 60 years old. Me and my wife were married for 29 years. My wife passed away in 2023 when she was 57and half. She was a full time home maker and never worked. I came to know that she would have got half of what I get in SS as spousal benefit. I am planning to work until my full retirement age and beyond and then only to claim my own SS benefit. Since my wife is no more, and she does not have any SS on her own as she did not work, is there a way I can claim anything until i start drawing my own SS benefit at full retirement age.
You will have to contact SSA and find out if you are entitled to a Survivor Benefit. However, from what you wrote, it seems like you will have to claim your own to get any benefits. If she did not put into the system, then she did not generate a Survivor Benefit.
Thank God for this my p
On divorced survivors benefits. Under FRA. Will the digital dollar impact SS survivors benefits -under FRA- if working seasonal job that is under annual earnings limit but excedes monthly earnings limit?
Gud evening sir I am here in Canada since I cannot afford to pay my apt because my husband passed away in 2022 I received my survivors benefit Am I also entitled to a retirement pay since I stopped working at age 70 ?
If I were to take dual entitlement at 63... am I locked into that payment if something were to happen to my husband?
His ss is 2700.00 a month at full retirement age of 67 after Medicare. My retirement at 63 would be a little over 900.
If you take your own benefit at 63 and then lose your spouse later, you'll have an option to switch to Survivor Benefits of a qualifying spouse.
Great info. Would like more info on best time to ..begin spousal support. Please provide a number to inquire.
Contact info is displayed at the end of all videos. Here is a link to contact: www.dolphinfinancialgroup.com/contact-us.php
I was married over 10 years. If my ex husband were to die, would the Social Security Administration inform me? My ex left me about 22 years ago, & zero contact after that day. He could be alive or dead, who knows.
If you are already getting benefits based on his record, then you'll get an automatic bump to Survivor Benefits when he dies. But, if you are using your own record, you'll have to contact SS to find out if he died. They probably won't reach out to you. Since you may get SS benefits six months retroactively, you might want to call SS every six months. Somber thought, but it's better to be proactive in this situation.
Jane: Contact Social Security and ask specifically whether they have on their computer records the specific years that the two of you filed joint income tax returns. Ask them to calculate whether you could collect more now by receiving 1/2 of his rate.
I believe the channel presenter calls it a Maximization Report.
Many people don't know that Social Security already has spousal Social Security number info for joint income tax years.
Ask Social Security whether they can link your files in order to notify you when he passes. Computer technology expands services that are not always announced.
If you have to call every 6 months, keep asking whether they have the new capacity to inform you without your calling in.
@@BoatsArtsPolitics I am too young for Social Security benefits, but someday!
Whatif new wife doesn’t call in ssa death how is ex spouse suppose to collect full retirement benefits that I waited abt convert to higher survivorship
You will need to contact SSA on regular intervals to determine if your ex-spouse has passed away. They will be able to tell you if you qualify for Survivor Benefits or not. This is your best course of action if you do not have any means of keeping track of your ex-spouse's status.
I didn't know that
Applied for spousal benefits last year, because I have federal pension , which is more my wife's benefit., I was denied!. My SS is a lot less than wifes! We are both in our 70's and both retired at 62 and she is still living!
Sounds like you are dealing with GPO - Government Pension Offset: www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/gpo-calc.html
My pops passed away 11 or 12 yrs ago im just now finding out i could possibly be getting my dad benefits and i honestly had no idea at all im still shocked tbh i really don't think ill get anything tbh he passed at 57 i was in my early 20s at the time im 36 now
If you was disabled by 22 and he paid half your cost then yes you can get it. I just read that part for a friend. Best wishes. By the way... The SS lie and don't know Thier job you may need an attorney.
I get SS under WEP would I get my spouses SS if she should pass away…her benefit is triple my SS
The WEP doesn't apply to Survivor Benefits. However, those Survivor Benefits may be subjected to Government Pension Offset (GPO). Here is a video we did on WEP and GPO: ruclips.net/video/JEDUa2Enbu8/видео.html
I was married for 14 years to my first husband and then divorced. I married my second husband and was married for only a year and ahalf before he deceased at 51. I turn 60 soon and was wondering if there is a penalty bc I wasnt married 10 years to my second husband. And since second husband died would I still be eligible to recieve benefits off my first husband instead of second if he were to die. Only asking bc he has parkinsins disease and it is a probability.
Hi Darlene - based on your situation, it appears you may be eligible for Survivor Benefits at 60. There is no penalty for not being married for 10 years to your second spouse. Typically you need to be married for over one year, which you were. And, if your first husband dies, you would be eligible for Survivor Benefits based on his record. You would be able to choose between the two. However, you also would be eligible for your own benefits starting at 62. So you have quite a few calculations to do in order to maximize your benefits. I recommend you get a full Social Security analysis complete before making a decision: www.dolphinfinancialgroup.com/social-security-maximization-florida.php
If an American expat is married to a foreigner overseas and the American dies at 68 for example (And started collecting at 62) can the foreign wife get his social security? (Survivor benefit)
Maybe. It depends on your situation. (Philippines is on this list): www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/handbook/handbook.18/handbook-1845.html
How many years you have to married legally to your spouse and after they died to collect their social security benefits
You have to be married 9 months to collect Survivor Benefits from a current spouse (unless the death is from an accident). For ex-spouse Survivor Benefits, you need to be married 10 years. www.benefits.gov/benefit/2898
I am eligible for survivor benefits. My ex started collecting at 62. I am 58 and plan to wait until my FTA at 67 to begin collecting SS benefits. If I wait until my FTA, am I entitled to his full benefits as if he had waited until 67, or is my benefit reduced to only the amount he was collecting at time of death because he claimed early?
Good question. Your survivor benefit is based on what your spouse was getting at the time of death. If your spouse claims early, then the Survivor is also reduced.
Actually in your situation the maximum surviving spouse benefit you will be entitled to is neither the benefit amount he was receiving nor his full benefit at FRA. Because your husband began receiving Social Security at 62 his benefit amount was somewhere around 70% of his PIA (Primary Insurance Amount, which is his FRA benefit). In that situation there is a set of rules referred to as the Widow's Limit, formally known as RIB-LIM, that provides your maximum benefit as 82.5% of his PIA, which will be more than he was receiving. And you will be entitled to that maximum amount in the month that you reach the age of 62 and 4 months. It will never increase past that time and you do not have to wait until your own FRA to be entitled to that maximum amount.
I’m receiving disability benefits my spouse just passed away. How does that work for survivors benefits?
I was told you can collect survivor benefits from your ex if you have married before 60 and then divorced! But wait until 67 so you can get more money!
We did a podcast on this specific topic: ruclips.net/video/6oWfn8wivmk/видео.htmlsi=cC1LEB-8_AYiak8a
I was married for 15 years and had 3 children with my ex-spouse. The children are all grown. After 15 years, he remarried and was married for about 10 years. I did not remarry. He passed away 2 years ago. Do I qualify for survivor benefits even if I claim my own benefits now? I am 68 years old. He was 72 when he passed. I believe he took early retirement also because he was ill for a long time.
It sounds like you qualify for a Survivor Benefit. You should contact the SSA and ask to see if your benefits will increase since you are now a Survivor. You may be able to get 6 months retroactive benefits as you are older than your Full Retirement Age. Only the SSA can help you determine your benefits at this point.
Thank you so much. I will contact the SSA as you suggested.
@@Dolphinfinancialgroupfl
Good luck and let us know how it goes so others can learn from your experience.
we r all in our 50's
Question. Say I take my x-husbands SS at 65 and year or two later he passes, would I want to wait till I am 70 to claim survivor benefits? Or will amount matter from 65 to 70? (I was a homemaker 23yrs and have not re-married.) Im not sure if I would wait or if it doesn't matter.
No. Survivor Benefits do not grow (other than COLA) past the Survivor's full retirement age.
Explain the widows limit
my husband died 7 yrs ago at 57. I received survivor benefits only until our oldest turned 16, then they stopped mine. I'm 47 now, why do I not qualify for survival benefits after our daughter turned 16??
Survivor benefits are for widows/widowers age 60 and above. Age 50 and older if disabled. Also for those at any age caring for the deceased’s child who is under age 16 or has a disability and receiving child’s benefits. www.ssa.gov/benefits/survivors/ifyou.html
What if you remarried but the new husband died 7 years into marriage, 1 st husband died recently at 60 yrs old
I was only married to him married over 10 I wrote above he was making more than me but they give me my benefit and said was a family gap on spousal benefits cause kids got 680 this yr only up to 400
Great show. Thank you. I have a question. I lost my husband 16 years ago. He was 61 years old. I have never tried to claim his social security benefits because I have a widows pension from his retirement from law enforcement. Does a widow's pension disqualify me for receiving his social security benefit? Thank you.
No, it won't disqualify you from Survivor Benefits if your husband was entitled to Social Security. You might have to deal with GPO or WEP (reduction in benefits due to government pension). You should contact SSA to find out what your entitled to.
I never received my late husband's benefits, I was told because I receive SSDI and my pension that I don't qualify to get his benefits and I truly don't understand that... Any advice will be much appreciated... As you stated I did receive $255...
It depends on your situation, particularly your age and your own benefit, and if you are subject to a Government Pension Offset. There are too many unknowns to help guide you. Feel free to connect with us to share more specifics: www.dolphinfinancialgroup.com/contact-us.php
I was married 32 years. My husband died suddenly at age 52. I remarried 3 years later at age 53. I'm am 64 now and have been drawing my social security since age 62. Me and my current husband are getting a divorce. Can I draw my first husband social security at my full retirement age? Can I switch over to his or what are my options?
After the divorce, it seems like you may qualify for Survivor Benefits based on your first husband. You'll have to contact the SSA to find out what those benefits might be and then determine if you should switch from your own to Survivor Benefits. You may consider waiting until your full retirement age to collect Survivor Benefits, if available.
My husband died at age 45 in 2006. He was drawing ssdi at the time. I’m nearing 60 now (never remarried) and considering my options. I have heard of this thing called “windexing” in reference to calculating benefits for survivors of spouses who died young. Do you have any insight? I can’t seem to find much information about it.
"Windexing" is just a combination of the words widow(er) and indexing. The SSA is the one who runs the calculation and determination of what your Survivor Benefits are. Technically there are multiple ways to calculate your benefits and you receive the higher of the two. Once you get your Survivor Benefit determination, you could ask which method was used if you are concerned it is lower than you expect.
If he was on ssi thats there federal funds i doute that applies
I get confused about spousal benefits. I lost my wife when she was fifty eight. When I retire at sixty seven, can l collect her benefits? I've been working for the DoD 48yrs. When l started l wasn't paying into SSI, so l don't qualify for much, even though l have reached my 40 quarters?
@dennishernandez5736 you can receive her benefits at age 60! It will not be 100% benefits, so if you can wait til 67 for full benefits.
My husband died at 46 I started collecting survivor benefits at 61 bc I didn't know that I could have started at age 60 I also work but my earning were less so now I'm 64 I'm still going under survivor benefits because it pays more than mine difference is like 300 per month
Husband took soc sec at full retirement age. I am 62. If I take my own benefit and he dies before I reach full retirement age can I get his full benefit as survivor? If I understand correctly I can stay on my own benefit until full retirement age and then take the full amount that my husband had received?
@@stephaniekidoodles7655 correct. You can wait until your FRA to claim his full benefit in your situation.
@@Dolphinfinancialgroupfl second question. My benefit will be only a small sum. If I start on reduced spousal benefit at 63 and he dies when I am 64 will I be stuck with a reduced survivor's benefit?
My husband just passed away on Jan 2nd..is a Vietnam veteran..I talked to social security last week and she told me that this measly 255 lump sum pmnt.that I must qualify?? I met my husband in 1995 on father day..we married in 2009..we were married 14 years if that doesn't qualify me for their donation for losing my heart? Maybe I should donate it back to their family..(if they qualify)..my question is why do I at age 50 have to apply for Medicare? And after 10 years being disabled have to "requalify" and be determined disabled? Are they going to keep giving me disability? Somehow I doubt it!!
Sorry to hear about your loss. The $255 is quite low. It's available to the surviving spouse if you were living together. We just did a video on this topic here: ruclips.net/video/OypU6zN2xfA/видео.html
My ex-husband passed away a month ago I remarry 17 years ago can I get can I get his social security or and The wanted i Marry seventeen years go doesn't have any papers at all what can I do is there any help I can get he is not in the United he's in Mexico
My question is this.. my late husband passed away 5 years ago. I did remarry but the marriage only lasted 10 months and I had it annulled. Would I still be able to receive survivor benefits since technically the marriage never existed.
Your qualification for Survivor Benefits based on your first husband should not be impacted by the remarriage as you describe.
Surviving divorced spouse collects the full benefit at exes FRA or the benefit he received at the age he started to draw at? If He files early, does that affect the ex who waits to collect at 67?.
Here is a show explaining the limit on Survivor Benefits is your spouse filed early: ruclips.net/video/ykHgNDqhgQ4/видео.htmlsi=dRy9mkGL5ohvTAXG
@Dolphinfinancialgroupfl what if the claiming spouse took early retirement...and the deceased spouse made it to retirement age...what percentage is the surviving spouse entitled to ? The deceased spouse benefits were higher.
If I am getting a spousal benefit on my spouses record at 62 and he dies before my full retirement age can I wait to claim the survivor benefit until my FRA so I can get my spouses full benefit he was getting? Or does SSA make me take it early?
Great question. If you already receive benefits as a spouse, your benefit will automatically convert to survivors benefits. www.ssa.gov/benefits/survivors/ifyou.html#:~:text=If%20you%20already%20receive%20benefits,receive%20the%20report%20of%20death.
This is the reply to the same question I put to you from The Medicare Family...
It’s not automatic UNLESS your are at your full retirement age. At 62, it’s your choice when to switch over to Widow or Survivors Benefits .....Why am I getting so many different answers to the same question? Basically I can't take anyone's answer as the truth!
The only answer that should matter to you is the one from the SSA. This is why we reference SSA.gov in our answer: www.ssa.gov/benefits/survivors/ifyou.html#:~:text=If%20you%20already%20receive%20benefits,receive%20the%20report%20of%20death
@Dolphin: Question: does one have an income cap if they take the survivor benefit? Can one still work full time and take the survivor benefit?
The earnings test applies to SS benefits taken before your full retirement age. ruclips.net/video/S1rwtuFw2xo/видео.html
Hi Dan, I’m 59 1/2 . Im divorced from my second husband. First husband died at 39 and was collecting SSDI , i was able to collect benefits for my children as soon as he became disabled even though i had remarried. Now I’m sing and wanting to know about SSDI survival benefits I maybe allowed at 60. What say you?
Single
This may depend on how long you were married in each instance.
@@Dolphinfinancialgroupfl 14 years each
At 60 you may be able to collect Survivor Benefits from either spouse who has died. You'll have to contact the SSA to find out the potential benefit. Then you'll have to determine if you should wait until later for that Survivor Benefit and collect your own at 62. You should find out the benefit amounts then run a Social Security Maximization Report.
Ex and I were married 12 yrs, he passed on 4 yrs ago, I never remarried and will be 60 this year but not wanting to claim yet. How do I find the monthly amount of mine and my late ex-spouses SSI benefit?
You need to contact the SSA.
@@Dolphinfinancialgroupfl thank you, will do
So I've been married for 40 yrs to my only husband been widowed for over 20 yrs 58 and on ssdi so how come they said I can't get widow survivors benefits???
Age 60 is the earliest age to collect Survivor Benefits. However, if disabled, that age drops to 50. But...according to SSA, "you can begin to receive benefits as early as age 50 if you have a disability and the disability started before or within 7 years of the worker's death." www.ssa.gov/benefits/survivors/ifyou.html
Hello Dan, my husband died at 52 yrs old. I've been receiving survivor benefits since I was 60 at 71%, if I wait until I'm 66+6months will I get 100% of his Social Security Benefits? I understand I could get mine but, I was mostly a stay-at-home mom and hardly made any money.
You are locked in with the Survivor Benefit you are currently getting. You could switch to 100% of your own at your Full Retirement Age, but it sounds like your reduced Survivor Benefit is still higher. Sorry.
My husband passed away at 58 years old we were married 35 years we were divorced 2 years prior to his death he remarried and was healthy and dead in two years while she collected 3 life policies on him it’s really strange… I was told because I didn’t work I should wait till 62 because it will increase my survivors benefits so I’m waiting a few more years.
@@jackpotwinner1260 because your ex had not begun the receiving benefits prior to his death, your maximum surviving spouse benefit will be 100% of his PIA (Primary Insurance Amount, what his benefit would have been if he began receiving Social Security in the month he reached FRA). If you wait until your own FRA to begin benefits, which sounds like 67 for you, you wouldn't be entitled to 100% of his PIA. If you begin at 60 you would be entitled to 71.5% of his PIA. For every month past the age of 60 that you delay the start of benefits that percentage will steadily increase until you reach FRA. At age 61 it would be 75.6%, at 62 it would be 79.6%, at 63 it would be 83.7%, at 64 it would be 87.8%, at 65 it would be 91.9%, at 66 it would be 95.9% and at 67 it would be 100% of his PIA.
Married 18 yrs my spouse 45 , . died of cancer in Oct. '08 & was drawing his benefits. I was 42 & working & did not get survivors within 2 years & I became disabled at 51 in June of 2019. SSA said I can't get survivors benefits until I'm 60 even though I'm disabled...why can't I draw survivors because I'm disabled
Are you currently getting your own SS benefit? If so, perhaps your own is higher? Here's a screening tool: www.benefits.gov/benefit/4386
My husband passed away 3 weeks ago.he is a pensioner in u.s can i apply a spousal benefits,
Unless disabled, the earliest you can claim Survivor Benefits is age 60.
Can both the ex-spouse and the present spouse all get the benefit?
Yes. Multiple people can claim against the same person's SS record.
@@Dolphinfinancialgroupfl Thank you for the response. Does what one person claims diminish what the other person may claim?
@@messianictemple5105 an ex-spouse claiming spousal benefits does not negatively impact the benefits of the person being claimed against or their family.
I was married to my first husband for 18 years before I divorced him. I was married to my second husband for 12 years before I divorced him. My second husband passed away in 2021. I am 8 months away from turning 60. I have 2 questions for you, my second husband didn't work for the last 5 years of his life and off and on before that. I know he worked steadily from the age of 16 and even owned his own successful business. I know I can start drawing off my ex-deceased SS at 60, but what will the percentage be?
Regarding my first husband, he is a disabled vet who started collecting SSI when we were still married and my children also received benefits until they turned 18. My ex has remarried. Would I be able to draw on his SSI when I turn 60 as well? Keep in mind, I plan on working until I turn 67, which is the age that I will get my full benefits.
If you draw Survivor Benefits at age 60, you get 71.5% of the benefit. www.ssa.gov/benefits/survivors/1962s.html
At 60, you could draw a Survivor Benefit on either qualifying spouse, if they are deceased. Your first husband is alive, so you can't get a Survivor Benefit based on his record. You could claim a spousal benefit based on the first husband at age 62...but then you'd be deemed to have filed on your own benefit at that time as well.
My mom and stepfather has been married for 32 years and he died last year bec of cancer. Is there any way that my mom can claim his benefits? He died in veterans hospital in California and had no idea on what to do first. Does she need to go to US to process her claims? I hope to hear a response sir.. and im so glad that i found you here hoping to ask guidance.. God Bless
My mom is here in the Philippines when my stepfather died last year
It seems like she should be eligible for Survivor Benefits. She should contact Social Security to find out. blog.ssa.gov/social-security-benefits-u-s-citizens-outside-the-united-states/
What about 2 Seniors who are not Married, yet live together?
The SSA does recognize Common Law Marriages. It depends on your state of residence and situation.
Can you get 2 years back pay when you're on widow's benefits
Past due benefits or "back pay" is something associated with disability SSDI or SSI. Survivor benefits are something different.
I am 57, disabled on SSI, am I able to get any of my ex husband's husband's benefits whom all are living. Mainly my first husband's? We were married six years, he also has not ever been remarried. What if he does remarry, what happens upon his death if she was married to him 10 years? The other 2 years. I have been disabled since 2004.
You need to be married 10 consecutive years to claim benefits against an ex-spouse.
I married for 20 years then divorced is been 10 years I never remarried. I just find out he passed last year at age 66.5 years , all the kids is grow up and his parents passed too. now I’m 59.7 years still want to work till 67 years. I has proved of divorced and married but not his death certificate. I know he never claim his SS. Do I receive full 100% of his SS ? and without disturbing my SS in the future because I still working. If next year 2022 SS increase 5.6% more. Did the benefit will increase on my account? Did SS office open to apply in person now? I know I can’t apply online or by phone. To contact SS either way have to Sacrifice my day. Sometimes just for one question is take forever. Your knowledge to share and spend time to the audience is very helpful, thank you so much.
Its sounds like you would qualify for a Survivor's Benefit in a few months. You wouldn't get full benefits at 60 since you are taking it early. You could still work and claim, but would be subject to the Earnings Test. You could take a Survivor Benefit at 60 and switch to your own later or take your own at 62 and switch to Survivor Benefit later. There are too many options available to you to suggest the correct course of action. Contact us if you want a Social Security Maximization Report for your situation. www.dolphinfinancialgroup.com/social-security-maximization-florida.php
I’d love to get your report on all this sent if it’s indeed worth applying for survivor benefits. I’m pretty sure my ex who passed away 2 years ago achieved the 10 year work quota as my son who was at the time 18 received benefits until he turned 19. I’d love to find out how this may benefit me. I worked for all the years and she did odd jobs over the years as she had little interest in working, but there may be something I could get? We were married for 28 years, divorced in 2017, she died in 2019. I had no idea I could get something for her! I’m still only 57, and was thinking about getting married but it sounds like it’s perhaps wiser to wait till I’m 60.
There is a possibility you could claim a Survivor Benefit. However, unless disabled, you would have to wait to age 60 to claim that benefit. If you got remarried before age 60 you would no longer qualify for Survivor Benefits.
For the Social Security Report, head here and contact us: www.dolphinfinancialgroup.com/social-security-maximization-florida.php
@@Dolphinfinancialgroupfl I will be retiring drawing from survivor's benefits January 1st 2022 when I turned 65. I will move from full to part time then. Plan not to over the earnings limit of $19,600. Will I be penalized on my survivors if I work part time.
Not to be rude but it drove me nuts how ya talk over each other!!! I lose train of thought
Wait until you a4 66 to marry. If you get married before that you lose your survivors benefits. I know since I collect them
How can I get in touch with you? Please I have a few questions
www.dolphinfinancialgroup.com/contact-us.php
Hello, I appreciate some guidance:my husband passed away in 2015. I'm 42 years old. May I claim for SSA benefits?
A 42 year old is too young for Survivor Benefits unless caring for the deceased’s child who is under age 16 or has a disability and receiving child’s benefits. Here is a place with more detail: www.ssa.gov/benefits/survivors/ifyou.html#
Married for 25 years divorced in 2016. I’m on SSDI was on it for one year. However can I drawl from the ex when I turn 61 years old and 3 months? He will be 56 yrs old. He is been remarried since 2017
If your ex-spouse is currently entitled to Social Security benefits you may be able to qualify for benefits based on him...assuming your own benefit is lower.
Do you know anything about an additional benefit for widows of servicemen? My father-in-law passed away last year and it's been a struggle for my mother-in-law. We're helping her as much as we can, but I vaguely remember that when my grandfather died, my grandmother qualified for a small additional benefit because he had served during WWII. I have no idea where to even start searching for this info
You may want to start here: www.va.gov/family-member-benefits/
My husband served 25 years active duty Army and was in 2 wars and I got nothing for that
@@sharoninky I would call the VA I think you maybe talked to the wrong person. Double check. Ask for supervisor. Best wishes
My spouse passed away what a joke i work full time lost 3000 in income and found out i can't collect because i make to much i can't live on just my income
Why if both people worked and are married at the time of the death. Why can't you collect your ss and the spouses. It has to be one or the other. So what happens to the other ones benefit. That's why SS being taken out should be an option.
My husband passed can I get married and still received his Social Security at the age of 66
You may want to switch to benefits based on your new spouse. However, if you remarry after age 60 (age 50 if you have a disability), you will continue to qualify for benefits on your deceased spouse's Social Security record. www.ssa.gov/benefits/survivors/ifyou.html
Iam married but iam separation from my husband for 33 years can I get spouse survivor benefits
If you can prove a legal marriage of 10 or more years, then you should be entitled to Survivor Benefits if your spouse dies. You'll have to connect with SSA and provide them the marriage details.
I am widowed my beneficiary in form is my daughter will she encounter a problem when I passed?
Survivor benefits are for spouses or disabled children. www.ssa.gov/benefits/survivors/ifyou.html
I have a question can you claim Social Security benefits for your spouse if you didn’t get married
This is how the SSA defines a spouse: www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/handbook/handbook.03/handbook-0306.html
I am on SSDI and I’m 64. I was married for 24 years and we divorced last year. I’m receiving 1,800 on SSDI on my own record. He died at 69 but had just started receiving ssi at his full retirement age of 3,600. Will I receive all of his but at a reduced percentage for only being 64. I figure I’ll get around 90% of 3,600. Does that sound right?
That sounds roughly correct, maybe less than 90% depending on your actual age. You'd get 100% of the Survivor Benefit if you wait until your full retirement age.
Hi,
I just started receiving surviors benefits from my exs record. I was already on disability. I'm on the west coast and he was on the east coast. Social security has just told me my backpay could take 1 to years. Does that sound correct?
This could be accurate depending on your situation. Here is an article with more insight into back pay: www.aarp.org/retirement/social-security/questions-answers/disability-back-pay.html
You are not mentioning the 7 years surviving disabled spouse rule ...7 years from last intitlement to parent caring for child payment say spouse died when child was 3 and you get parents benefit untill they turn 16 you have 7 years from that date not 7 years from when spouse died
There certainly are separate rules for disability benefits and for disabled survivors. This podcast was focused on standard Social Security. We have been planning to do a show on disability benefits scenarios.
What if your spouse dies young and you have children. And the child turns 18, but you continue working, but now your approaching 60 , can I claim his social security and wait to collect mine.
You may be eligible to claim a Survivor Benefit at 60 and switch to your own later. You may also want to claim your own at 62 and switch to the Survivor Benefit later. You should run a maximization report to compare your options: www.dolphinfinancialgroup.com/social-security-maximization-florida.php
I am confused about one part. If I was married over 10 years and I’m 60 if my exact passes, I Don’t receive full amount unless I’m 67?
Correct. Taking SS at 60 results in a major reduction. Either Survivor or your own benefit.
Hi. Thank you for you YT channel. I'd like to ask a question if I may....I have been doing a lot of research for a friend in Indonesia whose husband worked for an American company and has since passed in Jan 2023. A long story short, but, a family friend of hers found out that the FBU in Manila handles 40 countires in Asia. A forrm was completed in November 2023, but to date only one phone call back from Manila and she has no idea when and how long they will take to before she will receive her benefit! To make things worse, she has no job and two daughters 15 and 21. What basically I am asking on her behalf is how can she move forward quickly to resovle this? Thank you in advance.
The SSA added staff recently to try to eliminate backlogs. Your friend needs to be persistent and/or patient. She should call to make sure the SSA has all the information needed. Good luck.
My husband died in 1994 I did get survivor benefits when my children were school age at 60 can I apply for his benefits because Im still working.
If you haven't remarried, it seems you would qualify to receive Survivor Benefits at 60. However, if you are still working, you will want to consider the earnings test: ruclips.net/video/S1rwtuFw2xo/видео.html
@@Dolphinfinancialgroupfl Thank u and yes still working
I’ve always figured the $255 is a small payoff for letting them know that they can quit paying. It’s not to help anyone, just signaling that they can save money by stopping payments.😅
Interesting idea. The $255 was enough back in the 1940s, but it wasn't pegged to inflation. ruclips.net/video/OypU6zN2xfA/видео.htmlsi=wdH7LlmGRsklSA-i
@@Dolphinfinancialgroupfl that’s what I was told anyway, somebody gets paid for signaling that you died. One of the funeral homes here was doing that and “ forgetting” to tell the customers, they would give it to them if they called them on it otherwise they would keep it.
Ok my husband died at the age of 66 years old. And I became disabled at 50 years old. He worked from age 16th til he was 62. I worked in the health care field 15--20. We both work. How come my check was lil bigger than his. I don't understand. I feel that they didn't add that right. And why they want give us a percentage of your spouses benefits?
Each person's Social Security record is based on their top 35 years of work history. It all depends on how much was put into the system over those 35 years. Everyone's amounts are different.
@@Dolphinfinancialgroupfl right. He always made more than me. My husband was 18 years old then me. . Thank for your comment
I want to take my ss at around 64 because it’s the lower amount , work part time but make 35.60 over . Does buying healthcare deduct from the gross income becauseI am real sure it will be more then 35.60 .
thanks so much
Please rephrase your question. What does 35.60 mean?
That lump sum is the same as when it first came out in the 50s.
We did a show on the lump sum SS death benefit: ruclips.net/video/OypU6zN2xfA/видео.htmlsi=Dc8VDFbJ0XCGB022
both my parents have passed can i receive survivor benefits my mom recently passed in 2020 and I beleive she only when she was young before she got married
Survivor Benefits are for spouses, children under 18, or children disabled before age 22. www.ssa.gov/benefits/survivors/ifyou.html
Thanks
You are welcome!
I'm a survivor of my ex-husband social security told me I could apply at 60 and I did but they told me he was getting 1600.00 a month in order for me to get it they will have to reduce to 1177.00 a month for me. I been taking this amount for 7 months now but I just saw this podcast were you said I could have gotten 💯 percent!?? I'm not quite sure what to do about this...
You would have to wait until your Full Retirement Age to get 100%. You may want to switch to your own benefit in the future as well.
If you were married for 10 years and now divorced and you decide to get spousal benefits, and he’s receiving benefits, does that reduce the amount of benefits that he receives?
Your spousal benefits do not impact his. He doesn't even need to know you are claiming against his benefit..
It’s my understanding you can collect both ( yours and their ‘s ( having worked your whole life, then even if divorced .. married over 10 years and even over 20 years they die and the amount is larger.. not remarried or divorced .. can collect both?
You can not collect both. Only the higher of the two amounts.
@@Dolphinfinancialgroupfl why does it say this on SSA site?:
Jennie is a 62-year-old widow. She is eligible for retirement benefits based on her work history, and she is also eligible for survivor benefits based on her deceased husband’s record.
Why does it say that if it’s not true?
@@susandesjardins4441 In this scenario, someone may be eligible for SS based on two different work histories, but they are only allowed to choose one. In some cases you can switch between different benefits as well to maximize, but you can only claim one benefit at a time.
Susan: It is a yes and a no. What Social Security told me in person is that the TOTAL amount is either the worker's benefit or the ex spouse's benefit. But if one is not doing complicated financial planning for which additional forms are required, actually the claimant at times draws from both accounts.
For example, if the ex-wife has $1000/mo in her disability account and the ex-husband has $3000/mo in his account, FOR INTERNAL ACCOUNTING, Social Security draws $1000 from her record and $500 from his record to make the $1500 if he has retired, and she is on disability. Whether SS draws from both to make up the total survivor benefits, I never asked them.
There are methods of turning that default off.
@@Dolphinfinancialgroupfl Not what Social Security told me in person about ten miles from Washington, D.C.
When fancy financial planning is NOT involved, a disabled person draws on his or her own account first for internal, Social Security accounting purposes only.
Then WHEN the disabled person requests ex-spousal benefits be turned on, additional funds are drawn and recorded from the ex-spouse's account. The ex-spouse's benefits top off, but the actual funds are drawn partially from both accounts --but only for internal Social Security bookkeeping.
In the example of the ex-wife's account producing a $1000/mo disability benefit and the ex- husband having $3000/month retirement benefit, the ex-wife's account would be debited $1000, and the ex-husband's account would be debited $500.
Her $1000 is NOT added to his $1500 to produce $2500/mo in disability to her.
Most people cannot grasp the subtle difference. All they want to know is the top dollar.
Mostly, the only things influenced are the publicly announced annual, total expenses of the survivor, disability, and retirement pay outs.
Also, Social Security explicitly told me ALL disability payments on a person's own record are switched over to retirement at 62.
Nobody ever discusses whether the lower earning spouse's surviver benefit is incrementally reduced by how many months short of full retirement they turn on the 50% of spousal benefits.
Most say that the spousal survival benefit is automatically 100% of the higher earner's benefit.
Yet you claim an ex-spouse of 62 would get 71%.
That does nothing to explain to anybody who was on disability from 65, for example, who gets no survivor benefits until 80 what in heck they can budget for.
The guesstimate looks like 1% reduction per month.