The Benefits Blog

Had a quick question I was hoping you could help me with. A client of mine unexpectedly passed away in the middle of January. I just spoke with her husband who claims he didn’t receive her SS check for the month of January. This seemed a bit odd to me as she only just passed in the middle of January...

I just wanted to get your take on the potential tax impact on the COLA increase related to people being taxed more and how that could we impact distributions from their investment portfolios etc. question can you give me some commentary on the impacts of this change? 50% versus 85%.

The annual Cost...

I have an individual who turned 65 in January and was trying to sign up for Medicare Part A. He has 38 credits but realized his 1986 earnings are not presented on the statement from the SSA. He cannot locate his records – W2, tax return, etc. Do you know how to correct a statement that is that old? ...

What is the processing time with SSA on SSA 44 right now?

The processing time for SSA-44 forms, which are handled by local Social Security offices, can vary significantly depending on the office and the individual handling your request. Some offices may process these forms more quickly than others....

Quick question on the spousal boost.  Let’s say wife has a PIA of $1,000 and husband has a PIA of $3,000. Both are same age — wife starts at 62 and husband starts at FRA. My understanding is that when the husband turns on his SSB, the spousal boost happens automatically, but I recently saw that that...

I have an individual that will turn 66 on February 13.  She will reach FRA in August.  If she starts taking SS in August or September, will her benefits be reduced, since she will start in the month of or later of reaching FRA?  I am reading some conflicting reports relating to whether her benefit w...

Can you clarify for me. 65 female is drawing survivor benefit from her deceased husband. She remarried after age 60 to a man that has non covered pension and when he retired he included survivor benefit for her on his pension. Will GPO apply to her current survivor benefit from deceased husband or h...

If a client starts the SS widow benefit before her FRA and continues to work, is the benefit reduced for earnings over the limit?

Yes, if a client begins receiving Social Security widow benefits before reaching her Full Retirement Age (FRA) and continues to work, her benefits are indeed subject to ...

What is the updated figure to earn a SS credit in 2024? 

I have a client who is going to be 65 in Jan. She’s divorced and no longer speaks to her ex. He’s an immigrant, but has worked long enough to get SS and is a little older.  He is already receiving his benefit. Let’s say his benefit is $1,000 per month and she’s entitled to 50%.  If she claims off ex...