Social Security

Beware of SSA impersonators

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SSA impersonatorsSocial Security Scam Targets Retirees

CPA Practice Advisor, July 20, 2017

“The Acting Inspector General of Social Security, Gale Stallworth Stone, is warning citizens about a new Social Security Administration (SSA) employee impersonation scheme.
SSA and its Office of the Inspector General (OIG) have recently alerted citizens about an OIG employee impersonation scheme and a scheme targeting former clients of Kentucky disability attorney Eric Conn; the agencies are now receiving reports from citizens across the country about other phone calls from an individual posing as an SSA employee.  The caller attempts to acquire personally identifiable information from victims to then edit the victims’ direct deposit, address, and telephone information with SSA.”

 

Social Security for exes

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Social Security for Exes
Social Security Admin. Poster, 1956

Social Security’s Legacy to Ex-Wives, Kids

By Kim Blanton, SquaredAwayBlog.bc.edu

June 13, 2017

“Many women are fuzzy on how Social Security benefits for widows work and even more unclear about the program’s spousal benefits.

I know two of these women. Their situations nicely illustrate how this federal program promotes the well-being of older women and families.

One is my divorced aunt. She was surprised to learn, after my uncle died a few years ago, that her widow’s – or survivor’s – benefit, based on his decades of work as a housing developer, would be double the spousal benefit she’d received while he was alive. Divorced spouses are eligible for the same spousal and survivor’s benefits as still-married spouses, though only if the marriage lasted more than 10 years.”

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Social Security Advice

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Social Security Advice
aarp.com

Always Verify Advice on Social Security

by Laurence Kotlikoff, Seattle Times 

March 4, 2017

“Investing

Q: I am now retiring and dealing with Social Security at age 66 after being married 18 years, divorced six years, and still single.

When I attempted to file and suspend, and then file for a restricted benefit based on my ex’s income (so I can delay until age 70 filing for my own maximum benefits), the local Social Security office told me I cannot file on my ex unless she has already filed for benefits. She is now 65 and does not want to file, but my understanding is it does not matter if she files or not. Am I correct? If so, how do I convince the local office?

A: My estimate is that half of Social Security’s answers to questions are either fully or partially wrong. And if they aren’t wrong, they are misleading.”

Questions: kotlikoff@economicsecurityplanning.com

Social Security Credits for Moms?

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From the Center for Retirement Research…

Social Security Credits for Moms?

August 4, 2016

“Social Security’s benefits were designed for the typical family when the pension program was enacted in the 1930s….  A spouse, usually the wife, is guaranteed half of her husband’s full retirement age benefit under the program when she reaches her full retirement age – whether she works or not.  When her husband dies, her survivor benefit equals his pension benefit.

Social Security credits

But women who marry and become divorced within 10 years are not eligible for these benefits.  Nor, of course, are single working women, who receive benefits based solely on their own work histories.  Increasing numbers of women reaching retirement age today either were in short-term marriages or never married and won’t receive a spousal or survivor benefit. The problem is that most of these women are mothers.”

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Kiplinger’s Social Security Strategies

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Social Security Strategies if You’re Widowed

“A survivor benefit is worth up to 100% of a deceased spouse’s benefit.

You’re eligible for a survivor benefit based on your deceased spouse’s earnings. You can claim this benefit as early as age 60, or 50 if you’re totally disabled. The amount is based on your late spouse’s benefit when he or she died. If your spouse died before claiming Social Security, the benefit will be based on 100% of the amount due at your late spouse’s full retirement age.”

Read the entire article

Social Security Strategies if You’re DivorcedSocial Security strategies

“Meet certain criteria and you may qualify to claim a benefit off an ex-spouse’s earnings record.

…In order to claim either spousal or survivor benefits, you must have been married for at least 10 years and not be entitled to a higher benefit based on your own record. In addition, you must be at least 62 and unmarried.”

Read the entire article

Social Security Strategies if You’re Single

“There are steps singles can take to boost their benefits.

…Single retirees who never married don’t need to concern themselves with survivor benefits — benefits will end when they do. That gives single beneficiaries a less compelling reason to postpone claiming benefits after full retirement age, says Marc Kiner, co-founder of Premier Social Security Consulting in Sharonville, Ohio.”

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Social Security Strategies for Married Couples

“Spouses can boost their benefits by coordinating the timing of their claims.

Married beneficiaries can claim benefits based on their own earnings record or choose to receive up to 50% of the amount for which their spouse is eligible at full retirement age.”

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All four of these articles are by Sandra Block, from Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, January 2015.