SOCIAL SECURITY (4 QUESTIONS) Flashcards
When can a spouse received social security benefits from their spouse?
They have to be married for 1 year in order receive spouse’s social security benefit
What is the exception to the 1 year rule requiring a spouse to be marriage for 1 year in order to receive their spouse’s social security benefit?
If they have a child together the 1 year rule doesn’t apply
How long must a divorce spouse have been married in order to receive social security benefits upon divorce?
10 years
If I am receiving retirement or disability benefits, when is my spouse eligible to receive benefits?
(1) at least 62 OR
(2) any age if they are caring for a child who is under age 16 or who has a disability that began before age 22.
Can you collect your own retirement benefits and your spouse’s benefits?
Yes - you can collect both. The social security administration will always pay you your own benefits first and if your benefit amount as a spouse is higher than your own, you will get a combination of the 2 benefits that equal the higher amount
What happens if you to your social security benefits if you also get a retirement or disability pension based upon your own federal, state or local government work not covered by SS?
The social security administration will reduce spouse’s or surviving spouse’s benefits by 2/3 the amount of the government pension.
In order for a divorced spouse who was married for 10 years to receive their former spouse’s benefits, what must take place
Working spouse must be at least 62
Can a former spouse of 10 years receive working spouse’s benefits if they are age 62 but not yet retired?
Only if the divorce has been final for 2 years unless the working spouse has started receiving benefits
Are children entitled to social security retirement or disability benefits?
When a parent receives Social Security retirement or disability benefits, or dies, their child may also receive benefits. Under certain circumstances, a stepchild, adopted child, or dependent grandchild or step-grandchild also may qualify.
What is required in order for a child to receive social security retirement or disability benefits?
To receive benefits, the child must be unmarried and:
(1) Younger than age 18, or
(2) Between ages 18 and 19 and a full-time student at an elementary or secondary school (grade 12 or below); or
(3) Age 18 or older with a disability that began before age 22.
Is there a limit to the monthly benefit that the social security administration will pay to your family?
YES -there is a limit to the monthly benefit amount SSA will pay your family.
The total depends on your benefit amount and the number of family members who also qualify on your record.
The total varies, but generally, the total amount you and your family can get is about 150 to 180 percent of your full retirement benefit. ***The benefit payment made to a divorced spouse does NOT affect the benefits payable to you or your family.
Who can be eligible for survivor benefits based on a deceased worker’s earnings?
A surviving spouse, surviving divorced spouse, unmarried child, or dependent parent may be eligible for monthly survivor benefits based on the deceased worker’s earnings
Can can happen in addition to a survivor being entitled to a deceased worker’s earnings?
In addition, a one-time lump sum death payment of $255 can be made to a qualifying spouse or child if they meet certain requirements.
In order to receive the additional one time lump sum death payment of $255, what must be done?
Survivors must apply for this payment within two years of the date of the number holder’s death.
When can a parent receive benefits from their son or daughter?
An older person who receives at least half of his/her support from a son or daughter who has died may receive parent’s benefits derived from that son/daughter’s Social Security account.
When do disability benefits stop?
Disability benefits stop when recipient attains “full retirement age.
How young can a recipient of disability benefits be?
Benefits are payable to disabled workers as young as 21 years old
What is necessary to qualify for disability benefits?
To qualify, one must be unable to perform “any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment.
What is the presumption of a disability?
There is a presumption that earning an average of less than an annually adjusted amount indicates an inability to perform any substantial gainful activity.
How often is a person’s status as disabled reviewed?
The person status as disabled is reviewed periodically until reaching full retirement age.
Are disability benefits reduced based on age?
NO. A Person can receive benefits equal to his/her PIA, so a person who I 62 and disabled should apply since disability benefits generally are not reduced on account of age, unlike retirement benefits. If person received disability benefits for 24 consecutive months then person is automatically enrolled in Medicate regardless of person’s age. Derivative benefits are payble to the spouse, divorced spouse, children and grandchildren of the disabled person.
Can your supplemental security income payments change upon remarriage?
YES - your SSI payment amount may change as a result of your new spouse’s income and resources. If you and your spouse both get SSI, your payment amount will change from an individual rate to a couple’s rate.
What happens to benefits for a widow/widower or divorced widow/widower remarries before age 50?
- If you remarry before age 50 — you won’t be entitled to survivor’s or disability benefits unless you divorce.
- If you remarry between the ages of 50 and 59 — you can’t get benefits. Note: If you remarry before you turn 60 and that marriage ends, you may become entitled or re-entitled to benefits on your prior deceased spouse’s earnings record. Your benefits begin the first month in which the subsequent marriage ended if all entitlement requirements are met.
- If you remarry after age 60 — you may still become entitled to benefits on your prior deceased spouse’s Social Security earnings record.
What happens in general to a divorced spouse’s benefits upon remarriage?
Generally, if you remarry, benefits paid to you from your prior spouse’s account stop.
