When the Payment Date Is A Sunday

Ramon from California writes:

I receive my check on the 3rd of the month, which falls on Sunday. Will it be delivered on Saturday or Monday?

ANSWER: When the payment date is on a Saturday, Sunday, or a legal Federal holiday, the check will be dated for the first day before that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal Federal holiday. So this year the checks will be paid on Friday, April 1. Let's see if there's any April Fool's jokes in the envelope.

Widow's Benefit On Top Of Disability Benefit

Suzanne from Florida writes:
I only have one question - I am 58 years old and am on social security disability. My husband is 78 years old and gets regular social security. If he dies (heaven forbid) do I get any of his benefits as a survivor on top of my disability payments????

ANSWER: Yes Suzanne, you would be eligible for a widow's benefit even though you are under age 60 because you are disabled. Disabled widows are eligible as young as age 50 if totally disabled. The benefit would be reduced for age as if you were age 60. The difference between your disability benefit and the widow's benefit would be added to your disability amount, so although you would be receiving two benefits, the total would be no higher than the widow's benefit amount alone. Of course, if your own disability benefit is higher you would continue to receive that. You could also defer receiving the widow's benefit to full retirement age to get an unreduced benefit then if it is higher.  But let's hope you don't need to consider these things for a long, long time!

Disability Benefits at 62 Years Young

Mark from Hawaii writes:

In February I became 62 but I have been disabled from work since 52 years old. Do I get an increase in my pay for being 62 years young?
Mahalo and thank you.

ANSWER: Sorry Mark, no. The disability benefit amount is already figured as if you were at Full Retirement Age when it was awarded. At Full Retirement Age (age 66 for you) the disability benefit will be converted to a retirement benefit, but the amount stays the same.

Child Under 18 Paid All Year

Kathy from Ohio writes:

For a child under 18 and in school, on Social Security benefits, are the benefits paid all year long or only when the child is in school--nine months?

ANSWER: Yes they are paid all year long. When the child turns 18, if he or she is in secondary school, benefits continue till graduation. If the child takes secondary school level courses after graduation, benefits can continue up to age 19 if the child is in full time attendance, and even a couple of months after 19 depending on the school program.  The benefits are paid during vacation months, unless the child turn 19 in non-attendance month, at which time they stop.

Delayed Retirement Credits Not For Wife Or Child

Bill from Missouri writes:

Thank you for making your book "Social Security Benefits Handbook" available on the internet. It is the clearest and most helpful resource I have found. I have a question.
I am 61 years old. When I file for Social Security benefits sometime between age 62 and 70 my wife and disabled child will become eligible for payments equal to 1/2 of my monthly benefit. If I then exercise my option to either suspend my payments, or invest them and return them to the Social Security Administration at age 70, thus making my payment go up by 32%, will my wife's and my child's payments also go up by 32%, or will their payment amounts always be based on my benefit back at the time I originally applied?
Thank you for your help.

ANSWER: Thank you for your very kind compliment. I wish I could have better news for you, but no, the Delayed Retirement Credits are not applied to your wife's or child's benefits. The amount of your increased retirement benefit however will be used to figure a widow's benefit if you should predecease your wife. And by the way, if you take benefits before 70 and then withdraw the application and pay them back to get the 32% increase, you would also have to pay back the wife and child benefits paid on your account, which makes that a less desirable option.

Husband's Earnings Don't Count Against Wife's Own Benefits

Wayne from Minnesota writes:

I am writing after reading your book SS Answer Book. I am 61 and will continue to work for 3-4 more years. My wife is 61 and "retired" last year. We file our taxes jointly. Can she file for SS benefits at 62 regardless if I am still working full-time and our "joint" income exceeds the limit for SS? She will not have any W-2 income, just income from her investments.
Thank you

ANSWER: Good question Wayne, but not to worry, if she is filing on her own earnings record. She can collect her own benefits without your earnings having any effect. It is only if she collects a spouse's benefit on your account that your earnings may be considered for withholding of benefits. Of course, her SS benefits may be subject to taxation by IRS.

Changing to Widow"s Benefit

Gail from Indiana writes:

My father-in-law passed away two weeks ago. What do we need to do to change the social security status to widow for my mother-in-law?

ANSWER: Sorry to hear of your family's loss. If your mother-in-law was receiving spouse benefits on your father-in-law's account, it is a simple matter. Simply call SS toll free at 1-800-772-1213. They may have already been informed by the funeral home. Otherwise, they may need a certified copy of the death certificate. If you need to visit your local SS office, here is a link for the online office locator. https://secure.ssa.gov/apps6z/FOLO/fo001.jsp If your mother-in-law has a benefit on her own account as well as as a spouse, and if she is under Full Retirement Age (FRA), she may consider deferring the widow's benefit until FRA to maximize the monthly amount. In thatb case she should go to the SS office to discuss her options.