I really get upset when readers tell me that they talked to a Social Security Administration employee hoping to get an understanding of some confusing Social Security rule and the only reply they got was this: “It’s the law.” In…
only reply they got was this: “It’s the law.” In my opinion, that’s a bad answer. People should be given a reason why a particular Social Security law exists in the first place.
No. 1: Why doesn’t a wife share in the bonus her husband earns for starting his benefits after full retirement age? I really don’t know. Also, a note of clarification. I referred to a husband getting retirement benefits and a wife getting spousal benefits on his record. I did that because 95% of the time, that’s the way these rules play out. And that’s because, for a variety of reasons discussed many times in this column, the husband has a higher Social Security benefit than the wife.
Let’s give an example of how this plays out. Bob has a heart attack on March 15. He files for Social Security disability in April, and on June 25, his claim is approved. He gets an “award letter” telling him that he became disabled for Social Security purposes on March 15. The letter also tells him that he will get his first Social Security check after five full calendar months have elapsed. So, the first disability check he is due will be for the month of September, payable in October.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Manchin calls for compromise on Social Security, Medicare as other Democrats go on attackWest Virginia Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin says Democrats and Republicans need to work together to reign in Social Security and Medicare spending.
Read more »
Hawley shoots down GOP talk of using debt limit as leverage on Social Security, MedicareSen. Josh Hawley of Missouri rejected an idea to use debt limit as leverage for Social Security and Medicare negotiations, calling it 'dumb.'
Read more »
Progressives Should Support the GOP’s Social Security Reform EffortsOPINION | Democrats are resorting to pre-election scare-mongering, but Republicans aren’t trying to gut Social Security, they’re trying to save it.
Read more »