Q & A
COLA was 0% in 2009 and 2010? I thought it was 2010 and 2011?
Complete Question: The other day you answered someone’s question about whether or not COLA can be 0%. In your answer, you mentioned that COLA was recently 0% in 2009 and 2010. I’m 72 and have been on Social Security for…
Is it possible for COLA to be 0% or even a negative amount?
Complete Question: The government says COLA is based on the increase in costs of consumer goods and services. But it seems so low. Is it ever possible for the COLA to be 0%? Or even worse, could Social Security ever claim…
I don’t want to file for Social Security when I’m 65…what happens with my Medicare?
Complete Question: As far as I know, I’m entitled to Medicare because I’m entitled to Social Security. I’ve always been told they go hand-in-hand – if you get Social Security, you get Medicare. I’ll be 65 in a few months and…
My WEP reduction is so much…should I just take spousal benefits instead?
Complete Question: I was a government employee for most of my career, but I also paid into Social Security. As you probably know, this means that I am affected by WEP, which reduces my Social Security benefits. I don’t agree…
My wife and I are ready to consider filing for Social Security. Where do we begin?
Complete Question: My wife and I are getting to the point where we want to look into filing for Social Security. We have a lot of questions about how and when we should file. We are hearing so many different…
Can I get ex-spouse benefits instead of my own Social Security benefits?
Complete Question: I am 64 years old. I originally wanted to wait until 66 to get Social Security so that I could get the full amount, but it’s been difficult waiting and paying the bills, so I figured I will…
Will my ex-spouse benefits be lower because of my ex-husband’s child?
Complete Question: I talked to the Social Security office about my choices for filing for Social Security benefits and was told that I can get ex-spouse benefits and hold off on getting my own benefits. But my ex-husband is remarried and…
Why can’t I get on my mySocialSecurity account? Is the website always down?
Complete Question: I keep hearing that the best way to “do business” with Social Security is to do it online and you should first create a mySocialSecurity account. Great! I’m fine with that because I work 2nd shift and it’s…
Should I file for my own benefits or spousal benefits?
Complete Question: My husband and I are both 64 years old. We are currently working, but not at the same income level we used to so we thought it would be beneficial for one of us to start taking a…
Can I get increased benefits for filing at age 71?
Complete Question: My parents told me that they waited until they were 70 years old to file for Social Security so that they could increase their benefit amount. From what I hear, 70 is the maximum age to do this.…