Q & A
My husband and I are not divorced but have lived apart for many years. Can I still receive Social Security through his record?
Answer: Living together is not required for Social Security spousal benefits as a wife or husband. Your individual SSA retirement amounts might prevent spousal benefits but living apart while married will not. In addition, having lived apart will not prevent either of…
How do I report disability fraud?
Answer: You can report disability fraud to the Social Security Administration (SSA) Office of Inspector General Hotline at: 1-800-269-0271 or http://oig.ssa.gov/report-fraud-waste-or-abuse/fraud-waste-and-abuse. Source: HHS.gov – 9/19/2014 Notice: The “Read more…” link provided above connects readers to the full content of the posted article and/or…
What are the rules on Tri Care for Life vs. Medicare?
Full question: My fiancé, an Army retiree, recently turned 65 and went to the Social Security office to sign up for Medicare. He was told he did not need Part B because he was eligible for Tricare for Life. I have a…
How can I protect myself in a security breach involving Social Security numbers?
Answer: In the past few weeks, computer-savvy thieves have been out in force, picking through personal information left behind at doctors offices, stores, and government offices, stealing everything from Social Security numbers to credit and debit card numbers. What can you do…
I understand that to get Social Security disability benefits, my disability must be expected to last at least a year. Will I have to wait a year to receive benefits?
Answer: No. You do not have to wait a year after becoming disabled to receive disability benefits. In fact, you should apply for disability benefit as soon as you become disabled. It may take months before a final decision is made…
Will Private Policy Reduce Disability Benefit?
Full question: I’m thinking about getting disability protection from a private company. If I become disabled and have a private policy, would it reduce my Social Security disability benefit? Answer: No. Having private insurance does not affect your eligibility for Social Security…
My grandfather, who is receiving Supplemental Security Income, will be coming to live with me. Does he have to report the move to Social Security?
Answer: Yes. An SSI beneficiary must report any change in living arrangements before the 10th day of the following month. If you do not report the change, your grandfather could receive an incorrect payment and have to pay it back, or…
How can a divorced wife get benefits on the husband’s record before the current wife?
Full question: have been a stay-at-home mom all my life. I am 63, and my husband is 62. We have been married for 20 years. He doesn’t plan to take his Social Security until he is 66. But I’d like to…
What are the Social Security award rules on re-marrying the same spouse?
Full question: I was married to my husband from March 2001 until April 2009. Then we divorced. I then married the same man in November 2010 and divorced him a second time in January 2014. So we were married more than…
How are Social Security spousal benefits allocated in a divorce situation
Full question: I was married to my husband for 35 years before he divorced me and married a much newer and better-equipped model (if you get my drift). They have even had a child together! I’m 62 and my ex is…