Q & A
I heard that my disability must be expected to last a year to qualify for Social Security disability benefits. Does this mean I have to wait until I’ve been disabled an entire year before applying?
Answer: No. If you believe your disability will last a year or longer, apply for disability benefits as soon as you become disabled. It can take three to four months to process an application. If your application is approved, we will…
What’s an appropriate investment mix for a retirement portfolio?
Full question: I have heard that a proper retirement portfolio includes benefits from pensions, savings and investments, and Social Security benefits. How can I find out what I need in each of these areas in order to be prepared for my…
How does a second career in teaching affect my Social Security?
Full Question: I am 58 years old. I have worked all my life (almost 40 years) at a fairly high-paying job. I recently retired. I’m thinking of taking a teaching job for the next 5 years or so. But here is…
Should a Wife Work to Get Her Own Social Security?
Full Question: I am 60 years old. I have a 45-year-old wife who has never worked during the 20 years that we have been married. She did work for a while before our marriage, and has 10 Social Security credits. Is…
I am CSRS with 33 years of service at age 52. I am considering a Voluntary Early Retirement Authority offer and understand the annuity is reduced 2 percent for each year under age 55. Is this a one-time annuity reduction at time of retirement, or is the reduction computed every year against the inflation-adjusted annuity?
Answer: It’s a one-time permanent reduction. Source: Reg Jones, FederalTimes.com – February 16, 2014 Notice: The “Read more…” link provided above connects readers to the full text of the posted article. The URL (internet address) for this link is valid on…
I am planning my retirement. Once I retire, do I have to pick up the full amount for my health insurance, or does the government still contribute toward the premium?
Answer: Unless you are a Postal Service retiree, you pay will pay the same premiums you did when you were an employee. When Postal Service employees retire, they lose the subsidy they enjoyed through union negotiations. As a result, they will…
Will the Social Security office recalculate the amount I am getting monthly from Social Security?
Full Question: Will the Social Security office recalculate the amount I am getting monthly from Social Security? I worked 10 years and earned 40 quarters to qualify for Social Security after I retired under CSRS. I feel that I should be getting…
Balancing multiple retirement planning – Military Pension, Disability, and Civil Service
Full Question: I am retired with an active-duty Air Force retirement and a Veterans Affairs Department disability rating of 90 percent. I am also subsequently going to retire from FERS civil service in a few years. Can I collect a VA…
What’s the taxability of Social Security after marriage?
Full Question: I’m a 71-year-old widower and plan on marrying a 70-year-old widow. Her only income is her Social Security. I collect Social Security plus an IRA, from which I take a lump-sum distribution annually of $40,000. I can adjust this…
Can a spouse apply for just spousal benefits?
Full question: I am 60 and collecting $2,400 in Social Security disability. My husband is nine months older than I am and retired. I was the higher wage earner. We estimate his Social Security payments, based on his earnings, to be…