Q Mr. W writes: "I will be 65 in December 2010. Can I start receiving my Social Security checks in February 2011? I know I can earn $37,680 but is there a limit on how each month I can earn? I will be making approximately $4,000 per month or more depending on overtime. I plan to work up to the time I reach the $37,000. I couldn't find the info anywhere online."
A: "If you earn less than $37,680 from January till the month you attain age 66, you can receive checks every month from February through December. The monthly earnings tests only applies if you earn over the $37,680 before your full retirement age and have some months with monthly earnings less than $3,140 which is the monthly earnings limit." For additional information regarding this subject, please access www.socialsecurity.gov and enter "how work affects your benefits" into the search feature, or simply type http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10069.html into the web browser and press enter.
Q Ms. G writes: "I am disabled. I am 44 years old. My husband is 49. He does not have enough credits to receive disability. He is not working and has not in several years with knee problems. Can he draw anything regarding disability from my having worked or is there nothing else he can do regarding this? What are future options for him? Can he ever collect Social Security at age 62 or 65 from my work history as he does have enough credits to quality for retirement benefits but this is a very small amount."
A: Ms. G: We do not have sufficient information to adequately answer your question, so we would like to encourage you to contact us at 866-964-0029 so we are able to provide the assistance you may need.
Q: Ms. Rose from Ohio asks: "I am several years older than my husband, can I draw spousal Social Security from his income? We have been married almost 26 years, I am 63 and he will not turn 50 till September. I have not worked and paid SS benefits or Medicare. What are my options?"
A: Because you are currently married to someone who is not eligible to receive benefits, you will not be eligible for Social Security benefits from his record until he becomes entitled to benefits. Also, if you have not worked and paid into Social Security on your own record you will not be eligible to receive benefits on your own record. However, if you have a disabling condition keeping you from working, you may be eligible for disability benefits under the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. SSI makes monthly payments to people who have low income and few resources and are: age 65 or older, blind, or disabled. For more information regarding the SSI program, please visit our website at www.socialsecurity.gov.
Get answers to your Social Security questions each Thursday from the Social Security District Director Martin Coffey. Submit questions by writing to Business Editor John Vass Jr., Chattanooga Times Free Press, P.O. Box 1447, Chattanooga, TN 37401-1447, or by e-mailing him at jvass@timesfreepress.com.