I am going to be 62 in June of 2013. I want to apply for S.S. and want to know any suggestions on tips to cut back on cable, filing out forms, places I can get help with prescriptions, and help with rent. Any tips on any subjects will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
By Debbie
Have you looked into income based apartments? Contact your city/county offices and they should be able to provide a list for you. Most states also offer a voucher program for scattered house options in the community. To lower your TV bill, you would need to ask your provider what packages they offer, and probably just lower the number of extras you now pay for.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I am married and living with my husband. We are not sick or anything. My husband is not a US citizen, but is a resident. He doesn't have any taxes paid here in the US. If we were to divorce, or he passed, will I be able to collect anything? I am a citizen. We have been married for almost 11 years. Just asking. Thank you.
By Sonia C.
In order to get the correct answer, you will have to call your local Social Security Office and talk to them.
I agree with Redhatterb, but I also know from personal experience... You will not collect anything from his death from Social Security if he hasn't paid anything into the program. Sorry to give you such bad news - why don't you go ahead and call Social Security's 800# to find out for yourself; I do believe that I am correct in giving you that for an answer, that you would not collect anything for his death or his children if you have any together, because he hasn't paid anything into the program itself.
I am sorry but I cannot help but wonder why anyone would expect to be paid out of a fund they have never contributed to? I think many people reading your post would wonder how many years have you and your husband lived in the US and paid no taxes?
How have you been living? I do not know but perhaps you have been receiving your "benefits" all along without contributing very much?
You say your husband is a "resident" and I do not know exactly what that means but you say you are not sick so why is he not working and paying taxes?
These are personal opinions and I am sorry if anyone thinks I am being too "nosy" or inconsiderate, but I worked from the age of 8 until I retired. I feel that it is everyone's responsibility to contribute toward their own support.
You certainly have the option of working and paying into SS yourself. Then you would be able to collect SS. You will need to work several years to be eligible.
My mother is retiring from work next year January and she will be 65 years old also in January. My dad has been on disability for a couple of years now, however my mother and father have been divorced for well over thirty years. Can my mother collect any benefits from my father? They were married over 10 years and years ago? Thank you.
By Sonia C.
Years ago, the divorced wife could collect benefits from her ex husband if they were married more than 10 years before the divorce. She would receive which ever amount was greater: her own SS or his, not both. My mother and I discovered that she would get more from her own.
I believe so. The rule Jean described still stands.
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I'm 63 and working full-time. When should I start collecting my Social Security?
