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Hernando Today

Answers To Social Security Questions

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By ADON TAFT, Life to the Fullest

Hernando Today

Published: September 29, 2008

QUESTION: My plan is to retire at age 62 but my wife is going to continue to work until she is 66.
Since I have a 10-year-old son, my question is: When I retire, will my son be able to draw anything from Social Security now or can he only draw from Social Security after my death, if he still is a minor, of course?

L.C.
Spring Hill

ANSWER: You don't indicate your current age, but if your son is younger than 18 years of age when you begin taking Social Security benefits at age 62, your son ordinarily would be entitled to a benefit equal to half of your benefit. That benefit might be less if your wife also is receiving Social Security based on your work record because there is a limit on total family benefits.
In addition, your son's benefit might be reduced by an offset if he is working and has an earned income. His benefit would end when he reaches age 19 unless he still is in either elementary of high school at that time.

QUESTION: My wife now is 67 and has been drawing Social Security since she was 62 years old. Her benefit is based on my work record since a benefit based on her own work record would have been much lower.
Since I am much older than she and probably will precede her in death, my question: How will this affect what she draws then?

M.M.
Spring Hill

ANSWER: Since your wife is at least 66 years of age, currently the full retirement age, she would be entitled to a widow's benefit from Social Security equal to the amount of your current benefit. This would not be in addition to what she now receives but, in effect, will replace it.

QUESTION: When he died in August, my husband was receiving benefits from Canada's Old Age Security and the Canada Pension Plan. He had lived and worked in Canada where he ran two businesses for more than 20 years.
I am 84 and I was his second wife. We were married 29 years. I think I should be receiving something. Can you help me?

K.M.
Weeki Wachee

ANSWER: A definitive answer is difficult since you don't give enough information. The question is whether you (not just your husband) lived in Canada.
If you lived in Canada for 20 years, you would be entitled to Old Age Security payments of about $250 a month — about $12.50 a month for each year of residency.
You would not be entitled to any benefit from the Canada Pension Plan unless you worked in that country.

If you have a question about any issues connected with aging, except medical conditions, please write to Life to the Fullest, Hernando Today, 15299 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville, Fla., 34613, or send e-mail to adontaft@yahoo.com. Please include your name and address.

Adon Taft is a resident of Brooksville.

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