[Romad]

(WATCH) Shorting Seniors | Sharyl Attkisson

A widow signing up for survivor's benefits and her own retirement benefits at the same time is called “dual enrollment." And too often, McAdams says, it’s not a good thing.

McAdams: It could be men, but it's typically widows — women — who applied for survivor benefits, and their claims were set up incorrectly. And, as a result, they've lost money for years, and they continue to lose hundreds of dollars every month.

I wonder if anyone here has seen this!

[Bay Kid]

Happened to Dad when Mom passed. He now gets less than last year.

[bsloan1960]

We just went to a SS seminar. My wife is eligible to collect her late husband's Social Security- which is significantly more than hers would be. Our group was told that a widow/widower must choose which to collect- either your own SS or your late spouse's. You may opt for the higher of the 2. That you can not collect both.

[Stu from NYC]

If this happens a phone call to SS or a visit to their office would be in order

[manaboutown]

Even an ex-wife or ex-husband if previously married long enough can collect SS based on the earnings of their former spouse.

"If you are divorced, your ex-spouse can receive benefits based on your record (even if you have remarried) if: Your marriage lasted 10 years or longer. Your ex-spouse is unmarried. Your ex-spouse is age 62 or older."

From: Benefits Planner: Retirement | Benefits For Your Family | SSA

[bsloan1960]

It sounds like people are saying that under Duel Enrollment someone can collect 2 Social Security checks. Is that what is being said? It is my understanding that if a divorced or late spouse's check is to be collected, a person must choose Either their own SS check OR the spouse's, and that Both can not be collected. Here is a quote from the Social Security website (If I wrong please tell me because I would benefit from being able to collect 2:

//////////
(from SS.GOV)
What is dual entitlement in Social Security?
Dually entitled beneficiaries qualify for benefits based on their own work record and a spouse or survivor benefit based on their spouse's work record. Generally, the higher of the two benefits is paid.
/////////

[Djean1981]

Originally Posted by bsloan1960

It sounds like people are saying that under Duel Enrollment someone can collect 2 Social Security checks. Is that what is being said? It is my understanding that if a divorced or late spouse's check is to be collected, a person must choose Either their own SS check OR the spouse's, and that Both can not be collected. Here is a quote from the Social Security website (If I wrong please tell me because I would benefit from being able to collect 2:

//////////
(from SS.GOV)
What is dual entitlement in Social Security?
Dually entitled beneficiaries qualify for benefits based on their own work record and a spouse or survivor benefit based on their spouse's work record. Generally, the higher of the two benefits is paid.
/////////

Yes, not both..

[manaboutown]

Originally Posted by Djean1981

Yes, not both..

You get to take your pick.

[bsloan1960]

Thank you. So your answers prompt this next question. If you can only select ONE SS check, what is the Duel Enrollment that is being discussed?

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by bsloan1960

Thank you. So your answers prompt this next question. If you can only select ONE SS check, what is the Duel Enrollment that is being discussed?

A widow (or widower) walks into the SS office to apply for benefits. They are eligible for survivor benefits from their deceased spouse and their own benefits.

What this thread is about:
- The SS office enrolls them for both (dual enrollment)
- They collect on the one that pays more

The problem: By enrolling them in both, their benefits are "locked" at their current age which might be less than full retirement age. This means their benefits are locked in at a lower amount than what they could be getting.

A better approach:
- The SS office enrolls them for survivor benefits
- Their own benefits continue to increase as they reach full retirement age or older
- At some point they enroll for their own benefits when their benefits exceed the survivor benefits

By "dual enrolling" at an early age they lock in an amount for their benefits which will never increase. By enrolling in only the survivor benefits they receive a check now but can later switch to their own benefits if those become larger than the survivor benefits.

At least that's what I understood the article to be about.

[Garywt]

I currently collect SS disability. When I am old enough to collect the normal SS I was told I get to pick the disability or the SS which ever is larger but not both.

[Worldseries27]

Originally Posted by romad

(watch) shorting seniors | sharyl attkisson

a widow signing up for survivor's benefits and her own retirement benefits at the same time is called “dual enrollment." and too often, mcadams says, it’s not a good thing.

Mcadams: It could be men, but it's typically widows — women — who applied for survivor benefits, and their claims were set up incorrectly. And, as a result, they've lost money for years, and they continue to lose hundreds of dollars every month.

I wonder if anyone here has seen this!

i wonder if dottie is owed money, carl loved her so.

[mydavid]

My friend was not old enough for SS when her husband passed, she received survivors SS until age 70 and then switch to her own. Her SS doubled.

[Bridget Staunton]

You cannot double dip. When I lost my sweetheart, SS suggested to take his until I was older and then take my own. This is what i did & the income is much larger. If you wait until your 70 it’s increased more because it’s based on longevity & your lifespan has decreased. My understanding

[airstreamingypsy]

Originally Posted by bsloan1960

We just went to a SS seminar. My wife is eligible to collect her late husband's Social Security- which is significantly more than hers would be. Our group was told that a widow/widower must choose which to collect- either your own SS or your late spouse's. You may opt for the higher of the 2. That you can not collect both.

Correct. I collect my late husband's which is more than mine, I can't also collect mine.