AUTHOR: Linda Grady on 10/10/2024 FIRST: Ben Rodriguez on 10/10/2024 | RECENT: DrLefty on 10/12/2024
Comments
Andrew, this is a very beautiful reflection that epitomizes the reason why I appreciate Humble Dollar so much. Despite the unimaginable loss of her husband and two of her children, your mother must be very proud of the light she has brought to our world by the values that you and your siblings were raised with and have shared. We need more families like the Clements.
Thanks for your research, James. It’s a complicated question - determining how to maximize one’s benefits. My deceased husband retired at 60. He had significantly higher lifetime earnings than I did. I worked until 64 1/2. Doug did extensive research on the Social Security question, then filed for the spousal benefit on my account when I retired. He intended to wait to file on his account until 70, when we both would both have switched to his (higher) account. Unfortunately, he died six months before his 70th birthday. I quickly switched from my benefits to the higher survivor’s benefit, However, I first asked, believe it or not, if I delayed switching until he would have turned 70, could I collect a higher benefit? The two people I spoke to were very kind, offering condolences and agreeing to check. The answer, no surprise, was that you can’t continue to accrue benefits after you have died. A word to the wise: the Treasury Department immediately reclaimed Doug’s final monthly payment, deposited the month he died. I knew payments are made the month after they have been “earned,” so this was an error. The mistake was immediately acknowledged with apologies, but it still took two months to be restored. Despite the best laid plans, losing one’s spouse comes, not only with grief, but plenty of paperwork.
I know that you and Connie are happy with your location, but Wow!, those fees and taxes are high. Several of my neighbors have moved across the border from NJ to PA to reduce their property costs and are very happy here, less than 90 miles from Manhattan with bus and train transportation nearby. I pay $3000/year in property taxes for about 1500 sq ft, including a finished basement with a full bath. I have a nice yard and will soon revert an art studio in back to its original purpose as a one car garage, with a driveway accommodating two cars.
You are correct, David. Self-service doesn’t exist in NJ. I believe it was meant to save jobs. How they can do that and still sell cheaper gas than in NY and PA, someone else will have to explain.
Comments
Andrew, this is a very beautiful reflection that epitomizes the reason why I appreciate Humble Dollar so much. Despite the unimaginable loss of her husband and two of her children, your mother must be very proud of the light she has brought to our world by the values that you and your siblings were raised with and have shared. We need more families like the Clements.
Post: What Bangladesh Taught Me About Enough
Link to comment from April 18, 2026
Thank you, James, and everyone I spoke to, whether from Social Security, insurance companies or banks, was always polite and helpful.
Post: Social Security Survivor Benefits for Spouses
Link to comment from April 17, 2026
Thanks for your research, James. It’s a complicated question - determining how to maximize one’s benefits. My deceased husband retired at 60. He had significantly higher lifetime earnings than I did. I worked until 64 1/2. Doug did extensive research on the Social Security question, then filed for the spousal benefit on my account when I retired. He intended to wait to file on his account until 70, when we both would both have switched to his (higher) account. Unfortunately, he died six months before his 70th birthday. I quickly switched from my benefits to the higher survivor’s benefit, However, I first asked, believe it or not, if I delayed switching until he would have turned 70, could I collect a higher benefit? The two people I spoke to were very kind, offering condolences and agreeing to check. The answer, no surprise, was that you can’t continue to accrue benefits after you have died. A word to the wise: the Treasury Department immediately reclaimed Doug’s final monthly payment, deposited the month he died. I knew payments are made the month after they have been “earned,” so this was an error. The mistake was immediately acknowledged with apologies, but it still took two months to be restored. Despite the best laid plans, losing one’s spouse comes, not only with grief, but plenty of paperwork.
Post: Social Security Survivor Benefits for Spouses
Link to comment from April 17, 2026
The people at Social Security could probably answer this question, Kathy. They were polite and helpful when I called them after my husband’s death.
Post: Social Security Survivor Benefits for Spouses
Link to comment from April 17, 2026
I know that you and Connie are happy with your location, but Wow!, those fees and taxes are high. Several of my neighbors have moved across the border from NJ to PA to reduce their property costs and are very happy here, less than 90 miles from Manhattan with bus and train transportation nearby. I pay $3000/year in property taxes for about 1500 sq ft, including a finished basement with a full bath. I have a nice yard and will soon revert an art studio in back to its original purpose as a one car garage, with a driveway accommodating two cars.
Post: Buying and Selling our Condo (Our Big “Little” Move, Part 2)
Link to comment from April 16, 2026
I passed your words on to my luncheon companion today. Thanks, Ted, for a short, easy-to-remember motto
Post: Penny Wise, Pound Foolish
Link to comment from April 15, 2026
You are correct, David. Self-service doesn’t exist in NJ. I believe it was meant to save jobs. How they can do that and still sell cheaper gas than in NY and PA, someone else will have to explain.
Post: Penny Wise, Pound Foolish
Link to comment from April 15, 2026
I used to put a little water in whatever I was trying to get the last drop of, but I recently quit doing that (most of the time).
Post: Penny Wise, Pound Foolish
Link to comment from April 15, 2026
What wonderful memories! Sugar Ray Leonard …Wow!
Post: Penny Wise, Pound Foolish
Link to comment from April 15, 2026
You and I think alike, Mark. I posted my comment before reading yours. 😊
Post: Penny Wise, Pound Foolish
Link to comment from April 15, 2026