Dear Liz: I started collecting my Social Security at age 62 because I had cancer and could not work. My husband is now ill and will pass on soon. Will I still be able to get my husband’s Social Security, which is much higher than mine, when he passes on? Answer: Yes. Surviving spouses get the larger […]
Recent Blog Posts
Q&A: What do you do when an ex takes out a credit card in your name?
Dear Liz: My ex-husband took out a credit card in my name without my knowledge. By the time I discovered it on a credit report, he had over $14,000 in charges on the card. I was able to close the credit card, but cannot remove my name and Social Security number from the account. My ex […]
Q&A: What does a successor trustee do?
Dear Liz: My older brother and his wife recently told me they made me the executor of their living trust. I have no experience with this. They live in Maryland and I’m in California. Can you please let me know what I can do now to make the process simpler when the time comes? Answer: Your brother […]
Q&A: Closing a long-held credit card didn’t have much impact
Dear Liz: I just read your column about cardholders being fearful of canceling a card. Here’s my story. I made an online purchase with a credit card I’ve had since 1981. The purchase turned out to be a scam. I spent hours trying to resolve this. When I finally got a human, she was extremely hard […]
Q&A: IRS tax payment problem can be frustrating to fix
Dear Liz: In a recent column, you advised people to pay IRS tax bills online. Have you done this yourself? The wording of the choices to click on can be confusing. I tried to help my son pay online last year. We evidently chose the wrong type of tax and it went to “la la land.” […]
Q&A: How “deeming” works for Social Security spousal benefits
Dear Liz: I will be turning 64 next year and my wife will be turning 62. I plan to wait as long as I can to file for my Social Security, hopefully till 70. My benefit at full retirement age (age 67) is around $3,400 monthly and my wife’s is about $1,100. Half of my benefit […]