Although Social Security is one of the sources of monthly benefits for retirees, there are instances when one may not receive their benefits. Below, you will find the seven reasons why you may not receive your Social Security benefits.
The first reason is that you failed the Social Security Earnings Test. When you claim your Social Security benefits earlier than the full retirement age, you must pass this test to qualify for the benefits. If you claim during your full retirement age, you will not have to go through this test.
Another reason is you were short on your credits. To receive your Social Security benefits, you have to work for a certain amount of time and pay your taxes. Through this scheme, you will build your credits, so you will be eligible for benefits. One credit is earned for every $1,470 income earned, and people must earn 40 credits to receive the Social Security benefits.
The third reason is you have an outstanding debt that qualifies for garnishment. This means that your Social Security benefits can be used to satisfy certain debts such as alimony, child support, restitution, and the like. The debts that your Social Security benefits can pay varies per state.
The fourth reason is if you are covered under the Civil Service Retirement System. Federal employees hired before 1984 have been paying their contributions to the Civil Service Retirement System. That is why they cannot claim under the Social Security Administration unless they become eligible through another job or a spouse.
Another program that will not allow you to get Social Security Benefits is if the Railroad Retirement Act covers you.
The sixth reason is you do not qualify for a divorced spouse’s benefits. To receive benefits on their former spouse’s records, people must meet qualifications like they were married for ten years or longer, must not have remarried, and more. You have to check your qualifications before making a claim with the Social Security Administration under this instance.
And lastly, if you moved out of the United States after you retired, you have to check if you can collect Social Security benefits from where you moved to. The Social Security Administration is forbidden from sending payments to countries like Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. In these countries, there can be exceptions. However, if you move to Cuba or North Korea, the prohibition is absolute.
Also Read: What You Should Do If You Did Not Receive Any Or All Federal Stimulus Checks
