Rice Law Office Blog

Need a quick guide to eligibility requirements for Disability Retirement? Here’s a checklist from the New Hampshire Retirement System (NHRS) website.

Disability Retirement

Members who are no longer able to perform the duties of their NHRS-covered employment due to an incapacity (either mental or physical) that is likely to be permanent may qualify for a Disability Retirement benefit. The Disability Retirement pension will be payable for the eligible member’s lifetime if the member’s disability continues.

Eligibility for Ordinary Disability Retirement (non job-related)

Methods to Maximize Social Security Disability and Retirement Benefits

Part one: What is File and Suspend?

This is my first post in my series on social security disability and retirement strategies to increase monthly benefits. In my first two posts, I will try to explain the concept of file and suspend as a strategy to increase retirement benefits and in the second post, I will address the controversy surrounding this option. In my third post I will address the method of dual filing for social security disability and retirement to maximize benefits for those forced to retire early due to disability.  

File and suspend is a strategy used by married couples to increase retirement benefits. It’s easier than it sounds. Here’s how it works:

The spouse with the higher retirement benefit known as PIA (the formula for calculating benefits is called the Primary Insurance Amount or PIA) files for social security benefits at full retirement age, then immediately files a notice to suspend payment of those benefits. In many households the higher earner is the husband, so he would file for retirement at his full retirement age (as opposed to early retirement), but he would opt out of taking his actual payment.