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Your Social Security Questions Answered

Read answers to reader-submitted Social Security questions from Martha Shedden, RSSA’s CLO, and her team of experts. Submit your own question to Martha here.

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If my wife claims spousal benefits early, will she still be entitled to full survivor benefits?

Full question: If my wife claims Social Security at age 62 (based on my earning as I am high earner), will she get full survivor benefits at her full retirement age. Hi there, Thank you for reaching out. If your wife claims Social Security spousal benefits at age 62 based on your earnings as the…

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How do I get reimbursed for Medicare premiums that were incorrectly deducted from my Social Security?

Full question: Yes I took 2 months of premium out of my social security check for my medicare because they had my Medicaid was paying for it and they had it messed up in the computer, but they’re supposed to reimburse me for them too much. How do I do go about getting that paid?…

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How long is the processing time for Form SSA-1724?

Full question: My wife passed away in February and her Social Security check was sent to her bank and then taken back. She passed away after her birthday in February had to file a 1724 to get payment its been over 60 days now how long should it take for payment? Hello, Thank you for…

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Can my wife switch from her benefit to a spousal benefit once I start collecting?

Full question: Hi I’m 68 and not collecting Social Security yet. My wife 66 started collecting on her record a year ago. When I start to collecting can my wife step up to spousal benefit if it’s higher? Hi there, Yes, when you start collecting your Social Security benefits, your wife may be eligible to…

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Can I collect survivor benefits now and claim my own benefits later?

Full question: Hello. My husband was collecting disability through social security and he passed away. I was planning to retire in August. Would it be possible to claim survivor benefits until I am old enough to claim my own benefits? Hi there, Yes, you can claim survivor benefits based on your late husband’s Social Security…

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Do I owe the Social Security Administration money?

Full question: I got a letter from Social Security saying that they previously sent a letter that I may not require to pay back some or all of my SSI overpayments from March 2020 through September 2020 as part of a settlement agreement for the campos, et al. v. kijakazi class action lawsuit. In the…

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