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Martha Shedden is RSSA’s President and Co-Founder. Read Martha’s responses to questions regarding Social Security. View all questions or browse by category. Submit your own question to Martha here.
Do I already need to be collecting benefits to receive the cost-of-living adjustment?
Full question: Is it preferable to start collecting as of December 2021 rather than March 2022 in order to qualify for the 5.9% cola increase? Hello, For retirees who are already collecting benefits prior to January of a given year, they will automatically see an increase come January for the Cost-Of-Living. However, those who are…
Read MoreIf a spouse collects their own retirement benefit at 62, can they switch to a spousal benefit later?
Full question: Hello Martha and Happy Safe New Year. My wife turned 62 in Jan 2022 and is entitled to receive $644 if we elect to start then. Under Spousal benefits, she would receive $1,008 if I were receiving my benefits. I am turning 65 this July 2022 and haven’t filed to collect yet, waiting…
Read MoreMy wife recently passed away. Is there anything I need to do with the Social Security Administration?
Hello, I am very sorry for your loss. In most cases, a funeral home will report a death to the Social Security Administration. You should provide the funeral home with your husband’s Social Security number. You cannot report a death or apply for survivor’s benefits online. You should call 1-800-772-1213 to speak with Social Security…
Read MoreHow do I cancel my Social Security application?
Full question: How do I cancel my SSI application? Hello there, To begin, I want to clarify that SSI stands for Supplemental Security Income, not Social Security Income. The SSI acronym is commonly mistaken for Social Security. To cancel your SSI (Supplemental Security Income) application, fill out Social Security Form SSA-521. Include the reason you…
Read MoreCan I collect a spousal benefit at age 62 and then delay and switch to my own benefit at my full retirement age?
Hello, If you are eligible for more than one Social Security benefit, when you apply you will be “deemed to be filing” for all the benefits you are eligible to collect and you will receive the higher amount. This means that you cannot take one benefit and delay collecting the other. You will receive your…
Read MoreWhen I switch from my husband’s survivor benefits to my own retirement benefit, will a month of payment be withheld?
Full question: I’m switching from my husband’s survivor benefits to my own and I want to know if they’re going to withhold a month. Hi there, No. When you switch from a survivor benefit to your own retirement benefit, the Social Security Administration will not withhold a month of payment. Take care, Martha
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