Full question: Hi Martha, I am from the UK and retired at 62 here in the USA after 22 years of “substantial” earnings for Social Security benefit calculations. I am also eligible to collect a partial UK State Retirement Pension in 2025 for the years I worked in the UK (50% of current max). How…

Hi there, Yes, you may be entitled to collect survivor benefits based on your deceased husband’s earnings record and still work. You must have been married at least 9 months and be at least 60 to collect survivor benefits and 62 to collect retirement benefits. If you are working, collecting benefits, and younger than your…

Full question: I am Single (Widower – wife was Homemaker – no payments to SS) aged 79yo and Social Security wont pay me retirement benefits because I have worked for 35 quarters and not 40 quarters. I did not complete the extra 5 quarters because of permanently caring for my wife during her illness (double…

Original question: Ex-spouse needs her husbands XML earning statement, but they don’t talk to each other. Will Social Security send her a copy of the earning statement? Hi there, We often get questions about this topic. SSA will usually not provide the earnings record, but the ex-spouse is entitled to know their ex’s primary insurance…

Hi there, No it is not. The child-in-care spousal benefit is available for a young ex-spouse (less than age 62) if: -They were married at least 10 years, -The applicant is currently unmarried, -They are caring for the claimant’s minor child (under age 16) or disabled adult child, -Their former spouse is eligible for Social…

Original question: Will I be forced to apply for my own SS retirement benefits when I become eligible even though I am receiving SS Spousal benefits at the time? Hi there, You can only collect the higher of the benefits you are eligible to receive when when you apply. So if you are currently collecting…