Full question: Can I receive survivor benefits since my wife died June 27, now they’re telling me we will no longer receive her benefits, only a $250 burial fee Hello, There are two reasons that you may not be entitled to a survivor benefit based on your wife’s earnings. First, if your own retirement benefit…

Full question: Social Security said I’m not eligible for my deceased husbands benefit because I receive a pension from a government agency. We were married 53 years, and I am 71 and receive my own social security as well as the pension. Do I have grounds to appeal their decision? Hi there, There are two…

Full question: I’m a retired State of California employee and drawing a good pension. As a CalPERS member, I didn’t contribute to SS during my 28+ years working for the government agency in CA. I am 61 now and short one (1) quarter of qualifying for SS. (39qtrs) Is there a way to get a…

Full question: I care for my adult disabled children in my home, and I receive Medicaid waiver payments through the IRIS Program in the state of Wisconsin for doing so. Our fiscal agent is iLIFE in Milwaukee, WI. I’ve been a caregiver with the IRIS Program since 2013 when our youngest turned 18. I’ve always…

Full question: I am retired military and I retired from a Police Department that didn’t pay into Social Security. How would the GPO and WEP affect me if I was to collect a spousal benefit based on my wife’s earnings? Hi there, We are assuming that if the Police Department did not pay into Social…

Full question: I am 62, was married to my ex-spouse for 22 years, been divorced for 9 years, am not remarried, and have no dependents. My ex-spouse is a high earner and is 61 years old. My Social Security benefits are less than 50% of my ex-spouse benefits. I want to apply to receive my…