Ask Martha

Your Social Security Questions Answered

Read answers to reader-submitted Social Security questions from Martha Shedden, NARSSA’s Co-Founder and Chief Learning Officer, and her team of experts. Submit your own question to Martha here.

401k Abroad Adult Disabled Child Applying for Benefits Caring for children Child Benefits Child Support Child-in-care benefits Claiming Strategies COLA Death Dependents Disability Disability Disabled Children Divorce Earned Income Earnings Earnings Test Eligibility for Benefits Ex-spousal benefits Family Benefits Family Maximum Foreign Pensions FRA Garnishment General GPO Green Card Income Limits Loans Marriage Medicaid Medicare Minor children Multiple benefits My Social Security Account News & Legislation Overpayment Pensions Railroad Retirement Remarriage Representative Payee Retroactive benefits Roadmap Software Self-Employed Social Security Administration Social Security Benefits Social Security Fairness Act (HR 82) Social Security Terminology Spousal Benefits SSDI SSI Substantial Gainful Activity Survivor Benefits Switching benefits Taxation Teaching Pension Totalization Agreements Underpayment Veterans WEP Withdrawing Application Withholding benefits Work Credits Working Working with an RSSA
Ask Your Question

How do I know if I was contributing to Social Security?

Full question: I am a retired teacher so I couldn’t get Social Security. I have 5 years of credit that I know of . I have worked as a substitute teacher for the last 2 and a half years, but I don’t think they took out money for Social Security. Is there a way I…

Read More

Will my son’s SSI be affected if I am providing care under an AD Waiver?

Hi there, Thank you for reaching out regarding your son’s SSI benefits and the impact of providing a level of care under an AD Waiver. Generally, providing care under an AD Waiver should not directly affect your son’s SSI benefits. The SSI program is designed to provide assistance to individuals with limited income and resources,…

Read More

Are benefits paid to an ex-spouse included in the Family Maximum calculation?

Full question: I am a divorce married to my ex for more than 10 years. My question involves family maximum, I saw this and I’m wondering if I qualify for my full share of benefits from my ex-husbands retirement. My adult disabled son is getting benefits from my husband’s retirement but I was told I…

Read More

How do I apply to Medicaid?

Full question: How to apply to Medicaid? Me and my wife are retired without any financial back up since last three years and hoping get some help. Hi there, Thank you for reaching out regarding your interest in applying for Medicaid. Medicaid is a state and federally funded program that provides health coverage to eligible…

Read More

Will my payment date change when I switch from SSDI to Social Security retirement benefits?

Full question: I am currently on SSDI. I turn 65 this month. On SSDI I get paid on the 3rd of each month. Will my payment date change to the fourth Wednesday of each month after 65? I have emailed, called and texted my local and government SSA with NO response. Help! And thank you….

Read More

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…

Read More