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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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How can my family maximize our Social Security benefits?

Full question: Our daughter is 36 years old and disabled since birth. She receives SSI and I heard about child-in-care benefits. I am 66 and turn 67 this December and my wife is 64 turning 65 next month and neither of us are retired. How can we maximize our social security benefits immediately? Hi there,…

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Am I eligible for divorced spousal benefits?

Full question: This individual is 70 years old, still working and is claiming Social Security income and has been divorced over 10 years and not remarried. The individual would like to know if they can still claim the divorced spousal benefits and can she go back to retroactively claim? Hi there, Based on the information…

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When can my wife begin collecting spousal benefits?

Full question: Hi Martha. I just turned 59 yeas old and have been collecting SSDI and a private disability benefit for the past 3-4 years. My wife of 36 years will be 60 years old in early July. She is retired from New York State and collecting her retirement benefit from NYS. Unfortunately, due to…

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Can I collect a survivor benefit now before collecting my own benefit at 70?

Full question: I’m 67 and my financial advisor is working with me to delay collecting until age 70. My wife was collecting Social Security since 2018 until her passing two months ago. Can I claim surviving spouse benefits until 1 turn 70? Hi there, Yes, since you are over the age of 60 and your…

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Can I apply for my husband’s Social Security if I am collecting disability?

Hello, Yes, you can apply for spousal benefits on your husband’s Social Security record if you are receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Once your husband starts receiving Social Security retirement benefits, you may be eligible for an additional spousal benefit if half of his full retirement benefit is higher than your SSDI benefit. For…

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Can my wife apply for Social Security at age 62?

Full question: My wife is 57. If she applies for Social Security at age 62 will she get the higher of her SS benefits or 50% of mine (age 68). Also the 3:1 restriction before FRA – that amount will be added at FRA – so a person does not lose it – but it…

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