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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.

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I am a French citizen working in the US. What will my retirement look like?

Full question: Hi I am a French citizen working in the US since 2010. I planned to retire from France in June 2030 and then in the US in November 2030 (67 yrs old). Can I claim the French US treaty to “avoid” the WEP?  Hi there! There are many aspects to the Social Security…

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Am I entitled to survivor benefits if I got remarried, but divorced after 4 years?

Full question: I am a single woman, 62, caring for my disabled adult child who gets SSDI from his deceased father. Am I also entitled to survivor benefits if got remarried but divorced after 4 years? Hi there, If you were married for ten or more years to your disabled adult child’s father, you are…

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If I apply to switch from survivor benefits to my own benefits, how long will it take to go into effect?

Hi there, You can make the decision of when you want to switch from survivor benefits to your own retirement benefits. You should file for those about three months prior to the date you want them to start to allow time for SSA to process the change. The first check in the new amount will…

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Does my husband need to be at FRA in order for me to switch to spousal benefits?

Full question: I am 63 and am wanting to collect my benefits. Can I switch to my husband’s benefits when he retires? Do he have to be at FRA for me to do this? Hi there, When you file, you will be required to be filing for both benefits you are eligible for at the…

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I currently receive disability benefits. Will my benefits decrease when I reach FRA because of my earnings history?

Hi there, If you are collecting Social Security disability insurance, SSDI, you will still collect the same amount at full retirement age, but the benefit will be considered a retirement benefit and paid from a different SSA trust fund. Take care, Martha

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When can I collect a survivor benefit?

Full question: I’m a 62 year old widower with no dependents. When can I collect my deceased wife’s benefits? She was fully qualified. Hello, Survivor benefits may be collected as early as age 60, but the amount will increase, if delayed, up to your full retirement age, 67. If you are also eligible for your…

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