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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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Can I claim survivor benefits now?

Full question: I have plans to retire January 2024. I am only 64 and want to claim survivors benefits because my husband died on 2006. Want to switch to my social security when I reach the age. Do I have to wait until I retire to start receiving these benefits or can I start now?…

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Can I switch from an ex-spousal benefit to my own benefit at 70?

Full question: Good morning. I am divorced, 66 years old with two disabled adult children that have lived with me all their lives. One has Autism, the other was injured at age 22 and is a parapalygic. Can I collect 1/2 of my ex-spouse’s Social Security Retirement while I continue working and change over to…

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Can I apply for ex-spousal benefits now and switch to my own at 70?

Full question: I am full retirement age and have been divorced for more than 10 years. My ex-husband and I have a disabled child (34 year old) that I care for and draws SSDI off of her father who is 70 years old. I have not applied for Social Security benefits, as I was wanting…

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Can I receive a survivor benefit from my ex-husband if I got remarried?

Full question: I’m 65, in dire financial shape (making work difficult since pandemic). I qualify for a bewildering smorgasborg, all but Survivor/Widow’s… It seems perilous for me to go in without better preparation. I think it would be different if I didn’t actually need this so badly. My ex’s earnings are much higher than mine…

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I was told I need to pay back my survivor benefits since I also receive disability. What can I do?

Full question: I received my widows benefits for 2 years. Then I was approved for disability and now they are telling me I have to pay all the widows benefits back because I couldn’t get both, but that wasn’t my fault. Hello, You are in a very unique situation, and it is difficult for us…

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I am divorced and single. My ex-husband is remarried. Can I still collect Social Security based on his record?

Full question: I have been divorced from my 2nd husband for 10 years now and have not remarried. He, however, remarried 2 years ago. When I’m able to draw Social Security Retirement in 10 years, can I still draw off him or will I only be able to draw what I’ve paid in during the…

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