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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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My SSI stopped due to my assets. How can I get it back?

Full question: Hello, I just turned 58, divorced, and totally disabled. Before my divorce was final, I was receiving SSI. In the divorce, I won the 401k which put me over asset limit and the SSI stopped. The 401k is all I have for the rest of my life. Is there a way for me…

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Can I switch from survivor benefits to my own retirement benefits?

Hi there, Yes, if eligible for both your own retirement benefits and survivor benefits, you may collect one benefit (even if it is a lower amount than the other benefit at the time you are collecting) and later switch to the other. This will allow a retirement benefit to increase all the way up to…

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Can the higher earning spouse collect child in care benefits from the lower earning spouse’s record?

Full question: I am 62 and my higher earning spouse is currently 66, but plans to not collect his Social Security until age 70. We have a 30-year-old adult disabled child (from birth) who lives with us. If I collect my OWN reduced benefit now, can my husband collect the Child in Care benefits from…

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Will my deceased husband’s railroad pension impact my Social Security?

Full question: Why can I receive my deceased husbands railroad pension, but I cannot collect my Social Security that I paid into after working for over 30 years? Hi there, Railroad retirement and survivor benefits work with Social Security, not in addition to it. That means that the Railroad retirement benefit is subtracted from the…

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How and where do I file a 2023 W2 form?

Full question: My 93 y/o mom just passed last month. I have been informed that I will have to file her 2023 W2 form. How and where? Hi there, Please contact your tax professional or the IRS for details on reporting income tax. Best of luck, Martha

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Am I eligible to collect on my ex’s Social Security if it is higher than mine?

Full question: I’m 75, divorced and caring for our disabled adult daughter who is collecting SSDI on her dad. Am I entitled to collect on his social security if higher than my SS? Hello, Yes, you may be eligible for an ex-spousal benefit if you were married for 10 or more years and the benefit…

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