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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.

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How do I determine the best claiming strategy involving ex-spousal benefits?

Full Question: I am divorced born after 1954, and was married for more than 10 years. My ex-spouse has remarried while I have not, and while I do have some earnings to claim, claiming as an ex-spouse will provide the higher estimate. My concern is that while I have reached FRA, my ex-spouse won’t for…

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How are ex-spouse benefits determined?

Hi there, Ex-spouse benefits are based on your ex’s primary insurance amount (PIA), the amount they would receive at their full retirement age (FRA). You may contact the SSA to find out what your ex’s PIA is by providing the information needed to verify your marriage to, and divorce from, the individual. For personalized assistance…

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How long does it take for a Request for Withdrawal of Application to get approved?

Full question: How long does it take Social Security to accept/process a “Request for Withdrawal of Application”. It has been a month since I had the application processed. Hi there, It is difficult to know how long it takes for your withdrawal application to be approved after it has been submitted, but you do have…

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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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