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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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I claimed survivor benefits at 62. Can I get my own Social Security benefits at 70?

Full question: I took widow social security at 62 can I get my own at 70? Hello, Thank you for the question. Yes, you do have the ability to switch to your own retirement benefit at anytime from age 62 through 70. You will receive the higher of the two amounts at the time you…

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Is a French Pension subject to the GPO for spousal or survivor benefits?

Full question: The French pension is composed of the State pension plus what we called the Agirc Arco points.Are these money points subject to GPO when you get spousal or widow Social Security? Hi there, Thank you for your question about the Government Pension Offset, GPO rule. This rule applies to dependent benefits such as…

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Can my adult disabled daughter collect Social Security from her dad and her disability benefit too?

Full question: My ex husband began collecting his Social Security at age 62. We have an adult disabled daughter (disability began at age 2) and she receives her own SSDI. Is she allowed to claim part of her dads Social Security and keep her own SSDI? Hi there, Thank you for your question about your…

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Can I receive a child-in-care survivor benefit for my adult disabled child?

Full question: Can I receive child care benefits on my deceased ex husband, for our adult disabled child, who is collecting SSDI on his benefits? I’m 58. Hello, Thank you for your child-in-care survivor benefit question. Yes, if you are younger than age 60 and taking care of a disabled adult child, you may be…

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If I claim spousal benefits through my husband’s Railroad Benefits, will it make me claim my Social Security benefit too?

Full question: I am hoping you will be able to assist in answering a question related to spousal benefits that potentially may involve coordination between the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) and the Social Security Administration (SSA). I plan to take my full retirement benefits at age 67 through SSA. I am currently 62. I do…

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If I switch from Railroad spousal benefits to my own retirement benefit at 70, will I still receive delayed credits?

Full question: My wife retired from the railroad at 63. I am collecting a railroad spousal annuity at 65. When i switch at 70 to my own Social Security which is higher than my Railroad spousal annuity, do i get the delayed Social Security credits from 66 and 6 months to 70? Hello, Thank you…

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