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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 turn my FRA at the end of May. Should I say I want to receive my benefits in May or June?

Full question: My full retirement age is May 30th 2025. How do I answer the question when do I want to start receiving my benefits. Do I put May or June? Hi there, I assume that you want to file your benefits at your full retirement age so you should put May, the month you…

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I am switching from survivor benefits to my own benefit in February. Will I still receive my survivor benefit in January?

Full question: I am 68 and switching from my survivor benefits to my personal benefit to take place in February (this month) but to be paid the following month, in March. Will I still receive the survivor benefit for January to be paid in February, or go a month without a check? Hi there, You…

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My wife’s benefits were subject to WEP and GPO. Can she apply for spousal benefits?

Full question: If my wife has qualified for Social Security benefits but it was subject to WEP and GPO, can she now apply for spousal benefits based on my earnings? My earnings are substantially higher than my wife’s. Hi there, The WEP and GPO rules were repealed by the Social Security Fairness Act on January…

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What are the current earnings test threshold limits?

Full question: Is it true that if I collect my husband’s survivor benefits at 60 I can only make $23,500 a year in my income or I have to pay $2.00 for every dollar over that amount? Hi there, If you claim the survivor benefits before your FRA, the SSA will withhold a certain amount…

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Can my wife claim her benefit now and switch to a higher spousal benefit later?

Full question: My wife, a retired teacher with a pension of $5000 a month, turned 62 in September last year. Could she claim her benefit now and then convert to a higher spousal benefit in 2028 when I turn 67? Hello, When your wife files for benefits, she will be deemed to be filing for…

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Can I claim survivor benefits now and switch to my own benefit later?

Full question: My wife passed in 2016 she was 53. I’m 63 and still working. Can I claim her benefits now and then claim mine at 70? Hi there, Yes, you are eligible to claim the survivor benefits based on her earnings record any time after age 60 and then switch over to your retirement…

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