Ask Martha

Your Questions Answered

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.

401k Abroad Adult Disabled Child Applying for Benefits Caring for children Child Benefits Child Support Claiming Strategies COLA Death Dependents Disability Disability Disabled Children Divorce Earned Income Earnings Earnings Test Eligibility for Benefits Ex-spousal benefits Family Benefits Foreign Pensions FRA Garnishment General GPO Green Card Income Limits Loans Marriage Medicaid Medicare Minor children Multiple benefits My Social Security Account News & Legislation Overpayment Pensions Railroad Retirement Remarriage Representative Payee Retroactive benefits Roadmap Software Social Security Administration Social Security Benefits Social Security Terminology Spousal Benefits SSDI SSI Substantial Gainful Activity Survivor Benefits Switching benefits Taxation Teaching Pension Totalization Agreements Underpayment Veterans WEP Withdrawing Application Work Credits Working Working with an RSSA
Ask Your Question

Will my earnings from being a paid caregiver count as earned income for Social Security purposes?

Full question: Since I’ve been a caregiver for my disabled son and am just starting this year as a paid live-in caregiver through medicaid waiver. How will I be able to draw or show I’ve worked for SSI when it comes time for me to retire, since it’s tax exempt. Will it be as if…

Read More

My spouse passed away at 39. She worked for more than 10 years. What can I expect from Social Security for me and my children?

Full question: My spouse passed away at only 39 years old. She has worked full and part time for more than 10 years. What can I expect in Social Security insurance benefits for myself and our 5 children? Hi there, This is a very important question and has a number or rules that apply to…

Read More

Can I apply for spousal benefits and switch to my own benefits later?

Full question: I’m 62 and stopped working, but not collecting Social Security yet. My husband is 69 and still working. Can he apply for Spousal benefits? Can I apply for Spousal benefits after he retires until I’m 67 and then apply for SS? Hi there, One spouse of a couple can only collect spousal benefits…

Read More

Can I collect a survivor benefit if I am caring for his adult disabled child?

Full question: Can I continue to collect my deceased spouse’s SS when I retire if I am caring for his adult disabled child without GPO penalty? The adult child has had SSI denied three times. Can he collect off my deceased spouse’s SS? Also my deceased spouse was military. I am 76 and not retired…

Read More

Can I get my Social Security taxes back if I will never be eligible for benefits?

Full question: I have contributed Social security taxes for only 5 years and I am not eligible for spousal or survivor benefits. I will be receiving a teachers pension in the future. Can I get my SS taxes back for the 5 years, since I will never be eligible for the SS retirement benefits? Hi…

Read More

Why was my client’s Part A Medicare suspended?

Full question: I have a client who had their Part A Medicare suspended by SSA & Medicare but she cannot get a reason for this can you help me find the reason? Hi there, This is an issue that the client must contact the SSA about. I would encourage them to reach out to their…

Read More