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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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What will my wife’s spousal benefit be?

Full question: Hi Martha, I started my Social Security at 62 (am now 63) and took the reduced amount. My wife (62) is considering applying for spousal benefits as she has not contributed much to Social Security. Does she qualify for half of the full retirement benefit that I would have received at 67 (minus…

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How can I see what my Social Security benefit will be at different ages?

Hello, The first place to start is at SSA.gov by setting up a mySocialSecurity account. Once you have that, you will have access to your Social Security statement showing you benefit amounts at the years between 62 and 70. For further personal assistance, we recommend connecting with a Registered Social Security Analyst (RSSA) in your…

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Is my sister entitled to benefits retroactive to January 24th as a result of the Social Security Fairness Act?

Full question: My sister receives public pension as a result of her years long teaching career. She never applied for Social Security benefits because 2/3 of her public pension would have exceeded any SS benefits. SS Fairness Act became law Jan 25. She applied for SS benefits 1-17-25 received lump sum (incl 6 months retroactive)…

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Are there any penalties if I opt for the Social Security benefit over the railroad’s tier I benefit?

Full question: I’m the spouse of a railroad retiree and I’m currently receiving both tier I and tier II benefits based on my husband’s retirement income. I’m now at the age where I can apply to receive Social Security, and I’m strongly considering applying to receive as the benefit would be approximately $500 more per…

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When will the RSSA Roadmap software be updated to reflect the Social Security Fairness Act law change?

Full question: My wife is under the WEP issue in Colorado. When will the software be updated to reflect the law change? Hi there, The RSSA Roadmap software has already been updated to incorporate the changes brought about by the Social Security Fairness Act, H.R. 82. This includes the elimination of the Windfall Elimination Provision…

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Does the Social Security Fairness Act apply to this first time applicant for Social Security spousal benefit?

Full question: For a foreign born non-citizen legal immigrant at FRA who has accumulated over 40 credits of contribution from work in the USA and collected foreign pension from previous employment in a foreign country that does not have a totalization agreement with USA prior to moving to USA, does Social Security Fairness Act featuring…

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