Full question: Once you begin drawing SSA retirement, can it go up or down? Hi there, Unless there are major, immediate changes to the Social Security rules, it can only increase. In fact, it can increase in several ways. First of all, the annual cost of living adjustment, COLA, normally increases benefits unless the COLA…

Full question: I was previously married for 28 years, but am now single, age 67 and collecting Social Security. If I marry a 69-year old lady, who is also collecting Social Security, will her benefit amount change? Hello, Her benefit may change if the spousal benefit she would be eligible to collect is greater than…

Hi, Yes, you still qualify for full Social Security spousal benefits; your foreign pension will have no bearing on your eligibility for spousal benefits. Foreign pensions are not considered as government pensions for purposes of the GPO provision, as specified in the first bullet of Section B, Payments That Are Not Pensions For GPO, in…

Hi, Yes, you can and depending on the amount that you earn during those years, your Social Security benefits may increase due to Social Security’s Recomputation of Benefits provision. Each year you work, you add to your earnings record and Social Security automatically recalculates your benefits. They average your years of earnings through the year…

Full question: Hi. My partner and I have been together for over 7 years, but we are not married. I am 64 and plan on collecting Social Security next year at 65. My partner is 69 and already collecting Social Security. If we decide to get married, will this impact our benefits (negatively or positively)?…

Hi, Yes, your Social Security income may be taxable, but it depends on the amount of your combined income* each year. At the most, only 85% of your Social Security income may be taxed by the IRS. This is how you calculate your combined income*: Your adjusted gross income (AGI) + Nontaxable interest + ½…