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Your Social Security Questions Answered

Read answers to reader-submitted Social Security questions from Martha Shedden, NARSSA’s Co-Founder and Chief Learning Officer, and her team of experts. Submit your own question to Martha here.

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Will my Medicaid waiver payments reduce my Social Security benefits?

Full question: For caring for my adult disabled child in my home, I receive Medicaid waiver payments designated as “difficulty of care payments” under notice 2014-7, which are excludable from my gross income for both income taxes and FICA. If I begin to collect early retirement benefits before my FRA, do these payments above $19,560…

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I have two disabled children. Am I eligible for ex-spousal benefits?

Full question: I am 61 and divorced. I’m caring for our 2 disabled sons by myself. My ex-husband has remarried and moved 2,000 miles away. He hasn’t retired yet. I’m not working. Am I qualified to claim any of his Social Security on behalf of my sons? Hi there, If you were married for at…

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Am I eligible for ex-spousal benefits as sole caregiver of our disabled child?

Full question: I am the full time caregiver of our disabled 21 year old – we were together for 13 years, married for 9.6 legal and 3 years common law, divorced in 2008 and he has not helped or seen disabled child since. He has just retired – 21 year old disabled daughter is receiving…

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I am 70 and still working. How much income can I earn while collecting benefits?

Full question: I am 70 years old and I am working how much can I make in 2022 and 2023? I will be applying for Social Security benefits this month. Hello, There are two earnings limits that retirees need to be aware of before collecting while continuing to work. The lower limit is $19,560 which…

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Can qualified dependents collect benefits while the primary beneficiary delays collection?

Full question: I saw a video explaining that if a person has qualified dependents, and receiving monthly reduced early retirement benefits for less than x amount of time, the primary beneficiary could withdraw his/her benefits and wait until 67, probably would need to repay his/her benefits and meanwhile the children would continue to received their…

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How does earned income affect Social Security benefits?

Full question: I turn 62 in January 2023 and want to collect Social Security. I have earned $55,000 in 2022. How will that affect my benefit in 2023? Hello, If you have earnings in 2022, but do not file until 2023, your earnings for 2022 will not impact your benefits. However, if you decide to…

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