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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.
How will my foreign pensions impact the survivor benefits I receive?
Full question: I am collecting my deceased spouse’s benefits and I am eligible for a UK state pension and a UK teaching pension. How will these pensions apply or not apply to me? Thank you very much. Hello, There are two rules related to pensions and Social Security and they affect Social Security benefits in…
Read MoreCan I collect my deceased husband’s Social Security until I start to collect mine?
Full question: I am recently widowed, age 64 and plan to work until 65.5. I do not plan to collect my social security until age 70. When I retire at 65.5, can I collect my husband’s social security until I start to collect mine. My benefits would be higher than my husband’s. Hi there, Yes,…
Read MoreWhen do the 12 months to re-do an application begin?
Full question: For the 12 months to re-do application, I am confused about exactly when it starts. Count from the first month retirees start collecting benefits or from the first month of applying? Hello, If you change your mind about starting your benefits, you can cancel your application for up to 12 months after you…
Read MoreCan my wife collect survivor benefits from her previous husband?
Full question: My wife is 62 and I am 61. Neither of us are collecting Social Security. She was married for over 10 years and her husband died. Can she collect Social Security on his work record until I retire? Or can she wait until she is 67 and transfer to her own retirement benefit?…
Read MoreI live in Canada. Can I claim on wife’s Social Security?
Full question: I am 72 and never claimed Social Security as I did not pay into it long enough. Can I claim on my wife’s Social Security? She was born December 1958 and I now live in Canada. Hello, Yes, you are eligible to claim a spousal benefit based on your wife’s earnings record, if…
Read MoreI receive Social Security already. Can I cancel my benefits now and reapply later?
Hi there, Yes, there are two opportunities to stop payments and reapply to start again later. If you have been collecting benefits for less than 12 months, you may withdraw your application. This requires you to pay back any Social Security income you have collected, but essentially “wipes the slate clean” so you can reapply…
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