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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.

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Does your minor child need to be listed as a dependent on your tax return for you to collect child benefits?

Full question: If you file and start collecting Social Security, and you have a minor child, must they be listed as a deduction on your tax return for you to collect child benefit as well? I ask because I have joint custody of our 11-year-old son, but my ex-wife lists him as a dependent on…

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Can I apply for spousal benefits since my own benefit will be decreased by WEP (Windfall Elimination Provision)?

Full question: My SS benefits will be whacked by WEP. Can I apply under my wife for spousal benefits and will they be half of her benefit (despite my WEP)? Hello, Yes, in fact when you apply for any Social Security benefits, you will be “deemed” to be filing for all the benefits you are…

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Is someone required to take Social Security when they turn 70?

Full question: Is someone required to take Social Security when they turn 70, or can they decline it/never file a claim for it? Sounds crazy on the surface but the situation is husband and wife are on Medicaid, living on only husband’s income, wife turning 70 soon and if she claims her 500/month retirement benefit…

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Will my Railroad spousal pension impact my Social Security retirement benefits?

Full question: My husband receives an annuity (pension) for his work with the Railroad Retirement system. I am 58 and will also be eligible to receive a spousal RR annuity at 60. I have many years of SS covered employment. Will my RR spousal pension impact my SS retirement benefits? Hello, It may be that…

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Am I entitled to collect against my ex-spouse’s record if caring for a disabled child?

Full question: Am I entitled to keep collecting against my ex spouses record if my qualification was due to 10 yr exception to 10 yr rule caring for disabled child? Hi, For married couples, when one parent begins collecting Social Security retirement benefits, the other parent’s age 62 or older and minor and/or adult disabled…

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I have been married and divorced to the same person twice. Does the SSA require that the ten years be consecutive?

Hi there, The short answer is “yes, sort of!” The “consecutive” part means that the two time periods of the marriages must be in existence in each of the 10 or more consecutive years. Therefore, the second marriage must start within the 12 months after the first divorce. Social Security does require that two people…

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