Hi, I am very sorry for your loss. If you are at or above your Full Retirement Age, you can collect 100% of your wife’s benefit. If you take it early, the benefit will be reduced. However, you cannot collect both benefits (your benefit and widow/survivor benefits). You can will collect the higher of the…

Hi there, It depends. Your ex-wife is eligible to collect ex-spousal benefits if she is currently single, you are both at least 62 years old, and you were married for at least 10 years. Best, Martha Do you have a question about Social Security? Ask Martha your own question here.

Hello, I am so sorry for your loss. In most cases, a funeral home will report a death to the Social Security Administration. You should provide the funeral home with your husband’s Social Security number. You cannot report a death or apply for survivor’s benefits online. You should call 1-800-772-1213 to speak with Social Security…

Hello there, The Primary Insurance Amount, commonly referred to as PIA, is the full monthly benefit that you receive if you claim at your Full Retirement Age (FRA). Claiming earlier reduces your benefit and waiting to claim later than FRA increases your benefit. Your PIA is calculated using a specific formula. If you are eligible…

Hello, Full Retirement Age, also known as FRA, is the age at which you will receive the full monthly benefit you have earned from all the years you have contributed into the system. It may also be referred to as normal retirement age. If you choose to claim your Social Security benefits at your FRA, you will…

Hi, This year’s (2020) average monthly benefit is $1,503. Last year’s (2019) monthly benefit was $1,461. Back in 1960, the average benefit was approximately $80 per month! Take care, Martha Do you have a question about Social Security? Ask Martha your own question here.