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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.

401k Abroad Adult Disabled Child Applying for Benefits Caring for children Child Benefits Child Support Child-in-care benefits Claiming Strategies COLA Death Dependents Disability Disability Disabled Children Divorce Earned Income Earnings Earnings Test Eligibility for Benefits Ex-spousal benefits Family Benefits Family Maximum Foreign Pensions FRA Future of Social Security Garnishment General GPO Green Card Income Limits Loans Marriage Medicaid Medicare Minor children Multiple benefits My Social Security Account News & Legislation Overpayment Pensions Railroad Retirement Remarriage Representative Payee Retroactive benefits Roadmap Software Self-Employed Social Security Administration Social Security Benefits Social Security Fairness Act (HR 82) Social Security Terminology Spousal Benefits SSDI SSI Substantial Gainful Activity Survivor Benefits Switching benefits Taxation Teaching Pension Totalization Agreements Underpayment Veterans WEP Withdrawing Application Withholding benefits Work Credits Working Working with an RSSA

Am I eligible to receive my ex’s larger Social Security benefit?

Full question: I plan on taking Social Security next year at age 70. I am divorced. I was married to my ex for 12 years and have not remarried. I have worked 44 years. If ex’s Social Security amount is larger than mine will I be entitled to that amount? Thank you. Hi there, Thank…

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Can I file for ex-spousal benefits and switch to my own benefit later?

Full question: May I file for a Social Security benefit against my ex’s record and delay my own benefit filing until age 70? I am single, age 65 and my ex is also 65. Hello, Unfortunately, no. You cannot file for ex-spousal benefits and delay filing for your own retirement benefits until age 70. The…

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Can a divorced spouse claim child-in-care benefits for her disabled adult child?

Full question: Can a divorced spouse claim child-in-care benefits for her disabled adult child if the primary beneficiary is still alive and collecting a benefit? Hi there, A divorced spouse can claim child-in-care benefits for a disabled adult child if the child became disabled before age 22 and the divorced spouse is caring for the…

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What should I consider before applying for Social Security benefits to ensure I’m making the right decisions?

Full question: Hi Martha. I turn 65 this year, the same year Social Security turns 90 and I’m getting ready to file for benefits. I’ve done some reading, but I still feel unsure about what I need to consider before applying. What should I keep in mind to make sure I’m making the right decisions?…

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How do I know if I was contributing to Social Security?

Full question: I am a retired teacher so I couldn’t get Social Security. I have 5 years of credit that I know of . I have worked as a substitute teacher for the last 2 and a half years, but I don’t think they took out money for Social Security. Is there a way I…

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Will my son’s SSI be affected if I am providing care under an AD Waiver?

Hi there, Thank you for reaching out regarding your son’s SSI benefits and the impact of providing a level of care under an AD Waiver. Generally, providing care under an AD Waiver should not directly affect your son’s SSI benefits. The SSI program is designed to provide assistance to individuals with limited income and resources,…

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