Ask Martha

Your Questions Answered

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.

401k Abroad Adult Disabled Child Applying for Benefits Caring for children Child Benefits Child Support Claiming Strategies COLA Death Dependents Disability Disability Disabled Children Divorce Earned Income Earnings Earnings Test Eligibility for Benefits Ex-spousal benefits Family Benefits Foreign Pensions FRA 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 Retroactive benefits Social Security Administration Social Security Benefits Social Security Terminology Spousal Benefits SSDI SSI Substantial Gainful Activity Survivor Benefits Switching benefits Taxation Teaching Pension Totalization Agreements Underpayment Veterans WEP Withdrawing Application Work Credits Working Working with an RSSA
Ask Your Question

Do I need to notify RRB of my spouse’s death?

Full question: My hubsand died on his birthday, December 23 and was scheduled to get pension and annuity January 1. Will it still be disbursed or do I have call RRB immediately so they can adjust the amount? Hi there, When a spouse dies it is always important for the survivor to notify any agency…

Read More

Will the increase in minimum wage in 2024 affect my SSDI benefits?

Full question: Hi Martha, I collect SSDI benefits each month and work part-time. The Minimum wage will increase in 2024. Will this affect my SSDI benefits? Hi there, Starting in 2024, SSDI recipients will be allowed to earn up to $1,550 monthly from a job without putting their benefits at risk. This is up from…

Read More

Will my Social Security benefits be garnished if I owe child support?

Full question: My client is 60 years old. Social Security at age 62 years is $900 month. He owes child support to state. Will they garnish his Social Security check? How much of it? Hi there, Yes, the Social Security Administration is allowed to withhold current and continuing Social Security payments to enforce one’s legal…

Read More

Will I get increased Social Security benefits for being a veteran?

Full question: Hi Martha, I want to apply for Social Security in April 2024 (66 and 6 months). I was told that I get increased Social Security benefits for being a vet (DD Form 214) on active duty between January 1957 to December 31, 2001. Do you have any information on that? Hello, From 1957…

Read More

I am still working. Am I eligible for survivor benefits?

Full question: My husband died in August 2023. Am I eligible for his retirement when I reach FRA? Also would I be eligible for survivor benefits at FRA? I am still working and my husband was receiving Social Security benefits. Hi there, The benefit received after a spouse has died is a survivor benefit. Survivor…

Read More

Am I eligible to collect Social Security if I live in Canada, but I worked in the U.S.?

Full question: My Sister lives in Canada, but has worked here in the United States since she was 28 and paid into Social Security. Is she eligible to collect? Hi there, To collect U.S. Social Security retirement benefits, she needs to have earned 40 credits, or quarters of coverage. Only 4 quarters/credits can be earned…

Read More