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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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Is it true that I can’t receive a survivors benefit because of my pension?

Full question: Social Security said I’m not eligible for my deceased husbands benefit because I receive a pension from a government agency. We were married 53 years, and I am 71 and receive my own social security as well as the pension. Do I have grounds to appeal their decision? Hi there, There are two…

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How will I know what my Social Security benefit will be if I don’t have 40 quarters of credit?

Full question: I’m a retired State of California employee and drawing a good pension. As a CalPERS member, I didn’t contribute to SS during my 28+ years working for the government agency in CA. I am 61 now and short one (1) quarter of qualifying for SS. (39qtrs) Is there a way to get a…

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Are my Medicaid waiver payments counted as earned income?

Full question: I care for my adult disabled children in my home, and I receive Medicaid waiver payments through the IRIS Program in the state of Wisconsin for doing so. Our fiscal agent is iLIFE in Milwaukee, WI. I’ve been a caregiver with the IRIS Program since 2013 when our youngest turned 18. I’ve always…

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I am retired from military and police department. How will the GPO and WEP affect me if I collect a spousal benefit?

Full question: I am retired military and I retired from a Police Department that didn’t pay into Social Security. How would the GPO and WEP affect me if I was to collect a spousal benefit based on my wife’s earnings? Hi there, We are assuming that if the Police Department did not pay into Social…

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Can I switch to ex-spousal benefits at my FRA?

Full question: I am 62, was married to my ex-spouse for 22 years, been divorced for 9 years, am not remarried, and have no dependents. My ex-spouse is a high earner and is 61 years old. My Social Security benefits are less than 50% of my ex-spouse benefits. I want to apply to receive my…

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Do you advise on coordinating benefits between Spain’s Social Security system and the US Social Security system?

Hi there, Yes, we can help provide you with the information needed to coordinate with foreign countries. The US has “totalization agreements” with a number of other countries that coordinate Social Security coverage and benefit payments for individuals who have worked in both countries. You can learn more here. And for personalized advice, you can…

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