Social Security Benefits

Ask Martha

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
Or Ask a New Question

Can my wife apply for Social Security at age 62?

Full question: My wife is 57. If she applies for Social Security at age 62 will she get the higher of her SS benefits or 50% of mine (age 68). Also the 3:1 restriction before FRA – that amount will be added at FRA – so a person does not lose it – but it…

Read More

If I am still working and file 1099, what’s the best route to still pay into Social security?

Hello, Thank you for reaching out with your question about paying into Social Security while working as a 1099 independent contractor. As a self-employed individual filing a 1099, you are responsible for paying Social Security and Medicare taxes through self-employment taxes. This is done by filing an IRS Schedule SE (Form 1040) to report your…

Read More

Can I apply for spousal benefits once my husband’s SSDI converts to Social Security retirement benefits at his FRA?

Full question: I have a question regarding drawing on spousal benefits. Here is our scenario: My husband became eligible and started drawing on SSDI at age 61 in December 2021. He will reach FRA age in Sept 2027. (DOB Sept 1960). This is when his SSDI will convert over to SS retirement benefits. As a…

Read More

Can I file for ex-spousal benefits and not file for my own? What will be ex-spousal benefit be?

Full question: I am divorced over 10 years now. I am 65 divorced, single and my full retirement will be Nov 2027 and I have not filed for Social Security as of yet. My ex spouse will be 62 in Sept 2025. I meet all the required for ex Spouse benefits. Question 1 can I…

Read More

Can my husband collect spousal benefits now and switch to his own at age 70?

Full question: My husband and I are both retired. He is 68 and I am 62 and his salary has always been significantly higher than mine resulting in a higher benefit. I am planning on filing for Social Security this year at age 63 in July 2025. Can he file for spousal benefits? My husband…

Read More

How do I switch from survivor benefits to my own?

Original question: How do I switch to my Social Security benefits as I’m currently receiving my late wife’s? Hello, If you are currently receiving survivor benefits and wish to switch to your own retirement benefits, you will need to apply for retirement benefits separately. This can be done online, by phone, or in person at…

Read More

< Back