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…

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.

Hello, To qualify for Social Security benefits, you must first be a U.S. citizen or lawfully living in the United States. Then, you must have earned a total of 40 or more “credits.” These credits are legally known as Quarters of Coverage. A credit is the basic unit to determine whether one is insured under…

Hello, If you were born in 1953 or earlier, then yes you may. This is a couple’s filing strategy known as filing a restricted application and it is in the process of being phased out by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015. The name comes from the fact that a person restricts their application to…

Hi there, Yes, you can change your mind, and this is known as withdrawing your application. You can reapply later. If you change your mind about starting your benefits, you can cancel your application for up to 12 months after becoming entitled to retirement benefits. If you are already entitled to Medicare, you may choose to…

Hi there, The Social Security Administration uses your highest 35 years of earnings, after adjusting for inflation, to calculate your benefit amount. If you do not have 35 years of earnings, zeros will be used for the years with no earnings. This is not uncommon at all. In your case, you will have 6 years…