Will my younger spouse need to wait until FRA in order to claim my benefit as surviving spouse?
Full question: Does my younger spouse need to wait for her FRA in order to claim my benefit as surviving spouse? She will claim early at age 62 in 2031 while I am waiting to claim at age 70 in 2025. Hi there, If you were to pass away prior to your spouse claiming her…
Read MoreIs it true that you receive an 8 percent increase in benefits for each year you delay?
Full question: Is it misleading to say that you receive an 8% increase in benefits for each year you delay? 8% appears to be an average, but the actual annual increase is much less than 8%, according to my actual account. Hello, The 8 percent increase per year only applies to the years from full…
Read MoreWill my benefits be reduced if I work while collecting benefits?
Full question: I am 62 years old . If I start collecting social security now but continue working are my benefits going to be reduced or they will be the same as if I am not working ? Thank you Hi there, If you start collecting your retirement benefits and are still working, your benefits…
Read MoreWill my own Social Security benefits be more than my current railroad survivor benefits?
Full question: I am drawing the railroad widow benefits. I will be 70 next January. I worked many years and would collect a sizable Social Security check. How do I tell if it would be larger than the tier 1 check from my husband, or is that what I compare? Hi there, You can find…
Read MoreAm I entitled to survivor benefits if I got remarried, but divorced after 4 years?
Full question: I am a single woman, 62, caring for my disabled adult child who gets SSDI from his deceased father. Am I also entitled to survivor benefits if got remarried but divorced after 4 years? Hi there, If you were married for ten or more years to your disabled adult child’s father, you are…
Read MoreIf I apply to switch from survivor benefits to my own benefits, how long will it take to go into effect?
Hi there, You can make the decision of when you want to switch from survivor benefits to your own retirement benefits. You should file for those about three months prior to the date you want them to start to allow time for SSA to process the change. The first check in the new amount will…
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