Claiming Strategies

Ask Martha

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 Representative Payee Retroactive benefits Roadmap Software 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
Or Ask a New Question

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 More

Is 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 More

Can I work with an RSSA in a different state?

Full question: My and I are entering the retirement phase of our life. My wife is 64 and I am 62. We are both still working. We live in NC and we are interested in receiving a consultation in preparation and strategies to applying for our SSA benefits. But I am cautious instead focusing on…

Read More

How do I determine the best claiming strategy involving ex-spousal benefits?

Full Question: I am divorced born after 1954, and was married for more than 10 years. My ex-spouse has remarried while I have not, and while I do have some earnings to claim, claiming as an ex-spouse will provide the higher estimate. My concern is that while I have reached FRA, my ex-spouse won’t for…

Read More

When should I begin collecting my Social Security benefits?

Full question: Hello, I was told by an RSSA expert to begin my benefits in Jan. 2024 to avoid being penalized, and possibly losing out on, benefits. I work part-time but my monthly earnings are roughly $3k and the ceiling is around $1770. Should I begin benefits in Jan. 2024 where the first check would…

Read More

My wife is eligible for Railroad Retirement and Social Security. What are her options?

Full question: My wife is getting Railroad Retirement and is receiving $1,423 a month. Her Social Security statement says that she is eligible for $2,309 a month under Social Security. Can you please tell us what her options are if any at all? Thank you. Hello, Railroad retirement benefits and Social Security claiming strategies can…

Read More

< Back