If I claim spousal benefits through my husband’s Railroad Benefits, will it make me claim my Social Security benefit too?

Full question: I am hoping you will be able to assist in answering a question related to spousal benefits that potentially may involve coordination between the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) and the Social Security Administration (SSA). I plan to take my full retirement benefits at age 67 through SSA. I am currently 62. I do…

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I am caring for a disabled child. Am I eligible for ex-spousal benefits if my ex has not collected yet?

Full question: Can you draw disability Social Security off of ex husband that isn’t drawing yet and you are taking care of his disabled child? Hello, Thank you for the question about divorced spousal benefits. If you are divorced and were married for at least 10 years you may be eligible for ex-spousal benefits. If…

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I am 63 and caring for my adult disabled child. Can I collect ex-spousal benefits now without penalty?

Full question: I am 63 caring for my adult disabled child full time. My ex spouse, his father, is 62 (we were married 19 years). Am I able to collect on his work record right now without early penalty (he is still working, not retired) ? Would that be at the 50% divorced spouse rate?…

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Will my foreign pension lower my American Social Security benefits? What about my spousal benefits?

Full question: If my spousal SS benefit is higher than SS benefit based on own contribution (> 40 credit) would a foreign pension of a country with a totalization agreement lower US social security benefits? Hi, That is a great question. Generally speaking, foreign pensions do not affect Social Security spousal and survivor dependent benefits….

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Can I receive a spousal benefit if I have a German pension?

Full question: I am English and live and work in Germany. I was married to a US citizen for 33 years. Will I be entitled to 50% if his social security when I retire at 67 ( 7 years from now) . I will receive a Small German Pension based on my mandatory contributions. Hi…

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My ex-spouse recently died. Can I switch from ex-spousal benefits to survivor benefits based on his record?

Full question: I received my ex-husbands social security until mine was more than what I was entitled to with his. He died a few months ago and my disabled adult child got an increase in her social security. Am I allowed to collect survivor benefits since she lives with me and I take care of…

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