Survivor Benefits

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When I switch from my husband’s survivor benefits to my own retirement benefit, will a month of payment be withheld?

Full question: I’m switching from my husband’s survivor benefits to my own and I want to know if they’re going to withhold a month. Hi there, No. When you switch from a survivor benefit to your own retirement benefit, the Social Security Administration will not withhold a month of payment. Take care, Martha

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What should I do if the Social Security Administration is using the GPO against me despite having a foreign pension?

Full question: SSA are refusing to acknowledge that my U.K. pension does not trigger the GPO when I applied for survivor benefits. I have highlighted the relevant section to them. What should be my next step? Hi there, Foreign pensions are not considered as government pensions for purposes of the GPO provision, as specified in…

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Will my deceased husband’s foreign pension affect my survivor benefit?

Full question: I, the beneficiary, am eligible to receive a part of my deceased husband’s UK widow’s clergy pension. Will it affect my survivor Social Security benefit?. Hello, No, it will not for two reasons. If you are collecting a pension benefit based on someone else’s earnings (your husband), the Government Pension Offset (GPO) rule…

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Can I collect disability and survivor benefits at the same time?

Full question: I am soon to be 65 in September. I am drawing disability. I met with a Social Security agent in 2019 and asked if I could apply for Survivor’s benefits, because my husband died in 2012. He told me I could not have both disability and Survivor’s Benefits. Is that true? Hi there,…

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Will my pension from the United Kingdom affect my U. S. Social Security survivor benefits?

Full question: Prior to becoming a US citizen I lived and worked in the UK and paid National Insurance contributions. My husband passed away after we had been living in the US for a number of years and I receive survivor benefits (at age 63). At FRA I think I would qualify for a UK…

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How will my foreign pensions impact the survivor benefits I receive?

Full question: I am collecting my deceased spouse’s benefits and I am eligible for a UK state pension and a UK teaching pension. How will these pensions apply or not apply to me? Thank you very much. Hello, There are two rules related to pensions and Social Security and they affect Social Security benefits in…

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