Hi there. Please enjoy reading our newsletter filled with news and information on Social Security and retirement. Please reach out at info@rssa.com with any feedback on our newsletters. We are always happy to hear from you!
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RSSA is SOC 2 Type 2 Compliant: RSSA has achieved SOC 2 Type 2 compliance, reaffirming our unwavering commitment to security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. This independent audit, conducted by Prescient Assurance, validates that our security controls are effectively designed and operating as intended over time—ensuring the protection of your data and the integrity of our platform.
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First year of Social Security benefits: What happens if you retire midyear?
Source: Investment News
What is the Social Security first year of retirement rule? Check out what Martha Shedden shares with Mark Rosanes at InvestmentNews about this special rule. Read the story.
How Trump’s Mass Deportations Could Lower the Social Security Trust Funds
Source: US News & World Report
Mass deportations under the Trump administration could reduce the Social Security Trust Funds by eliminating approximately 8.3 million unauthorized workers. Martha Shedden discusses this with writer Maryalene LaPonsie. Read the story.
Social Security in 2025: Experts Weigh in on How the Trump Administration’s Plans Could Reshape Retirement
Source: US News & World Report
The Trump administration’s plans could reshape retirement by proposing the elimination of taxes on Social Security payments, changes to Medicare, and more. Read what Martha Shedden and other experts have to say about it. Read the story.
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Question: My wife and I are Canadian citizens. She worked across the border and is soon to be eligible for Social Security. We have been married for 35 years and I am wondering if I qualify for spousal benefits.
Martha’s response: Yes, a Canadian spouse of a Canadian U.S. worker can usually claim Social Security benefits, including survivor, spousal, and dependent benefits. This is possible because of the Social Security agreement between the two countries. The agreement allows people to combine their work and residency history in both countries to qualify for benefits and can also reduce or eliminate restrictions based on citizenship or payment of pensions abroad…Read the full response.
Ask Martha your own question.
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President of this 3rd Generation Planning-First Firm Explains How “Behavior Drives Outcomes”
In this archived episode of Social Security: Answers from the Experts, Martha Shedden sits down with Lance Drucker and they have a long and in-depth discussion about the proper way to save for retirement, misconceptions that people have, and advice for handling Social Security. Lance Drucker is a financial advisor, author, and eminent speaker, and the President and CEO of Drucker Wealth Management. He authored the book “How to Avoid Bag Lady Syndrome: A Strong Woman’s Guide to Financial Peace of Mind.”
Listen to the episode or watch the recording on YouTube.
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💡 Social Security Spotlight: Representative Payees
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What is a representative payee? A representative payee is an individual who manages the payments and benefits on behalf of a beneficiary (Social Security or Supplemental Security Income beneficiary).
Why would someone need a payee? There are many reasons why a beneficiary would need a payee to manage their benefits such as being a minor or suffering from dementia.The Social Security Administration does not recognize Power of Attorneys (POA) and therefore the designated payee takes on the responsibility of managing this individual’s benefits.
How is one appointed as a payee? The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides beneficiaries with the ability to choose up to 3 designated payees in advance. The beneficiary will need to rank these 3 designated payees in order. If the first payee is unable to act as payee, the next payee on the list will be asked and so on. If a beneficiary needs a representative payee and is unable to choose one, the SSA will appoint someone. The SSA usually appoints a family member or friend as payee but if that option is unavailable, a qualified organization may be appointed.
What are payees responsible for? Payees are responsible for managing the payments on behalf of the beneficiary. Payees are responsible for keeping track of payments and how the payments are spent and/or saved. Payees may use the benefits to pay for essential items and services as well as personal items for the beneficiary. The payee may not use or spend the beneficiary’s payments for his/her own benefit in any way. Annual Representative Payee Reports are no longer required for certain payees. However, all payees should keep records as the SSA may request this information at any given time.
Learn more.
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📢 Social Security Administration Updates
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The latest update on the Social Security Fairness Act is that the SSA will start issuing retroactive payments in February and increase monthly benefit payments beginning in April to people whose benefits have been affected by the WEP and GPO. Learn more.
Acting Commissioner Lee Dudek issued a statement on February 19th reaffirming his commitment to agency transparency and the protection of benefits and information. Read the statement.
President Trump has already implemented changes to the Social Security Administration, including terminating the Retirement and Disability Research Consortium (RDRC) cooperative agreements, realigning the functions of the Office of Analytics, Review, and Oversight (OARO), and closing the agency’s Office of Transformation. Read about these changes.
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We had a great time attending ICMG’s Annual Conference in Tampa, Florida earlier in the month. Check out photos from the event on our Instagram.
Upcoming Events:
Medicarians 2025: RSSA is a proud partner of Medicarians. This year, over 4,000 professionals from across the senior health and wealth distribution ecosystem are expected to gather, March 31st – April 2nd in Las Vegas, to network, share insights, and learn from the best in the industry. Plus, RSSA’s Tom Drapala will be a notable speaker at the event. We will be at Booth #755. Be sure to stop by! Access our special discount code to attend.
MedicareCon 2025: RSSA is a proud sponsor of MedicareCon, the go-to event for Medicare agents who want to succeed in the industry. This year’s event will take place from April 14th-16th in Orlando, FL. As a sponsor, RSSA is able to offer a 25% discount on all ticket levels. Use promo code RSSA25 at checkout.
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Disclaimer: The National Association of Registered Social Security Analysts, Ltd. has no affiliation with the Social Security Administration or any other government agency. The Social Security information provided in this email and on the website does not and is not intended to constitute financial advice. All information, content, and materials available in this email and on this site are for general informational purposes only.
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