Hi there. As we Spring forward, enjoy this fresh edition of our newsletter, filled with important Social Security and retirement updates. We’d love to hear from you—feel free to share your feedback at info@rssa.com.
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We are proud to have graduated from the AgeTech Collaborative™ from AARP® accelerator program. The last 8 weeks were a transformative experience. This milestone underscores RSSA’s commitment to empowering individuals and financial professionals with tools, education, and support to optimize Social Security benefits and promote financial wellness for aging populations.
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Man Loses Social Security, Medicare After Being Declared Dead
Source: Newsweek
A man was inaccurately declared as dead by the Social Security Administration. Discover what Martha Shedden and other experts have to say about this “uncommon” yet “inexcusable” situation. Read the story.
Trump Social Security Nominee Sparks Calls From Democrats for Investigation
Source: Newsweek
“Democratic lawmakers are calling for President Donald Trump’s nominee for the Social Security Administration (SSA) to undergo an investigation.” See what experts, including Martha Shedden, have to say about it. Read the story.
What is the Social Security Administration?
Source: US News & World Report
“It’s hard to escape hearing about the Social Security Administration nowadays.” Check out what you need to know about the SSA. Read the story.
Average Social Security Check by Age
Source: Bottom Line Inc
Check out Martha Shedden’s latest contribution to Bottom Line Inc. How much Social Security will one get? And what factors contribute to one’s benefit amount? Read the story.
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Question: My wife passed away in 2016. She was 53. I’m 63 and still working. Can I claim her benefits now and then claim mine at 70?
Martha’s response: Yes, you are eligible to claim the survivor benefits based on her earnings record any time after age 60 and then switch over to your retirement benefits at any age up to 70. Be aware however, that since you are younger than FRA, collecting benefits, and still working (have earned income), the earnings test will apply up to the month you turn FRA. The SSA will withhold a certain amount of your monthly Social Security checks depending on how much you earn over the threshold limits. The current earnings test threshold limits for 2025 are…Read the full response.
Ask Martha your own question.
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Trailblazing Women Lawyers Adding “Lustre” To Image Of Retired Career Women
In this archived episode of Social Security: Answers from the Experts, Martha Shedden sits down with retired lawyers Karen Wagner & Erica Baird and they discuss what the Lustre movement is all about. After retiring, Erica and Karen co-founded Lustre, a blog for retired career women who want to defy stereotypes and create a new paradigm for the next third of their lives.
Listen to the episode or watch the recording on YouTube.
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💡 Social Security Spotlight: Topic
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As Women’s History Month comes to a close, it’s important to highlight the unique financial challenges women face—particularly in retirement. Here’s what you need to know.
How does time away from the workforce impact women’s Social Security?
Since Social Security benefits are based on lifetime earnings, fewer years in the workforce can lead to lower benefits. Women who take career breaks for caregiving, for example, may experience a reduction in their overall earnings and, consequently, their retirement income.
Does the gender pay gap affect Social Security benefits?
Yes. In 2020, women earned 83 cents for every dollar earned by men. Because Social Security benefits are tied to earnings, lower wages directly result in smaller benefits in retirement.
How does living longer affect retirement for women?
Women typically live longer than men, which is a positive, but it also increases the likelihood of outliving retirement savings. Longer lifespans mean greater financial needs, making it essential for women to plan carefully for a secure future.
What Social Security rules should women be aware of?
It’s important for women to understand their eligibility for benefits such as spousal, ex-spousal, and survivor benefits. Knowing when and how to claim Social Security can help maximize lifetime benefits.
Can women overcome these financial challenges?
Absolutely! With proper planning and expert guidance—like working with an RSSA—women can make informed decisions and take control of their financial futures.
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📢 Social Security Administration Updates
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Social Security is making headlines! In just one month, the SSA released 15 press updates—bringing major changes you need to know. Here’s a quick summary:
Debt Collections Resume – Treasury Offset Program reinstated for pre-2020 debts.
Stronger Security Measures – Enhanced identity verification for benefit applications.
Overpayment Recovery Changes – Withholding rate increased to 100%, with hardship waivers available.
Efficiency & Cost Improvements – Updates to the eCBSV service to streamline verification and reduce costs.
With Social Security evolving rapidly, RSSA is here to keep you informed! Whether you need expert guidance for your own benefits or specialized training to assist clients, we’re ready to help.
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March has been a busy month of events including the Leaders and Managers Program (LAMP) event, the American Rehabilitation Counseling Association’s Virtual Symposium, and The National Rehabilitation Association’s Disability Employment Summit.
Next week we will be attending Medicarians 2025! RSSA is a proud partner of Medicarians. 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. Plus, RSSA’s Tom Drapala will be a notable speaker at the event. Visit us at Booth #755. Register with our special partner discount.
MedicareCon 2025 is coming up! 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. Visit us at Booth #53. As a sponsor, RSSA is able to offer a 25% discount on all ticket levels. Use promo code RSSA25 at checkout.
Stay up to date and see real-time photos from these events on our Instagram.
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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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