Hi Pamela! Happy Thanksgiving! Before you head into the holiday, here are the latest Social Security updates and insights to wrap up your month. Enjoy November’s Roundup!
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Still Working While Receiving Social Security? A Financial Adviser’s Guide to the Earnings Test
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NARSSA’s Martha Shedden contributes an article to Kiplinger explaining how the earnings test works, how it can affect monthly benefits, and what individuals need to understand to navigate it smoothly.
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Social Security touts backlog reductions, sharp drop in wait times
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Martha Shedden told TheStreet that “[NARSSA] welcomes continuing improvements in staffing and technology at the SSA that provide Americans with more personalized assistance… and resolutions with applications and claiming issues.”
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4 Social Security Secrets That Boost Your Monthly Benefits
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Laurie Bodisch, RSSA® is quoted in Yahoo explaining that you don’t have to stop working to claim Social Security.
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Will the 2026 Social Security COLA be Enough to Cover Seniors’ Rising Costs?
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Jim Komoroski, RSSA® is featured in U.S. News & World Report sharing why the 2026 COLA increase may offer less relief than many expect.
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The RSSA® Program Has Been Upgraded!
The new and improved RSSA® Program features a modern, easy-to-use platform that’s intuitive, mobile-friendly, and streamlined. Coursework is now more interactive, with flashcards, visuals, and comprehension checks to help reinforce key concepts along the way. Plus, the final exam experience has been enhanced with OctoProctor, providing a smooth, secure, and fully supported testing process.
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I will be 65 in February 2026. My spouse died fifteen years ago at age 54. Can I take a spousal benefit through Social Security at age 65 and then survivor benefit at full retirement age? My spouse’s benefit will be considerably more than mine. I earn $32,000 annually.
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If your spouse was still alive you would be eligible to collect spousal benefits, based on their earnings record, if those benefits were greater than your own retirement benefits.
Since your spouse has passed away, you are now eligible for survivor benefits. You have several options at age 65 for claiming these benefits. You may choose to begin collecting the survivor benefit and later switch to your retirement benefit when it becomes larger, up to age 70. Or you can first collect your retirement benefit and later switch to the survivor benefit when it reaches the highest amount at your FRA.
Since you are younger than your FRA of 67 and still working, any Social Security benefits you collect will be subject to the earnings test thresholds and some of your benefit will be withheld above this limit…
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Social Security Administration Updates
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SSA Highlights FY 2025 Service Improvements
The Social Security Administration released its end-of-year update to Congress, outlining major gains in service delivery. SSA reported delivering over 3.1 million payments under the Social Security Fairness Act ahead of schedule, significantly improving call-center wait times, reducing disability backlogs, and expanding 24/7 access to the My Social Security portal with a notable increase in online transactions. These improvements reflect ongoing efforts to modernize operations and better support beneficiaries.
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SSA Announces a 2.8% COLA for 2026
The Social Security Administration announced a 2.8% Cost-of-Living Adjustment reflecting inflation measured by the CPI-W. This increase will take effect in January 2026 for most beneficiaries. The average retired worker&rsqursquo;s benefit will rise from $2,015 to $2,071 per month, while the maximum benefit for someone retiring at full retirement age increases from $4,018 to $4,152 per month.
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Experts Weigh in on How the Trump Administration’s Plans Could Reshape Retirement
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Frank Garcia, RSSA® is quoted in U.S. News & World Report where he shared his perspective on the growing pressures facing Social Security and the potential policy changes ahead.
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Older Parents May Be Missing Out on a Social Security Benefit That Could Keep Their Mortgage Manageable
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Caroline Raker, RSSA® is quoted in Realtor.com sharing how some retirees and grandparents may qualify for a dependent child benefit to help stretch their income.
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New Opportunity for RSSAs
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We’re expanding our national presence and looking for RSSAs interested in speaking, presenting, or sharing their expertise.
Apply to join our new RSSA Webinar Series as a featured guest, or apply for the RSSA Speaker Network to represent NARSSA at industry events, workshops, conferences, and corporate programs.
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©2025 National Association of Registered Social Security Analysts Ltd. All Rights Reserved
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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