I am a 71 year old widow with my own SSI benefit (more than the half I would have received from my husband’s) and I’m wondering if I married a 67 year old man who receives SSDI benefits, would my benefits be penalized? We have no dependent children and any eligible dependents.

Hi,

Not if you're drawing Social Security and not Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Marriages occurring at age 60 or later do not affect either Social Security widow's benefits or retirement benefits based on your own work record.

My mother is one credit short to receive Social Security. She was a stay at home mom and worked very little over the years. Is it worth setting her up a business (like dog walking) for a year to earn that extra credit?

Hi,

I can't say for sure without knowing more about your mother's situation. For example, if she could qualify for spousal or survivor benefits on a current or prior spouse's record then there may be little or no advantage in qualifying for benefits on her own record.

Can I hold social security liable for not telling me about how u lose percentage if u collect a 6 month lump sum money

Hi,

I am divorced and paying child support for a disabled child. I'm ready to retire but the child support is more than my SS benefits. I know the child can get DAC if my ex wife applies ( she has guardianship ) How is all this going to affect me. Does child support stop when I retire ?

Thanks !

Hi,

Hi Larry,
I am a Canadian engineer who worked in Canada 8 years and currently in USA since June 2012. According to Totalization Agreement between USA and Canada I am entitled to receive retirement benefit from SSA.
I was born in June 1951.
I already get pension (CP) $180 USD monthly from Canada which is considered pension from non-covered employment and which reduces my Social Benefit under WEP law.
I applied for Retirement Benefits to start in Jan 2018.

How will my husband be able to collect on my SS(if I die first!!) when he is from Costa rica
thanks in advance!!!

Hi,

Assuming that your husband would qualify to receive benefits on your record and he's living in Costa Rica, he could file a claim with Social Security's Federal Benefit Unit in Costa Rica. Address information can be found on Social Security's website: https://www.ssa.gov/foreign/foreign.htm.

You indicated Social Security could provide me with information about an ex-spouse; such as whether they are deceased (to file for survivor benefits) and whether any of them (more than one) were collecting benefits on my earnings record. I called them and after numerous questions about MY past employment, etc., they said they could not verify my ID, and I needed to come in their office in person, with an ID, and a copy of my marriage license.
Is this SOP, (standard operating procedure) for SSA?

My parents social security and disability benefits are $75 too much for them to qualify for Medicaid. The expense of Medicare is causing extreme financial burden due to multiple health problems. Is there a way to reduce their benefits?

Hi,

My dad received his social security check on March 30th because the 1st was on a Sunday. He passed away on March 31st. Will social security take back his benefits?

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.

My husband died suddenly at age 51, I was 53. I had a 15 year old for whom I received a benefit for 2-1/2 years until age 18. I did not know about widow's benefits until someone told me I could collect them at age 62 which is what I did. So I am now 69 and collected a widows benefit from age 62 until last year so at which time I switched over to mine own. Today someone said I could have collected a widows benefit from the date he passed away. I never knew this and so did not collect for the 9 years until I turned age 62. May I go back and collect the 9 years I did not collect.