The Benefits Blog

The Benefits Blog provides expert insights, updates, and strategies on Social Security and Medicare, tailored for financial professionals looking to enhance their knowledge and better serve their clients. Stay informed with the latest developments and tips to maximize benefits for your clients.

Restricted Application on a Divorced Spouse's Record divorce ex-spousal benefit hey marc! restricted applications Aug 23, 2024

I know in the NSSA® class in Kansas City you said that someone could still do a Claim and Suspend (really means Restricted Application!) on a Divorced spouse. I think I had it come up recently at a SS workshop, asking if a person could do a Restricted application on a Divorced spouse.

Yes, a divorc...

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Issues Downloading XML Files from SSA.gov: What to Do? hey marc! Aug 21, 2024

I have a client who is unable to download his XML files from SSA.gov.  He currently has filed for, and was approved for, disability benefits due to start in February (although he did just get a call saying his claim was rejected – that might be a whole other issue!).  Anyhow, I know the SSA system i...

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Why a Spousal Benefit May Not Apply if Your Own Social Security Benefit Is Higher full retirement age (fra) hey marc! primary insurance amount (pia) spousal benefit boost spousal benefits Jul 26, 2024

I have someone who was told by SSA that if she took SSA based on her spouse’s record, she would be able to receive $3,000 vs her own record of $2,000 but SSA was unable to verify SSA said she would have to retire first and then come back for the real numbers. 

In this situation, it appears that the...

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Become a National Social Security Advisor (NSSA®) Certified Professional baby boomers maximizing benefits Jul 24, 2024

How confident are you in your knowledge of the Social Security Retirement program? Can you effectively guide your clients to understand and maximize their Social Security benefits? Or do you find yourself hesitating when clients have questions about Social Security strategies? Perhaps you even direc...

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Can You Buy Social Security Credits? hey marc! social security credits Jun 21, 2024

Someone asked me if his wife could buy credits to hit the 40 needed for social security. Is that a thing? Seems unrealistic to me and everything I’ve read suggests that is incorrect.

No, Social Security credits cannot be purchased. Credits are earned only through income from work. The Social Securi...

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Challenges with Social Security Spousal Benefits: What to Do Next full retirement age (fra) hey marc! spousal benefits Jun 13, 2024

My sister was a stay-at-home mom. She has planned to take half of her husband’s SS benefit when she got to FRA. You told me she should go to the SS Office. She did that today and they informed her that they have not done spousal benefits for 3 years. They told her to sign up on her own online and so...

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Switching from Retirement Benefits to Survivor Benefits for a Divorced Spouse divorce full retirement age (fra) hey marc! primary insurance amount (pia) surviving divorced spouse benefit Jun 04, 2024

Quick question. I have a client who will be turning 62 in January.  SS retirement benefit is around $750, and she makes around $16,000 a year income. Her ex-husband is deceased. They were married over 30 years. His death PIA is over $3,000 per month. Ex-husband had not filed for SSB before he died. ...

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Annual Earnings Test Adjustments for Retirement, Spousal, and Survivor Benefits annual earnings test (aet) full retirement age (fra) hey marc! spousal benefits survivor benefit May 22, 2024

The heart of the question relates to the adjustment at FRA relating to benefits withheld due to the Annual Earnings Test.  Does that adjustment occur with only retirement benefits, or will that adjustment apply also to survivor or spousal benefits as well?

When Social Security benefits are withheld...

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Handling Overpayment Due to Government Pension (WEP) Impact on Social Security hey marc! windfall elimination provision (wep) May 22, 2024

A client worked for the city for 35 years. He receives a sizable government pension.  Client just received a letter indicating that he is overpaid due to the government pension (WEP). Do you have any suggestions regarding repayment to SSA?. Client is 71 years old.

Your client’s overpayment issue wi...

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Why the 2/3 GPO Offset Might Affect Your Survivor Benefits with a PERS Pension government pension offset (gpo) hey marc! May 16, 2024

I have a lady who lost her husband in February this year.  She is on PERS, so she has a non-taxed pension.  Here are the numbers:  Survivor DOB 12/23/1943  Husband DOB 07/13/1937  Husband Date of Death 2/4/2024  She receives $1,296/month from PERS  His SS income was $1,580/month  Seems to me that, a...

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