The Benefits Blog

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...

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...

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. ...

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...

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...

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...

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?

The adjustment for benefits withheld due t...

Can someone remain on SSDI and Medicare when returning to work? Circumstance: 30-year-old male currently on Social Security Disability due to 3 kidney transplants (1998, 2005, 2019). This fall he returned to work part-time in a warehouse in a temporary seasonal job ending this month, and wonders if ...

I have a client, widower (July, 2016), has been drawing a surviving spouse benefit since he was eligible and just turned 70 on March 1, 2024.  He is wants to switch over to his work record, which he has been delaying. My question is, will he be able to back date his election to his own work record u...

Adapted from Kiplinger’s Retirement Report by Catherine Siskos

The pandemic that shuttered businesses and left 40 million Americans unemployed also means fewer dollars flowing into Social Security’s coffers. What does this economic downturn mean for people already collecting benefits or those who h...