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TheĀ 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.

Impact of Remarriage and GPO on Survivor Benefits government pension offset (gpo) hey marc! survivor benefit widow benefit windfall elimination provision (wep) Jan 26, 2024

Can you clarify for me. 65 female is drawing survivor benefit from her deceased husband. She remarried after age 60 to a man that has non covered pension and when he retired he included survivor benefit for her on his pension. Will GPO apply to her current survivor benefit from deceased husband...

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Updated 2024 Earnings Requirement for Social Security Credits hey marc! Jan 18, 2024

What is the updated figure to earn a SS credit in 2024? 

Yes, the amount required to earn a Social Security credit in 2024 has increased. In 2024, you need to earn $1,730 to earn one Social Security credit. This is up from $1,640 in 2023.

If you haven't already, it's a good idea to check...

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Can a Divorced Spouse Switch from Spousal Benefits to Her Own at Full Retirement Age? deemed filing ex-spousal benefit full retirement age (fra) hey marc! spousal benefits Jan 18, 2024

I have a client who is going to be 65 in Jan. She’s divorced and no longer speaks to her ex. He’s an immigrant, but has worked long enough to get SS and is a little older.  He is already receiving his benefit. Let’s say his benefit is $1,000 per month and she’s...

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Understanding How CalSTRS and Government Pensions Affect Social Security Benefits government pension offset (gpo) hey marc! windfall elimination provision (wep) Jan 17, 2024

One of our Social Security seminar attendees says she’s been told that her own Social Security benefit amount (from her own work record) will be reduced by half because her husband gets a pension from CalSTRS (teacher pension) due to Government Pension Offset rules (GPO).  It...

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Spousal Benefits for the Wife of an Incarcerated Ex-Husband divorce ex-spousal benefit hey marc! spousal benefits Jan 10, 2024

Will the wife of an incarcerated ex-husband be eligible for a spousal benefit on her ex-husband’s work history? Would it make a difference if they were not officially divorced?

 The wife of an incarcerated ex-husband may still be eligible for a spousal benefit on her ex-husband’s...

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Can a Divorced Client Claim a Survivor Benefit at Age 62? full retirement age (fra) hey marc! surviving divorced spouse benefit survivor benefit Jan 02, 2024

A divorced client was married to her husband for 25 years. He is 25 years older and neither of them ever remarried. He passed recently and she would like to know if she can claim a “Survivor Benefit”.  She is now 62 and eligible for a benefit of her own of $1,916 at her...

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Understanding Form SSA-2: Should You File for Ex-Spousal Benefits? deemed filing divorce hey marc! spousal benefits Dec 14, 2023

I have a client inquiring about the Form SSA-2. Her question is below:   “I understand there’s a form SSA-2 about collecting on your divorced spouse, that my daughter keeps telling me about. When I applied for Social Security, I did have to put in my information about being...

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Eligibility for Widow Benefits After Remarriage at Age 61 hey marc! survivor benefit Dec 13, 2023

I have a couple who married when the woman, Diana, was age 61.  She is age 64 and looking at retiring at the end of the year. Can she file for widow benefits since she married after age 61 or is the rule such that she needed to be receiving widow benefits before remarrying?

Remarriage after...

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Is a 403b Plan Without a Pension Subject to the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP)? hey marc! windfall elimination provision (wep) Dec 05, 2023

My client, Beth, worked 20+ years in a Social Security-covered job but has spent the last 10 years with a non-profit affiliated with Ohio State University, with no Social Security withholding. The employer does not offer a pension plan and is not part of the Ohio Public Employees Retirement...

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Navigate Social Security with NSSAĀ® Expertise Oct 18, 2023

As 78 million Baby Boomers approach or enter retirement, understanding the complexities of Social Security has never been more crucial. NSSA® is here to help individuals and professional advisors navigate the intricacies of Social Security through NAIFA’s "Planning Your Future" program....

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