Q & A
Do I have to pay taxes on my benefits?
Full question: I’m gathering everything I’ll need to file my taxes this month. Do I have to pay taxes on Social Security benefits? Also, where can I get a replacement 1099? Answer: Some people who get Social Security must pay federal…
Can I get spousal benefits instead of my own Social Security benefits?
Complete Question: My husband and I have been married for 38 years. He started collecting his Social Security at 62. After we saw what a big reduction he had to take for doing that, we thought it would be better…
How to Collect Child Support From an Ex’s Social Security Benefits
Q: “Can I collect unpaid child support from my ex-husband’s Social Security?” — Carol A: That depends on the kind of benefit your ex receives. If it’s Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you’re out of luck. But if he collects any…
I recently read a comment about Social Security and I want to know if it’s true…
Complete Question: Everyone is affected by the potential bankruptcy of Social Security – it’s all over the news. The disabled, the elderly, and those retiring in 20 years. I saw someone make a comment that I found disturbing. Since it…
I filed for Social Security 3 years ago, but now I don’t need it. Is there anything I can do?
Complete Question: I filed for my Social Security benefit at age 64 and now I’m 67. Obviously I had my benefit reduced and now, like many people, I had to get a job to supplement my income. To my surprise,…
My situation isn’t covered in Social Security’s Listing of Impairments…now what?
Complete Question: I was going to file for disability and found out that my issue is not on the Listing of Impairments that Social Security uses to determine whether or not you’re disabled. I know applying for disability is a…
How do I know if I qualify for ex-spouse benefits?
Complete Question: I’m 64 years old and not married, which I’m finding out limits my Social Security filing options. However, I recently found out that I could get ex-spouse benefits since I’m divorced. There’s one thing that concerns me, though.…
Can an ex-spouse get widow’s benefits?
Complete Question: Right now I’m getting ex-spouse Social Security benefits. I just found out that my ex-husband died a couple months ago. Is it possible for me to get widow’s benefits? I thought I’d ask first because I don’t want to…
Why is my Social Security benefit so low?
Complete Question: I will be 66 in a few months, but I went ahead and filed for Social Security. I figured my benefit wouldn’t be reduced very much by filing only a few months early, plus I retired from my…
Can I switch from my own benefit to spousal benefits?
Complete Question: I’m 62 years old and I started collecting Social Security, which is $900 per month. My husband is 70. He started his benefits at full retirement age and at that time, his benefit was $2,500. After I filed…