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HelpWithMySocialSecurity.com is a blog intended to give you information on Social Security topics. Neither the blog, nor Jim Saulnier and Associates, LLC, are in any way approved, endorsed, or authorized by the Social Security Administration.
Jim Saulnier and Associates, LLC is a retirement planning firm that can assist you with your Social Security concerns.

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IRMAA Brackets
A reader wonders whether their lower 2024 income will automatically reduce their 2026 IRMAA surcharge (even though it doesn’t qualify for an SSA-44) or whether they must contact the Social Security Administration. “My 2024 income decreased, not for any of the reasons listed on the SSA-44 form. I simply didn’t do Roth conversions in 2024. Will the Social Security Administration automatically reduce my 2026 IRMAA surcharges, or do I need to contact them? My 2024 MAGI qualif
Chris Stein, CFP®
Jan 73 min read


Coordinating Spousal Benefits
A reader from Texas asks when his spouse can file for her spousal Social Security benefit after he submitted his own application. “I will turn 70 in March 2026, so I applied online in November 2025 for my Social Security retirement benefit to start next March. I want to maximize my delayed retirement credits and benefit from the 24% growth on the principal that funds my future payments. I have left enough time for Social Security to review and approve my application. Here
Chris Stein, CFP®
Dec 12, 20253 min read


Delayed Retirement Credits
A reader from Pennsylvania asks about how delayed retirement credits are calculated based on specific months, and what to consider when not claiming exactly at one's Full Retirement Age (FRA) or at age 70. "My friend, who is married filing jointly, hits his FRA in March 2026, at 66 years 10 months. He was going to claim at FRA, but now wants to delay to stay around AGI $150K for 2026 to get the entire senior bonus exemption/deduction. I've heard Chris say that when not claim
Chris Stein, CFP®
Nov 21, 20255 min read


Calculating Spousal Benefits
A reader asks why his spouse's Social Security spousal benefit is less than half of his full benefit amount. "I hope you can shine some...
Chris Stein, CFP®
Oct 4, 20253 min read


Survivor Benefits with Missing ex-Spouse
A reader asks how to qualify for survivor benefits if her ex-husband has been missing for seven years. “I am currently 63 and plan on...
Chris Stein, CFP®
Apr 25, 20254 min read


Exploring Spousal Benefits
A reader from Colorado asks how spousal benefits are calculated when one spouse took Social Security early, and the other has a Colorado...
Chris Stein, CFP®
Apr 11, 20254 min read


Correcting Social Security Records
A reader from Colorado asks about fixing gaps in her Social Security record. "I was shocked to find my ex-husband did not file Social...
Chris Stein, CFP®
Mar 27, 20254 min read


Spousal Benefits and Inflation
A reader from Ohio asks how inflation adjustments apply when a reduced Social Security benefit converts to a spousal benefit. “If my...
Chris Stein, CFP®
Mar 7, 20253 min read


Social Security for Overseas Workers
A reader from North Dakota asks about earning enough Social Security credits while working overseas and how this impacts Medicare...
Chris Stein, CFP®
Feb 21, 20254 min read


Family Maximum Benefit
A reader from Missouri asks about factoring the family maximum benefit into the decision of when to start taking Social Security. “How...
Chris Stein, CFP®
Feb 7, 20253 min read


Applying for Child in Care Benefits
A reader from California wonders if his wife is eligible for Social Security while taking care of an adult disabled child if the reader...
Chris Stein, CFP®
Dec 6, 20244 min read


Dual Citizenship and Benefit Payments
A reader from Michigan asks if dual citizenship will affect Social Security benefits. "Can I continue to receive my Social Security...
Chris Stein, CFP®
Nov 22, 20243 min read


Survivor Benefits Under Special Circumstances
A reader from Illinois asks for advice on filing Social Security survivor benefits when the deceased spouse passed away before Full...
Chris Stein, CFP®
Oct 24, 20246 min read


Accessing a Benefit Estimate as a Survivor
A reader from Ohio looks for clarity on their Social Security benefits since they are already collecting survivor benefits. "I was...
Chris Stein, CFP®
Oct 10, 20244 min read


Adult Child Disability Payments
A reader from Tennessee asks how his adult child's disability benefit and wife's child-in-care benefit will be affected if the earnings...
Chris Stein, CFP®
Sep 27, 20244 min read


Document Name Discrepancies
Chris describes a situation where he helps someone who files for Social Security and Medicare after spending most of his life going by a...
Chris Stein, CFP®
Sep 5, 20243 min read


Child-in-Care Benefits
A reader looks for clarification on claiming a "child-in-care" Social Security benefit. "I am a 61-year-old ‘almost divorced’ female....
Chris Stein, CFP®
Aug 23, 20244 min read


Suspending Social Security Benefits
A reader from Maryland would like help with the pros and cons of suspending Social Security benefits to earn delayed retirement credits....
Chris Stein, CFP®
Aug 9, 20244 min read


Social Security and Non-Covered Pensions
A reader from Colorado asks if her pension benefit will reduce her spouse's Social Security benefit. "No one can answer this question: I...
Chris Stein, CFP®
Jul 26, 20244 min read


Earnings Test for Auxiliary Benefits
A reader from North Dakota wonders if his children's Social Security benefits will be reduced by him working longer. "If I retire at 62...
Chris Stein, CFP®
Jul 12, 20242 min read
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