Someone wonders whether their survivor benefits would be based on their wife's age-70 amount or her Full Retirement Age amount. "My wife is 16 years older than me. She waited until age 70 to collect her Social Security benefits. (She was born in 1949.) I am now approaching 62. If she passes before me, are survivor benefits calculated as if my wife started her Social Security benefits at age 70 or at her Full Retirement Age?" When someone who was collecting Social Securi

Someone from Indiana asks whether her husband’s early Social Security filing while still working would suspend her child-in-care benefits, and whether his benefit would be recalculated to his Full Retirement Age amount once the earnings limit no longer applies. "My husband will soon turn 64 and earns over $120,000 a year. He wants to work until his Full Retirement Age (FRA) at 67, and maybe longer. We have a disabled adult child. I will file for child-in-care benefits when

A reader from Arizona asks how to correct an earnings record that never credited them for work performed in 2017 (for which they have a W-2), and if they would receive retroactive back pay. "I retired in December 2016 and began receiving my Social Security benefit in January 2017. In December 2021, the Social Security Administration told me they had overpaid me and that I had to repay about $15,000. After they underpaid me for five years, they reduced the amount to $10,000,

A reader from Texas asks what their Social Security benefit would be if they begin claiming before full retirement age, while still earning $100,000, and when the earnings test would lift. "I'd appreciate it if you could clarify my situation regarding Social Security benefits while working. I’m a Texas resident, born on 11/02/59, and work full-time with a $100,000 salary. Starting September 2nd, I will be at Full Retirement Age, and there will be no further deductions while

A reader from Pennsylvania asks about whether a significant other can access Social Security benefits. “Can I leave my Social Security to a significant other?" A significant other can typically only receive benefits from your Social Security if they are your spouse, dependent child, or dependent parent – which is different from the common use of the phrase “significant other.” If it’s a relationship where you're not married, that’s not how spousal or survivor benefits w

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

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

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

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...

A reader from Colorado asks how spousal benefits are calculated when one spouse took Social Security early, and the other has a Colorado...

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...

A reader from Ohio asks how inflation adjustments apply when a reduced Social Security benefit converts to a spousal benefit. “If my...

A reader from California wonders if his wife is eligible for Social Security while taking care of an adult disabled child if the reader...

A reader from Michigan asks if dual citizenship will affect Social Security benefits. "Can I continue to receive my Social Security...

A reader from Illinois asks for advice on filing Social Security survivor benefits when the deceased spouse passed away before Full...

A reader from Washington wonders if stock options should be counted toward earnings when considering Social Security. “My husband retired...

A reader from Colorado looks for clarification on the law regarding voluntary suspension of benefits. "I read the article "Delaying Your...

A reader from Texas looks for clarification on the rules surrounding the Social Security earnings limit for self-employed people. "My...

A reader from Michigan wonders about Social Security COLAs for ages 60-62 in high inflationary environments. "I was born in 1961, so my...

A reader from Washington State would like some clarity on backdating her Social Security benefits. “I am 70. I filed for Social Security...