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.

Can a Sibling Receive Social Security Benefits from a Sibling’s Work Record? hey marc! Nov 22, 2021

Do you know of any situation where a sibling can receive a payment off their siblings work record?Ā  For example, if sibling A is providing 50% or more for siblings B support?Ā  Can sibling B file a claim for a benefit based on sibling A’s work record?

There are no benefits under Social Security to d...

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Why Delayed Retirement Credits (DRCs) Aren’t Reflected Immediately delayed retirement credits (drc) full retirement age (fra) hey marc! Oct 13, 2021

We have a client who called SSA. My primary question is how could the client be getting the exact same amount of Benefit if he files in November compared to filing at FRA this past July. To me it doesn’t make sense but she swears she called three times. Three SSA representatives, and they all said t...

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Do Surviving Spouse Benefits Include Delayed Retirement Credits (DRCs)? delayed retirement credits (drc) hey marc! primary insurance amount (pia) spousal benefits Oct 13, 2021

I understood that surviving spouse benefits include any Delayed Retirement Credits (DRCs) earned by the deceased. However, I found information online stating that if a person dies before age 70 after delaying benefits past Full Retirement Age, the surviving spouse only receives benefits based on the...

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Maximizing Social Security Benefits: Widow's Benefits vs. Delayed Retirement Credits delayed retirement credits (drc) hey marc! widower benefit Oct 06, 2021

I have a client who is considering waiting to age 70 to draw her benefit. Her husband started drawing his benefit at age 66.Ā  There are 9 years difference in their ages. He is currently 67 and she is 58. If she postpones this decision and he dies before she reaches age 70, is she able to draw off hi...

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Why You Might Not See the ā€˜Start Your Application’ Button for Spousal Benefits hey marc! social security applications spousal benefits Oct 06, 2021

I ran into a Social Security situation the other day and I was surprised about what happened. I had a client who was planning on taking a spousal benefit and I thought we could do the application online. When they came to our office for our appointment, we helped them log in and I couldn’t see the ā€œ...

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Marriage Certificate Requirements for Social Security Survivor Benefits hey marc! spousal benefits surviving spouse Sep 16, 2021

Do you know if Social Security requires when a spouse dies that the surviving spouse has to present a marriage certificate to SS to receive survivor benefits?

If the spouse had received any benefits from the deceased individuals record prior to his death a marriage certificate is not needed.Ā  If sh...

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Can a Spouse Switch to Benefits on Their Partner's Record? hey marc! restricted applications spousal benefits Aug 30, 2021

I recently received my NSSA Advisor certificate and I have a client that has a question about social security. The client is 69 and his wife is 74. He plans to take his social security at 70. With the Restricted Application is she able to switch and file on her spouse’s benefits?

In this situation,...

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Can a 61-Year-Old with Health Issues Apply for Social Security Disability? hey marc! social security disability insurance (ssdi) Aug 03, 2021

I have client that is asking questions about her 61-year-old father.Ā  Apparently he had an emergency quadruple bypass back in May. She wants to know if he’s able to claim social security disability or will he have to wait once he turns 62 in December? Also, what happens if he goes back to work?

You...

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Situational Social Security: Retroactive Benefits full retirement age (fra) retroactive benefits spousal benefits Jul 14, 2021

We emphasize SITUATIONAL SOCIAL SECURITY in the NSSAĀ® Certificate program, as all of your clients are UNIQUE. Your clients may beĀ single, married with wide age differences, married with narrow age differences, divorced, surviving spouses, eligible to file a Restricted Application, public employees, ...

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Can Disability Increase Social Security Benefits to Full PIA? hey marc! primary insurance amount (pia) social security disability social security disability insurance (ssdi) Jun 09, 2021

My client is needing to get income now (64 years old) and just applied for SS.Ā  He plans on working and making under the $22,000 amount so he does not subject himself to the earnings test.Ā  If he applies for disability and is accepted, will he get bumped up to his full PIA?

Yes, if your client appl...

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