Making Ends Meet

questions & answers

Question: I currently receive my deceased spouses SS benefits, am I also eligible to receive some of my benefits when I retired?

Answer:

1. Nothing keeps you from getting own Social Security benefit
·         If you’ve worked for at least 10 years and earned a minimum of 40 work credits, you are vested in the Social Security system.
·         Once you reach age 62, you will be eligible for your own Social Security benefit whether you’re married or not and whether your husband collects Social Security or not.
·         Your retirement benefit is figured the same way a man’s retirement benefit is figured. It’s based on a percentage of your average monthly wage using a 35-year base of earnings. If you don’t have 35 years of earnings, we must substitute “zero” years to reach the 35-year base.
·         If you become disabled before your full retirement age, you might qualify for Social Security disability benefits if you’ve worked and paid Social Security taxes in five of the preceding ten years.
·         If you also get a pension from a job where you didn’t pay Social Security taxes (e.g., a civil service or teacher’s pension), your Social Security benefit might be reduced.
 
 

QUESTIONS

  • I currently receive my deceased spouses SS benefits, am I also eligible to receive some of my benefits when I retired?

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FIND LEGAL HELP

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OTHER LEGAL RESOURCES

  • State Bar of Arizona
    www.azbar.org
  • Maricopa County Bar
    www.maricopabar.org
    Referral number 602-257-4434
  • Pima County Bar
    www.pimacountybar.org
    Referral number 520-623-4625
  • National Domestic Violence Hotline
    800-799-7233
  • Bankruptcy Court Self Help Center
    866-553-0893
  • Certified Legal Document Preparer Program
    Link

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