{"id":222,"date":"2020-06-16T14:07:00","date_gmt":"2020-06-16T14:07:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog-2023\/?p=222"},"modified":"2023-06-22T18:38:15","modified_gmt":"2023-06-22T18:38:15","slug":"15-social-security-secrets-that-retirees-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/15-social-security-secrets-that-retirees-need-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Social Security secrets that retirees need to know"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"222\" class=\"elementor elementor-222\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-ec3802b elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"ec3802b\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c86c248\" data-id=\"c86c248\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fe1e484 elementor-widget elementor-widget-template\" data-id=\"fe1e484\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"template.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-template\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"196\" class=\"elementor elementor-196\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-339b45e0 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"339b45e0\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3f771e94\" data-id=\"3f771e94\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-44435407 elementor-cta--skin-classic elementor-animated-content elementor-bg-transform elementor-bg-transform-zoom-in elementor-widget elementor-widget-call-to-action\" data-id=\"44435407\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"call-to-action.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/elementor\/css\/custom-pro-widget-call-to-action.min.css?ver=1764022918\">\t\t<a class=\"elementor-cta\" href=\"https:\/\/simplywise.app.link\/Iv0wVANrvfb\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-content-item elementor-cta__content-item elementor-icon-wrapper elementor-cta__icon elementor-view-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"far fa-lightbulb\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-cta__title elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item\">DID YOU KNOW?<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__description elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tRetirement is 99% easier when your paperwork is organized. \n\nJoin 250,000+ Americans securely storing their important receipts, bills &amp; documents with the SimplyWise app.\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__button-wrapper elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item \">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-cta__button elementor-button elementor-size-md\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tGet the App\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-72afb4b elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"72afb4b\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-efa3bf7\" data-id=\"efa3bf7\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ae66596 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ae66596\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.13.3 - 28-05-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p>Whether you\u2019ll rely primarily on Social Security benefits in retirement, or instead view benefits as a supplement to your retirement savings, understanding your eligibility and how to optimize the amount you receive is important. Here, we\u2019ve listed 15 of the most important things you\u2019ll need to know to do just that.<\/p><h3><b>1. There are three types of Social Security benefits<\/b><\/h3><p>When people think of Social Security, it\u2019s usually earned benefits that come to mind.<\/p><p>Those are the benefits you personally earn through working. But Social Security also extends benefits in some cases to spouses, ex-spouses and children.<\/p><p>The three main types of Social Security retirement benefits are:<\/p><ol><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/social-security-retirement-benefits\/\">Earned Benefits<\/a>, or those based on your own earnings record.<\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/guide-to-social-security-spousal-benefits\/\">Spousal Benefits<\/a>, or those based on your spouse\u2019s or\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/social-security-benefits-for-divorced-spouses\/\">ex-spouse\u2019s<\/a>\u00a0earnings record.<\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/guide-to-social-security-and-death\/\">Survivor Benefits<\/a>, or those based on your deceased spouse\u2019s earnings record.<\/li><\/ol><h3>\u00a0<\/h3><h3><b>2. You can optimize your earned benefits by waiting<\/b><\/h3><p>While non-disabled people can begin collecting their Social Security benefits at 62, your monthly benefit amount will increase for every month that you wait\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/social-security-benefits-by-age\/\">until turning 70 years old<\/a>. After that, the benefit does not increase. So if you can wait, you\u2019ll optimize your benefit amount by waiting until age 70.<\/p><h3><b>3. Don\u2019t delay spousal benefits, however<\/b><\/h3><p>There\u2019s no advantage to waiting to collect spousal benefits after you reach your full retirement age like there is with your own benefits. They\u2019re capped at 100%, so if you\u2019re planning on taking them, go ahead and do so when you reach\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/what-is-full-retirement-age-for-social-security\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">full retirement age<\/a>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4d7794c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4d7794c\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ee4a764\" data-id=\"ee4a764\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-00204aa elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"00204aa\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-1f3cb74\" data-id=\"1f3cb74\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-86a88fd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"86a88fd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3><b>4. Consider taking your spouse\u2019s benefits instead of yours<\/b><\/h3><p>If you are married, widowed or divorced, and earned less than your spouse, waiting to collect your own retirement benefit in order to maximize may be a bad choice. You may be better off taking your own retirement benefit at age 62, then switching to your spousal benefit starting at your full retirement age.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-0c189a5\" data-id=\"0c189a5\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8357378 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"8357378\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.13.3 - 28-05-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=\".svg\"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"542\" src=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Screen-Shot-2023-06-15-at-10.55.23-AM.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-226\" alt=\"spousal benefits retirement age\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Screen-Shot-2023-06-15-at-10.55.23-AM.png 691w, https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Screen-Shot-2023-06-15-at-10.55.23-AM-300x254.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e1fca70 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e1fca70\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ed08b5d\" data-id=\"ed08b5d\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a1ce990 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a1ce990\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3><b>5. Yes, you can collect your ex\u2019s benefits<\/b><\/h3><p>If you\u2019re divorced there are circumstances when you can collect spousal benefits based on your ex\u2019s earnings. First, you must\u2019ve been married at least 10 years before divorcing. Second, you must wait until your ex reaches age 62 in order to be able to claim their benefit. This means that if you are older than your ex and your ex was the higher earner, you\u2019ll be able to collect your reduced retirement benefit early without being forced to take your spousal benefit early, which would mean that it would be permanently reduced. Also, you won\u2019t be automatically deemed to be applying for spousal benefits when your ex reaches age 62. What\u2019s relevant for the deeming is the age he\/she was at the time you first apply for your retirement benefit.\u00a0<\/p><h3><b>6. You don\u2019t have to be 62 to receive survivor benefits<\/b><\/h3><p>To qualify for survivors benefits,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/planners\/survivors\/ifyou.html\">you must be a<\/a>:<\/p><ul><li>Widow or widower, age 60 or older (age 50 if you are disabled), who was married to the deceased for at least\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/OP_Home\/cfr20\/404\/404-0335.htm\">nine months<\/a><\/li><li>Widow or widower at any age who is caring for a deceased worker\u2019s child who is younger than age 16 or disabled\u00a0<\/li><li>Divorced spouse of the deceased (in some cases)<\/li><li>Minor or disabled child<\/li><li>Dependent parent of the deceased age 62 or older (in some cases)<\/li><li>Stepchild or grandchild of the deceased (in some cases)<\/li><\/ul><h3>\u00a0<\/h3><h3><b>7. You can still work while receiving survivor benefits<\/b><\/h3><p>You can still earn wages while you\u2019re receiving survivor benefits, with a caveat: If you haven\u2019t reached your full retirement age, some of your survivors benefits might be withheld. For 2020, $1 from your survivors benefits will be deducted for every $2 you earn above<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/pubs\/EN-05-10069.pdf\">\u00a0$18,240<\/a>.<\/p><p>Note that only wages count, not pensions, interest, investment earnings or other government benefits.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-b9022cc elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"b9022cc\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-11feada\" data-id=\"11feada\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-33384fd elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"33384fd\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-637cf33\" data-id=\"637cf33\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ccb614c elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ccb614c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"463\" src=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Screen-Shot-2023-06-15-at-11.06.39-AM.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-227\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Screen-Shot-2023-06-15-at-11.06.39-AM.png 660w, https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Screen-Shot-2023-06-15-at-11.06.39-AM-300x217.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-232d16b\" data-id=\"232d16b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5f6a6df elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5f6a6df\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3><b>8. Children can receive survivor benefits<\/b><\/h3><p>Kids can receive their deceased parent\u2019s Social Security benefits if they are<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/planners\/survivors\/onyourown.html\">\u00a0unmarried and younger than 18, or up to 19 if still in high school<\/a>. In addition, if the children are disabled, regardless of their age, and the disability occurred before they turned 22, they are eligible for survivors benefits. Adult children who are not disabled are not eligible to receive their parents\u2019 Social Security benefits.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-aaace2a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"aaace2a\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-a674c65\" data-id=\"a674c65\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-945287e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"945287e\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-060a63c\" data-id=\"060a63c\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4e6f8e2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4e6f8e2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\u00a0If you\u2019re raising your deceased spouse or ex-spouse\u2019s minor or disabled child, no matter how old you are, you also can receive survivors benefits. The child must be under age 16, unless he or she is disabled.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p><p>There are limits to how much one family can collect in Social Security benefits. These limits can get\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/oact\/cola\/familymax.html\">complicated<\/a>, but usually a family maximum will be between<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/policy\/docs\/ssb\/v75n3\/v75n3p1.html\">\u00a0150 and 188<\/a>% of the worker\u2019s basic Social Security benefit.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/social-security-benefits-for-divorced-spouses\/\"><b>Benefits paid to a divorced spouse<\/b><\/a>\u00a0don\u2019t count toward the family limit.<\/p><h3><b>9. Adopted children, stepchildren &amp; grandchildren can also qualify<\/b><\/h3><p>Adopted children are treated the same as biological children under the survivors benefits guidelines.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2010\/08\/27\/2010-21341\/entitlement-and-termination-requirements-for-stepchildren\">Stepchildren<\/a>\u00a0can receive survivors benefits if they were at least one-half supported by the stepparent who died.<\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/people\/parents\/\">Grandchildren<\/a>\u00a0can be eligible for benefits if their parents are disabled or have died and the grandchildren were living with the grandparent who died.<\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/pubs\/EN-05-10036.pdf\">Parents<\/a>, step parents or adoptive parents age 62 and older who are not eligible for their own benefits might be eligible for benefits if they were financially dependent on the deceased worker for at least half of their support. Marrying after the death might end your survivors benefits.<\/p><h3><b>10. It\u2019s possible to get benefits retroactively<\/b><\/h3><p>\u00a0In some cases, the Social Security Administration may pay\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/secure.ssa.gov\/apps10\/poms.nsf\/lnx\/0200204030\">survivor benefits retroactively<\/a>. Those situations include:<\/p><ul><li>Spouses younger than full retirement age who file for survivor benefits within one month of a spouse or ex-spouse\u2019s death can receive one month of retroactive benefits.<\/li><li>Widows or widowers who wait to file after they reach full retirement age can receive up to six months of retroactive benefits back to the month they reached full retirement age.<\/li><li>Disabled widows and widowers who file before age 61 are eligible for up to 12 months of retroactive survivor benefits.\u00a0<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-108d80b elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"108d80b\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-67facce\" data-id=\"67facce\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-9416748 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"9416748\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-fcf7c3b\" data-id=\"fcf7c3b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ef18e0f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ef18e0f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>11.\u00a0<b>Some parents are eligible to receive survivor benefits<\/b><\/h3><p>Social Security can pay benefits to surviving spouses and children, but under certain circumstances, also to a surviving parent. Read Social Security\u2019s fact sheet about\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.socialsecurity.gov\/pubs\/EN-05-10036.pdf\">Parent\u2019s Benefits<\/a>\u00a0for the details.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-d19ed15\" data-id=\"d19ed15\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8821c5f elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"8821c5f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"549\" src=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Screen-Shot-2023-06-15-at-11.10.10-AM.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-228\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Screen-Shot-2023-06-15-at-11.10.10-AM.png 665w, https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Screen-Shot-2023-06-15-at-11.10.10-AM-300x257.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-57ffee1 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"57ffee1\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-14d3952\" data-id=\"14d3952\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-de8af18 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"de8af18\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3><b>12. Widow &amp; widowers\u2019 survivor benefits don\u2019t always end with marriage<\/b><\/h3><p>While a surviving spouse\u2019s survivor benefits will end if they get remarried before age 60, benefits can continue for marriages after age 60.<\/p><h3>13.\u00a0Here\u2019s when you can apply for Social Security Disability Insurance<\/h3><p>Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are for people who are eligible for Social Security retirement benefits, but became disabled before they reached full retirement age. The number of work credits you need to qualify for SSDI depends on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/planners\/credits.html\">your age<\/a>\u00a0when you became disabled. The older you were, the more credits you\u2019ll need.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-0dbce43 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"0dbce43\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6e32875\" data-id=\"6e32875\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-fada91b elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"fada91b\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-cc48daf\" data-id=\"cc48daf\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-da929b9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"da929b9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"541\" src=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Screen-Shot-2023-06-15-at-11.11.54-AM.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-229\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Screen-Shot-2023-06-15-at-11.11.54-AM.png 683w, https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Screen-Shot-2023-06-15-at-11.11.54-AM-300x253.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-d8a4bf6\" data-id=\"d8a4bf6\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a31a56b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a31a56b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>You should apply for SSDI as soon as you become disabled so you don\u2019t lose out on any benefits. It can take as long as\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/pubs\/EN-05-10029.pdf\">three to five months<\/a>\u00a0to process your claim. Regardless, your benefits won\u2019t begin until you\u2019ve been disabled for six full months.\u00a0<\/p><p>Before you apply for disability insurance, you should consult the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/disability\/disability_starter_kits.htm\">Disability Starter Kit<\/a>. The kit spells out the information you will need to apply and to prepare for your\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/blog.ssa.gov\/prepare-for-your-disability-interview-tips-from-social-security\/\">disability interview<\/a>. Applying online may take between one to two hours.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5a95028 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"5a95028\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-855a282\" data-id=\"855a282\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-697377d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"697377d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-77db2572 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section elementor-top-section\" data-id=\"77db2572\" data-element_type=\"section\"><div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\"><div class=\"elementor-row\"><div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7842002d elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column\" data-id=\"7842002d\" data-element_type=\"column\"><div class=\"elementor-column-wrap  elementor-element-populated\"><div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\"><div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-55270c8f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"55270c8f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\"><div class=\"elementor-widget-container\"><div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\"><h3><b>14. You\u2019ll need to gather some paperwork to apply for benefits<\/b><\/h3><p>Before you apply for your retirement, disability or surivor benefits, you\u2019ll want to round up the following information for yourself and\/or your spouse or ex-spouse:<\/p><ul><li>Social Security card<\/li><li>Your original birth certificate or other proof of birth\u00a0<\/li><li>Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status if you were not born in the U.S.<\/li><li>A copy of your U.S. military service papers<\/li><li>A copy of your W-2 form(s) and\/or self-employment tax return for last year.<\/li><li>If you\u2019re married, the name, Social Security number and date of birth or age of your current spouse and any former spouse. You should also know the dates and places of marriage and dates of divorce or death (if applicable).<\/li><li>The account number and routing number for your bank account<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6c314e95 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section elementor-top-section\" data-id=\"6c314e95\" data-element_type=\"section\"><div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\"><div class=\"elementor-row\"><div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1a1c2ea3 elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column\" data-id=\"1a1c2ea3\" data-element_type=\"column\"><div class=\"elementor-column-wrap  elementor-element-populated\"><div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\"><div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2ef35d2f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2ef35d2f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\"><div class=\"elementor-widget-container\"><div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\"><h3><b>15. Your benefits could be taxed<\/b><\/h3><p>About\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/pubs\/EN-05-10024.pdf\">40%<\/a>\u00a0of people who get Social Security have to pay federal taxes on their benefits, according to the Social Security Administration. This usually happens only if you have significant income, a pension, IRA or 401(k) withdrawals or other taxable income, in addition to your Social Security benefits. The good news is that if you do owe taxes on your benefits,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/planners\/taxes.html\">only 85%<\/a>\u00a0of your benefits are taxable.<\/p><h3><b>Knowledge is power<\/b><\/h3><p>Whether Social Security benefits will be a key part of your retirement plans or a nice supplement to your retirement savings, it\u2019s important to figure out how much you will receive, which benefits you\u2019re eligible for, the optimal time to claim your benefits and how much money you will need each month to live. Arming yourself with knowledge is a great step to making smart decisions about your benefits.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Whether you\u2019ll rely primarily on Social Security benefits in retirement, or instead view benefits as a supplement to your retirement savings, understanding your eligibility and how to optimize the amount you receive is important. Here, we\u2019ve listed 15 of the most important things you\u2019ll need to know to do just that. 1. There are three [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":224,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-222","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>15 Social Security secrets that retirees need to know - SimplyWise Cost Estimator<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Understanding your eligibility and how to optimize the Social Security benefits you receive is critical. 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