Social Security

The question you have raised about your wife, who is receiving a pension but has never paid into Social Security, is an important one and worth exploring, especially in light of the new Social Security Fairness Act. You’re wondering whether this new legislation would make her eligible for Social Security spousal benefits now that the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) have been repealed. Here’s the key point to remember: for your wife to claim spousal benefits, she must wait until you begin claiming your Social Security benefits. According to the Social Security Administration, she cannot claim them independently. The Social Security Fairness Act, signed into law by former President Joe Biden, repeals provisions that previously limited o...

Former Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley has raised concerns about potential delays in Social Security payments for millions of Americans. O'Malley, who led the Social Security Administration (SSA) from 2023 to 2024, has expressed his worries about disruptions shortly. While he hopes to be proven wrong, his warning comes from significant problems within the SSA. These include staffing cuts, internal chaos, and the impact of government efficiency measures, all of which threaten to delay benefit payments. One of the main reasons for these potential delays is the severe staffing cuts the SSA has experienced. Since President Donald Trump's administration, the agency has reduced its workforce by 7,000 employees, dropping from 57,000 to 50,000. This represents a 12% decreas...

Social Security has been a key program for the United States, offering financial support to people who are no longer able to work due to age or disability. Since its establishment, it has provided millions of Americans with an essential safety net, ensuring they can maintain a basic standard of living when they can no longer rely on income from a job. These benefits represent not only financial assistance but also the acknowledgment of years of hard work. For many families, Social Security benefits are the primary source of income, making them vital for day-to-day survival. With these payments, recipients can cover essential expenses such as housing, food, and healthcare. The stability that Social Security provides brings a sense of security, knowing that there is financial support ...

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is facing growing criticism due to proposed staffing cuts that could severely impact its operations and compromise the security of sensitive data. Democratic Senators Elizabeth Warren, Ron Wyden, and Kirsten Gillibrand have voiced their concerns over a 50% reduction in staffing within the Office of the Chief Investment Officer (OCIO). They warn that these cuts could have devastating consequences for millions of Americans who rely on Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. In a letter to the administration, the senators expressed their alarm, stating, “We are concerned these cuts will lead to further website and benefit disruptions, preventing tens of millions of Americans from accessing their hard-earned Social Se...

The U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) is grappling with a severe operational crisis, marked by repeated website outages, prolonged phone service disruptions, and widespread confusion among beneficiaries. These issues have intensified following a series of cost-cutting measures and policy changes implemented by the Trump administration and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk.​ Website Crashes and System Overloads In recent weeks, the SSA's online portal, MySSA, has experienced multiple outages, with some lasting up to 24 hours. These disruptions have prevented millions of retirees and disabled Americans from accessing their accounts or completing necessary transactions. The outages are reportedly linked to an expanded fraud detection system...

In the United States, Social Security benefits play an important role in supporting people during retirement. But to receive these benefits, there’s a basic rule everyone needs to understand: you must earn Social Security credits during your working life. These credits are proof that you've worked and paid taxes into the system, and they help decide if you qualify for retirement, disability, Medicare, or survivor benefits. It’s not just about age—it’s about how much you’ve contributed over the years. To qualify for retirement benefits, you need at least 40 Social Security credits. Most people earn these credits automatically while working, but not everyone realizes how the system works. In simple terms, for every year you work and earn a minimum amount, you can get up to four credit...

If you’re dreaming of getting the highest possible Social Security benefit in retirement — ₹4.26 lakh (or $5,108) every month in 2025 — then you’ll need to meet some strict conditions. While the average retiree in the U.S. currently receives around $1,980 per month, the top benefit is only available to those who check every single box. What You Must Do to Qualify for the Maximum Social Security Benefit? There are two main rules you need to follow: Earn a high enough income every year for 35 years Delay your Social Security claim until age 70 Miss either one, and you won’t qualify for the maximum. It’s truly an all-or-nothing situation. The Salary Target: What You Need to Earn Social Security only counts a portion of your earnings when calculating your benefit. Th...

In the United States, the Social Security Administration follows a set schedule to distribute payments to retirees and other beneficiaries. However, this schedule does not mean everyone receives their payment at the same time. Some groups of Social Security recipients will have to wait until May 2025 to get their next payment, while others have already received their April benefits. This delay mainly affects a specific group of retirees who started receiving their benefits before May 1997. These beneficiaries will get their monthly check on May 2, 2025. This group is not determined by birth date, unlike other recipients who are paid later in the month based on when they were born. Instead, this group is simply identified by the fact that their benefits started before a specific ...

Starting from April 2025, a big change is coming for Social Security beneficiaries in the United States. The government has made it mandatory for all current and future recipients to verify their identity in person at Social Security Administration (SSA) offices. This new rule replaces the earlier system, where people could prove their identity online through the SSA website. The change has been introduced by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which was created under former President Donald Trump and is currently being overseen by Elon Musk. According to DOGE, this move is meant to reduce fraud, prevent misuse of funds, and ensure that benefits go to the right people. Why Is This Change Happening? This rule comes after an internal investigation suggested that ...

In just two weeks, millions of Americans relying on the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program will receive their direct payment of up to $967. These payments, set to be distributed on May 1, are a vital source of financial support for individuals living with severe disabilities. The Social Security Administration (SSA) states that SSI is designed for people whose conditions either significantly limit their daily activities or are expected to result in death. To qualify for SSI, applicants must be at least partially blind or have a physical or mental disability that restricts their ability to perform basic activities for at least 12 months. The goal of SSI is to provide financial relief to those who cannot earn enough due to their disabilities, helping them maintain a basic ...