Resources & FAQ
Everything you need to understand and claim your Social Security benefits.
⚠️ Important: SSA Doesn't Track Your Relationships
Social Security does NOT automatically know about your marriages, divorces, or deceased spouses. You must inform them about these relationships to receive spousal, ex-spouse, or survivor benefits. Many people miss out on benefits because they assume SSA will contact them — but SSA only knows what you tell them.
👉 Action: Call 1-800-772-1213 and tell them about all your current and past marriages.
⚡ Quick Summary
- 40 credits = your own benefits — but you may qualify through a spouse with fewer
- Spousal benefits = up to 50% of your spouse's full benefit
- Survivor benefits = up to 100% of the deceased spouse's benefit
- You receive only ONE benefit — the highest one you qualify for (they don't stack)
- Only 6 months retroactive — contact SSA now to avoid losing money
- Retake our questionnaire anytime — when your situation changes (marriage, divorce, death)
- Call 1-800-772-1213 — Social Security Administration
🎉 WEP/GPO Repeal (January 2025)
If you worked for a government employer that had its own pension system instead of Social Security (teachers, police, firefighters, state/city employees), you were previously affected by:
- WEP (Windfall Elimination Provision) — reduced your own Social Security retirement benefits
- GPO (Government Pension Offset) — reduced or eliminated your spousal/survivor benefits
✨ As of January 6, 2025, these provisions have been repealed! You may now qualify for full benefits that were previously blocked or reduced.
How to Check Your Social Security Credits
To qualify for your own Social Security retirement benefit, you need at least 40 work credits (approximately 10 years of SS-covered employment).
Option 1: Online (Fastest)
- Go to ssa.gov/myaccount
- Create an account or sign in
- View your Social Security Statement
- Look for "Your Estimated Benefits" and total credits earned
Option 2: By Phone
- Call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778)
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM local time
- Ask for: "A copy of my Social Security Statement showing total credits earned"
- They'll mail you your full record (earnings, credits, and projected benefits)
Contact Social Security
What to Have Ready
- Your Social Security number
- Date and place of birth
- Marriage certificate(s) and divorce decrees (if applicable)
- Death certificate(s) of spouse or ex-spouse (if applicable)
- Your most recent Social Security Statement
- Information about any pensions you receive
Official Resources
These are the official sources for information about Social Security benefits. Use these to verify information and get personalized guidance.
🏛️ Social Security Administration
- my Social Security Account — Check your credits and benefit estimates
- Retirement Benefits — Learn about your retirement options
- Survivor Benefits — Detailed survivor benefit information
- Disability Benefits — SSDI information
- Find Your Local SSA Office — Schedule in-person appointments
đź“š Educational Resources
- SSA Benefit Planners — Calculate your benefits
- SSA Publications — Free guides and booklets
- SSA FAQ — Answers to common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the WEP/GPO and why did it affect government employees?
The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) reduced Social Security retirement benefits for people who also received a pension from work not covered by Social Security.
The Government Pension Offset (GPO) reduced Social Security spousal or survivor benefits by two-thirds of your government pension amount.
As of January 6, 2025, these provisions have been repealed under the Social Security Fairness Act, meaning you may now be eligible for full Social Security benefits that were previously reduced or eliminated.
Do I need 40 credits to receive any Social Security benefit?
You need 40 credits to qualify for benefits based on your own work record. However, you may still qualify for spousal or survivor benefits based on a spouse's or ex-spouse's record, even if you have fewer than 40 credits yourself.
Can I receive benefits from an ex-spouse?
Yes, if:
- Your marriage lasted at least 10 years
- You are currently unmarried (or remarried after age 60)
- You are 62 or older
- Your ex-spouse is entitled to Social Security benefits
If your ex-spouse is deceased, you may qualify for survivor benefits (up to 100%) instead of divorced spouse benefits (up to 50%).
Good to know:
- No cooperation needed — Your ex-spouse doesn't need to know or approve
- Their benefit stays the same — Claiming doesn't reduce what they receive
- Have their SSN if possible — It speeds up processing, but SSA can look it up if you don't have it
Does remarriage affect my benefits?
It depends on the type of benefit and when you remarried:
- Divorced spouse benefits: You must be currently unmarried to receive them (unless you remarried after 60)
- Survivor benefits: Remarriage before age 60 (50 if disabled) ends benefits until that marriage ends. Remarriage after 60 does not affect survivor benefits.
- Child-in-care benefits: Remarriage at any age ends these benefits until the marriage ends.
Can I receive more than one benefit at a time?
No. Social Security pays you the highest single benefit you qualify for. Benefits do not "stack" or combine. However, you may switch to a different benefit if a higher one becomes available later (for example, when a spouse passes away).
How far back can Social Security pay me?
Generally, Social Security can only pay up to 6 months of retroactive benefits. This is why it's important to contact them as soon as possible—every month you wait could mean losing benefits you're entitled to.
What if my deceased spouse died before earning 40 credits?
If your spouse died before age 52, they may have qualified with fewer credits. The younger a person is when they die, the fewer credits they need. Contact Social Security to verify—don't assume they weren't eligible.
What's the difference between spousal and survivor benefits?
Spousal benefits (spouse is living):
- Up to 50% of your spouse's full benefit
- Available at age 62 (or any age with qualifying child)
- Your spouse must be receiving benefits or be 62+
Survivor benefits (spouse is deceased):
- Up to 100% of the deceased's full benefit
- Available at age 60 (or 50 if disabled, or any age with qualifying child)
- Marriage must have lasted at least 9 months (exceptions apply)
Legal Disclaimer
We are not affiliated with the Social Security Administration (SSA) or any government agency.
This website is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. We've done our best to ensure accuracy based on current laws and regulations, but we make no representation that this website will provide 100% accurate information in every situation.
We do not collect, store, or transmit any personal information. All questionnaire data is processed locally in your browser and is not saved anywhere.
The Social Security Administration is the final authority on all benefit eligibility and amounts. Always verify information directly with SSA before making financial decisions.
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