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Recent Blog Posts

April 7, 2025 By Liz Weston

Q&A: Not everyone benefits from the Social Security Fairness Act

Dear Liz: My husband passed away in January 2024. He retired from the U.S. Postal Service after 37 years. He drew off of my Social Security since he did not pay in. How will the change in the windfall elimination provision affect me? Answer: It may not. Social Security has promised to increase benefits and […]

March 31, 2025 By Liz Weston

Q&A: Losing a home in a fire, then being hit with a ‘casualty gain’

Dear Liz: My house was burned down in the Palisades fire. I lived in the house for 25 years and lost everything. I thought there may be a silver lining with tax deductions. Much to my surprise, I am supposed to use the purchase price from 25 years ago as my adjusted cost basis. The […]

March 31, 2025 By Liz Weston

Q&A: Successor trustee can use estate funds to hire help

Dear Liz: I have named my daughter as executor of my revocable living trust. I am concerned that she may not have the ability to carry out all of the functions required of an executor. Are there entities she can hire using trust funds to fulfill her duties? Answer: Technically, an executor is a person […]

March 31, 2025 By Liz Weston

Q&A: Claiming Social Security when the higher earner is younger

Dear Liz: I am three years younger than my spouse. I have been the primary breadwinner with significantly higher earnings over our 31 years of marriage as he was a stay-at-home dad for many years. Taking my spousal benefit will be much higher for him than his own, even if he waited until he was […]

March 24, 2025 By Liz Weston

Q&A: Changing your married name? Expect a mound of paperwork

Dear Liz: I use my first name, maiden name and married last name as my legal name. Just before we got married 46 years ago, I told my husband-to-be that I didn’t want to take his last name. I lost that argument. If he passes before me, I want to drop his last name. I […]

March 24, 2025 By Liz Weston

Q&A: Spousal benefits require “one continuous year” of marriage

Dear Liz: I want to apply for a benefit based on my spouse’s Social Security but how long do we have to have been married? I was not eligible until the Social Security Fairness Act changed the rules. We have been married for four years in May. I am not receiving Social Security benefits since […]

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