Think you know everything about Social Security? Think again. What if the difference between a spousal benefit and a survivor benefit could mean thousands of dollars more in your pocket, but no one tells you? In this eye-opening episode, Stacey Francis sits down with Mary Beth Franklin, a nationally recognized expert on Social Security, to unravel the complex web of rules and opportunities surrounding Social Security for widows and divorced women. With over 2,700 rules in the system, most people make costly mistakes without even knowing it. Mary Beth breaks it all down in clear, practical terms and shares the strategies that can maximize lifetime benefits.

You'll hear us discuss:

How Social Security retirement, spousal, and survivor benefits are actually separate “pots of money”

What divorced women need to know about eligibility for spousal and survivor benefits - even if their ex has remarried

How the length of your marriage (and whether you remarried after age 60) can impact what you’re entitled to

Why claiming benefits early could lead to permanent reductions, and what full retirement age really means

The surprising rule that allows widows to claim one benefit now and switch to a higher one later

How earnings limits can affect your benefit if you’re still working

Why children under 18 (and their caregiving parent) may be eligible for survivor benefits after a parent dies

Real-life scenarios that show how proper strategy can increase benefits by tens of thousands of dollars

How to claim retroactive benefits and what to do if Social Security gave you the wrong advice

Where to find the most reliable information and professional help, including Mary Beth’s own resources

Resources

Mary Beth Franklin on Web | X (Twitter) | Email: [email protected] | Phone number: 703-609-4764 | Maximizing Social Security Benefits

Other resources - Social Security Advisors - help with claiming backpay | Social Security Administration - government website with information on Social Security Benefits

Stacy Francis on LinkedIn | X(Twitter) | Email: [email protected]

FrancisFinancial.com

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