Widows and divorced spouses may find their monthly Social Security payment a little higher than it used to be, after the Social Security Administration (SSA) quietly changed some of its rules.
According to some estimates, some people may see thousands of dollars more this year thanks to the change. Of course, it will only impact certain Social Security recipients. Keep reading to find out whether or not you qualify.
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According to NJ.com, the SSA has changed the way it calculates Social Security benefits for widows and divorced spouses, specifically for those whose spouses worked in the public sector but didn't always pay Social Security taxes.
The publication says that this arrangement previously left a gap in the calculation for these specific couples, since one may have been paying into the agency's account while the other may not have been, specifically in cases where the spouse working in the public sector also received a pension.
Related: New Report Sounds the Alarm About the 'Catastrophic' Effects of Social Security Cuts
Before this change was implemented, these folks were often left out in the cold when it came time to determine their benefit amounts, and they either ended up with a reduced payment...or no benefits at all. Now, the SSA has done away with the restrictions on those whose spouses received a pension, resulting in either a higher monthly payout or a lump-sum payment.
What to do if You Think You Should See Money as a Result of This Change
Think you may be entitled to more money thanks to this rule change? Well, there's good news, the SSA says that most people will automatically see the funds hit their accounts or their monthly payments as the change is implemented. In fact, some have already likely received their money.
If you have not yet seen a change in your payment and you think you may be entitled to one, you'll need to contact your local Social Security office to find out. Of course, some local offices are currently closed or experiencing disruptions. So, you'll want to check the SSA's website first to see if your state is among those experiencing delays. If so, your second-best option will be to call the SSA's national number to speak with a remote agent, who can also answer your questions about this change to the pension calculation.
Related: 10 States Are Temporarily Closing Social Security Offices. Is Your State on the List?
Just be warned: if you do need to call in, you may face longer wait times, as several states have reported disruptions to in-person office hours, so more people than usual may be trying to reach the administration by phone. That being said, spending a little extra time on hold may be well worth it if you're among those who are expected to receive the higher end of this payout, which could dramatically impact your finances moving forward.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
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