Financial Questions Couples Should Ask

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Social Security benefits

I worked long ago and then stayed home with the children. I had planned to go back to work when the kids got a little older, but our one child got very ill for many years and I became her full time caretaker. I guess the stress of all of that took its toll on me and shortly after getting her back on her feet, I went down the dumper and have not been able to take care of my self, my house or my family for some time now. I am chronically ill and can't collect disability because I didn't work at a paying job and now the plan to work so I could collect Social Security at retirement age seems to be lost too. I don't have enough quarters to collect from before the kids and according to the local Social Security office I will not be eligible to collect under my husbands which I thought used to be the case. Does anyone know the rules? Is there any way I can collect Social Security if I can't get well long enough to get back to work?

Sandy of NJ @ Sep 11, 2008 16:03:00 PM

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Alpha Consumer

Alpha Consumer

Kimberly Palmer, senior editor for U.S. News & World Report, writes about how to save money, avoid scams, manage debt, and be a savvy shopper. Send your personal finance questions to her for expert money advice.


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