SOCIAL SECURITY Q & amp;A

Q. Somebody told me that I need 40 credits to collect Social Security benefits when I retire. How do I earn these credits?
A. Yes, you need a minimum of 40 credits to be eligible for Social Security retirement benefits. You earn up to a maximum of 4 credits for each year by working in jobs covered by Social Security or by operating your own business as a self-employed person. In the year 2001, you must earn $830 in covered earnings to get one Social Security credit and $3,320 to get the maximum 4 credits for the year.
Q. I have been divorced for many years and am thinking about retiring. Can I get benefits from my ex-husband's Social Security?
A. You can receive benefits on your ex-husband's Social Security record if you were married for at least 10 years, are at least age 62 and your ex-husband must be receiving benefits.
You may receive benefits on your ex-husband's record even if he is not receiving benefits, but he must be eligible to receive benefits and you must have been divorced for at least two years.
Q. I have a neighbor who's full of questions -- more than I can answer -- about Social Security. The problem is that she doesn't speak English very well and when she calls and visits offices she gets confused and doesn't get the answers she needs. Is there a place she can ask her questions in Spanish?
A. We'd be glad to answer her questions in Spanish. Have her visit www.ssa.gov/espanol/faqs to see our long list of frequently asked questions in Spanish. Or, she can call us at (800) 772-1213 or visit her local Social Security office and request an interpreter. She'll also want to visit our women's page in Spanish at www.ssa.gov/espan-ol/mujeres for information.
Q. I heard that if I earned a public pension in a job not covered by Social Security and also qualified for a Social Security benefit as a spouse of a worker, my benefit would be affected. How does that work?
A. If you worked for a federal, state, or local government agency where you did not pay Social Security taxes, the pension you receive from that agency may reduce any Social Security benefits you qualify for as a spouse. The offset would reduce the amount of your Social Security spouse's or widow's benefit by two-thirds of the amount of your government pension.
XThis column was prepared by the Social Security Administration. For answers to specific Social Security questions, contact Social Security toll-free at (800) 772-1213.
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