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James Royal, Ph.D. | Bankrate.com (TNS)

Social Security provides benefits not only to retired workers but also to spouses who have not contributed to the program. Spouses are one of the many beneficiaries of Social Security, and even ex-spouses can claim a payout from the program in some circumstances.

When you apply for Social Security, you automatically apply for the greater of your benefit or half your spouse’s benefit. The average monthly payout for all retired workers was $1,918 in June 2024, according to the Social Security Administration (SSA), while those claiming spousal benefits received an average check of about $911.

Here’s how Social Security works for those looking to claim a spousal benefit.

Claiming spousal benefits from Social Security: How it works

When a worker files for benefits from Social Security, the worker’s spouse may be able to claim a benefit based on the worker’s contributions. For spouses to receive the benefit, they must be at least age 62 or care for a child under age 16 (or one receiving Social Security disability benefits). In addition, spouses cannot claim the spousal benefit until the worker files for their benefit. read more

Charles Gorrivan | (TNS) Bloomberg News

A hacking group linked to the Iranian government tried to breach the email accounts of presidential campaign staffers as part of a wider effort to gather intelligence ahead of the U.S. election, Microsoft Corp. said Friday.

Attackers connected to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in June used a compromised email address from a former political adviser to try phishing another high-ranking presidential campaign official, according to findings from Microsoft’s Threat Analysis Center. That group, which Microsoft calls Mint Sandstorm, also unsuccessfully attempted to log in to the account of a former presidential candidate. The report didn’t identify the individual targets by name.

Other Iranian groups are using artificial intelligence technology to publish content online insulting former president Donald Trump and create inflammatory posts about controversial issues such as gender reassignment surgery, according to the report.

Microsoft researchers also said that Iranian groups that have historically tried to undermine trust in the electoral system have since March been preparing to launch influence operations. Using websites with fabricated and plagiarized content, supposed media operations launched by Iranian groups also have sought to amplify polarizing political messaging about topics such as presidential candidates and Israel’s war against Hamas, researchers found. read more

Q. I inherited an IRA from my mother in 2021, and I have taken no required minimum distributions (RMDs) yet. I have not reached the age at which I have to take RMDs from my own account, but my mother had. So, do I have to take RMDs from my inheritance? If so, whose life expectancy do I use? Is it taxable? Is the 10-year rule in effect?

A. Starting in 2025, you do have to take RMDs. You do not have to take RMDs for prior years. Because your mother had reached her required beginning date (RBD), you do have to take yearly RMDs starting in the year after your mother passed. You can use your age to determine the amount you have to withdraw each year, and you do have to use the 10-year rule, which means that, in effect, you have to withdraw all the funds in the account by the end of 2031.

Q. My wife is 11 years older than me. We both have IRAs. We named each other as beneficiaries. If she predeceases me before I reach the age when I have to take RMDs from my account, will I be required to take RMDs from the inherited account? read more