Sue - That would be the best scenario if we could take/roll-over a lump sum tax-free/deferred, but there was no mention of anything like that in the paperwork we received. Well that is something that they would not have to disclose to you, imho. If they hand the distribution to you, it is entirely up to you what you want to do with it. The safest way would be to have an account set up (like a new IRA) and have the funds moved directly into the account, as opposed to you receiving the money and then you putting the $$ into the IRA. If they mail you the lump sum, they are required to withhold the tax on it. If it is rolled over into a qualified IRA account, then no taxes would be withheld at that time on the entire $21K, but would instead be taxed upon withdrawal, when you became 'withdrawal' age. It sounds like you are all familiar with all the above though..sorry if I was preaching to the choir. Good luck! Keep us posted please. Sue Here is a link that might be useful: 401k and Pension Lump-Sum Rollover Assistance

Retirement appears less and less likely for many people. Wages have barely improved in decades and the cost of living is going up, tempting some people to retire overseas. It could be done, but there are a ton of plans one has to make first. One can always retire abroad for much less. It's good to think that Social Security still pays benefits to overseas retired persons, though taxes on that income in a new home country may apply as well as to the United States.

From what I have read, the maximum payment for a worker at full retirement age (66, in this case) is $2346. However, each person's benefit is based on his own work record. The average payout is actually much less. A spouse has the option of taking the amount of: her/his own benefit or if less than the percentage based on the spouse's income, taking that amount. Basically if the husband's benefit at full retiremnt age is 1000, the wife would be entitled to an amount of 500. If she worked and her benefit from working is greater than 500 she would draw only her benefit; if her benefit amount is less than 500, then she would draw her amount (say 375)plus an amount to equal the 500. If she hadn't worked, she would be entitled to the 50% amount of her husband's benefit. This does not reduce the husband's benefit. The percentage is based on full retirement age; and the percentage is reduced for each year less than full retirement age. That is not the maximum family benefit, which is based on a widow/widower with minor or disabled children. Per SS site: "The benefit amount you and your children receive is based on your deceased husband's earnings. The more he paid into Social Security, the greater your benefits will be. However, there is a limit to the amount of money that can be paid each month to a family. The limit is normally referred to as the "family maximum." This limit varies, but it is generally between 150 and 180 percent of the deceased's benefit amount. If the sum of the benefits payable to you and your children is greater than this limit, each of you will receive a benefit amount that is proportionately reduced" socialsecurity.gov has many Q & A's Here is a link that might be useful: SS Benefits spouse

Here are some suggestions: First, think about encouraging the bigger kids to play at someone else's house more often. It's got to be hard for an 8-year-old with no one his own age to play with, when his older stepbrother gets to have people over every day. Since your son's friends are all in the neighborhood, it should be easy for him to go to their houses instead of everyone always coming to yours. Second, have a talk with your son (and, if you can manage it without your ss hearing, your son's friends) about trying to go easier on your ss. They're 4-5 years older than him: they're going to be faster and more coordinated than an 8-year-old. Tag, nerf guns, whatever-- they're almost always going to be better than he is. Part of being a good older brother/sister is learning to go easier on the littler ones. Since you say your son and his friends are all nice boys, they should be able to understand that and be accommodating. Third is to come up with things to keep your ss occupied while your son and his friends are playing. The older boys should include him sometimes, but they shouldn't have to include him all of the time. Give your ss things to do that he'll enjoy so that he isn't moping around and feeling left out. And fourth is-- like Sweeby said-- you and your husband should work on good sportsmanship with your ss. But don't be surprised if it takes awhile. It can be hard to develop the emotional maturity needed to handle losing. One last thing: have you considered introducing the boys to different kinds of games? Or encouraging them to invent their own? I was the oldest in a largeish family, and when we had a group of kids over and had to include the littler ones, we would sometimes do something like a scavenger/easter egg hunt with different objects hidden in the yard and house. If the kids do the hunt with partners, the younger kid feels included, his chances of being a winner are better (because the older partner can help a lot), and the younger one isn't alone in losing if they don't find enough of the hidden objects. Games that involve partners/teams and don't rely as heavily on physical/mental skill may help things go more smoothly.