As regular readers know, I frequently use an entire column to answer one question. That's because Social Security rules are so complicated and I usually need a lot of space to cover all the legal "ifs, ands, or buts." Today, however, I'm skipping the fine points and I'm going to squeeze as many questions and answers as I can into my allotted space.

Q: Our grown son recently died. Will our grandkids get any of his Social Security? If so, how much money will they get and how long will they get it?

A: Your grandkids will receive monthly Social Security survivor's benefits on their father's Social Security record until each one turns 18 years old. How much they get depends on how much their father earned and on the Social Security taxes he paid. Technically, each child is due up to 75 percent of whatever your son's Social Security benefit would have been. But there is a maximum that can be paid to any one family. (That maximum also depends on your son's Social Security rate.) Assuming their mother is still around, she could also be due benefits. Just to give you an idea of what they might be able to count on, $2,400 per month is the average survivor's benefit paid to a family of three.

Q: My mom and dad were married for 30 years when he died in 1999. My mom remarried, but she is about to divorce. When the divorce is final, will my mom be able to collect widow's benefits on my dad's record? Our local Social Security office told her "no." My mom is 63 years old and gets her own Social Security retirement benefit. My dad made a lot more money than my mom.

A: Please bear in mind that I don't know all the particulars of your mother's case -- except what you told me. But based on what you did tell me, it sounds as if your mom should be eligible for widow's benefits when the divorce is final. It could be that the Social Security people think it would be to her advantage to keep getting her own retirement benefits until she turns 66 years old and at that point, she could switch to full widow's benefits on your father's record. (That would be as opposed to collecting reduced widow's benefits now.) But it's definitely something you and your mom should clear up with your local Social Security office.

Q: I am 60 years old and have been getting Social Security disability benefits for about five years. Will I be required to switch to reduced retirement benefits when I turn 62?

A: No, you will not be required to change to Social Security retirement benefits at 62. But at age 66, you will be automatically switched to full retirement benefits. However, because the age 66 retirement benefit is the same rate as your disability benefit, you won't see any difference in your Social Security payment amount. So, in a way, the switch is just a bookkeeping entry. In the Social Security Administration files, you'll be labeled a "retiree" instead of a "disabled person." And your monthly benefits will be paid out of the retirement trust fund instead of the disability trust fund.

Q: I recent turned 66 and signed up for Social Security. I'm still working and make about $70,000 per year. My wife and I are confused about our tax obligations with respect to Social Security. Can you clarify this for us?

A: The taxation of Social Security benefits is an IRS matter, not a Social Security matter. And I am a Social Security expert, but definitely not a tax expert. You should really talk to the IRS or to a tax advisor about this. However, I know enough to help you a little. According to IRS tables, if you file a joint tax return and if your income exceeds $44,000 per year, then the taxable portion of your Social Security benefits is the lesser of: 1) 85 percent of your Social Security benefits, or 2) 85 percent of the amount by which your adjusted gross income (as reported on your 1040) exceeds $44,000 per year.