Explain the Social Security Administration (SSA)'s recent ruling to retroactively review the claim of a surviving same-sex long-partner to the retirement benefits of their deceased higher-wage-earning long-term partner. Answer BOTH parts of this question.

A. Who does this ruling apply to?

B. When working with a client who might qualify for this benefit, how would you explain the SSA benefit and your purpose in asking questions about the client's past long-term partnership?