Ask Larry

How Should We File with Two Disabled Children?

Hi, I have two disabled adult sons who currently draw Social Security on their father's retirement account. I am trying to determine whether I should take retirement (at 65) and move one of my sons to my account, assuming my son would make more on my account than he does on his father's. I am having a hard time determining what my son would draw and whether this makes it cost effective for me to start drawing Social Security early. Thanks, Spencer

Spencer, our software can help you make this decision. It will account for disabled adult child benefits for your sons and determine on whose record they should be claimed and when in order to maximize your household lifetime benefits. Our software accounts for the Family Maximum, which will almost certainly come into play, at least at times. It's not possible to tell without much more information whether it would be better for you to file before your full retirement age (FRA) or delay until FRA or even 70. In addition to determining your maximized strategy and letting you game out various what-if strategies, you can also enter different levels of current and future income if that's a factor in your decision making process. Thanks, John

Posted: 
Jul 13 2016 - 12:45pm
MaxiFi software running on a laptop
Get What's Yours!
Discover tens of thousands in extra retirement dollars with Maximize My Social Security software!
  • Find your maximized strategy
  • Unlimited what-ifs
  • Step-by-Step filing instructions
  • Our software's lifetime-benefit increase for an illustrative couple earning $65K each and planning to take retirement benefits at 62.

    Results will differ based on your specific case and filing strategy.

Getting Started is Easy
Web-based software. Works on ALL browsers. No download.