I am 63. My husband is 60 and on disability. I will retire at 66. We need both of our social security incomes. I seem to remember you talking a while back about how someone reaching full retirement and on disability should handle it once they reach full retirement age, but since the new regulations about file and suspend have gone into affect, we are not sure what to do. Is there anything he needs to do once he reaches full retirement age? Does his regular social security kick in at his full retirement age and that's it? Thank you!

Hi,

No, your husband doesn't have to do anything when he reaches full retirement age (FRA). His disability benefits will automatically convert to retirement benefits at the same monthly rate. In theory, he could suspend benefits from FRA until age 70 in order to raise his monthly benefit amount, but that's not an option if you need his benefits to live on.

You should probably consider filing just for spousal benefits on your husband's account at FRA, then switching to your own account at age 70. Depending on your and your husband's benefit amounts, that may be the best way to maximize your benefits. You can run the maximization software available on this website in order to be sure.

Best, Jerry