Dear Larry, my husband is approaching 60 and Social Security has been weighing on his mind. What he is thinking about is pulling his social security and then what ever that amount is take his paycheck and have equally amount put in his 401k pre tax. I am trying to get him to wait till he is 65 or 67 he is afraid of waiting to long to take that advantage. Can he legally do this and if so when should he start. I am going to have him sign up for your maximize my social security program. Thank you Terrilynn

Hi Terrilynn. I'm not sure what you mean by your reference to your husband 'pulling his Social Security'. Your husband couldn't elect to withdraw his Social Security contributions in return for forfeiting his rights to benefits, nor could he opt to start collecting reduced Social Security retirement benefits prior to age 62.

If your husband does start drawing his benefits at age 62, though, it wouldn't adversely affect your options with regard to spousal benefits for as long as your husband is living. It would, however, reduce the amount that you could potentially receive as a widow if your husband dies before you. It sounds like you and your husband should strongly consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to fully analyze the options available to you in order to determine your best strategy for maximizing your benefits.

Best, Jerry