Hi Larry, I've tried to navigate Social Security's website and I've read your very good responses to questions but have not found a situation similar to mine. I am currently working full time and will be 60 in a couple of months. I plan to work until I'm 65 or retire sooner if possible and wait until I'm 67 to collect my social security benefits. In my first marriage, I was a stay at home mom in a 20-year marriage that ended in divorce. I remarried 10 years later and my 2nd husband passed away 2 years ago at age 63. We were married 5 years.

I receive widows benefits,why can't I draw my own SS. I am 75. I paid in for over 50years. What happens to my money?

Hi,

You can draw your own Social Security benefits, but you can't draw both your own benefits and a full widow's benefit at the same time. The most you can be paid is either your own benefit rate or your widow's rate. The reason for that is simply that it's stated that way in the Social Security law that congress passed into law.

In September my husband will begin taking SS at 62. He will draw 1895 per month. I am 60 years old. According to my SS report, I will only draw about 700 a month at 65.
If I draw at 62, may I draw against his retirement?
If so, will I receive 1/3 or 1/2 of his SS?
If I draw mine at 63, may I change and draw against his when I turn 65 (which will be more $).

Hi,

Hi Larry, I am trying to plan for my retirement, I am 59. I was married 19 years to my first husband., who is retired military. I do receive a monthly retirement from him. I am remarried 20 years now. My second husband is 9 years younger than me. My question is, would I be able to draw off of my second husband if he is not of retiring age? will I need to draw on my own? I am wanting to retire at 62. Thanks you for your help. Lena

Hi Lena,

Hi. Are there any reasons I should switch from getting my spousal benefit to my own benefit? The Story: At my FRA (age 66, in 2016) I took a spousal benefit, and have been gathering DRCs on my own benefit. I'll be age 70 later this year, but MMSS calculations show that, even with the DRCs thru age 70, my own benefit amount will still be less than my currently-received spousal benefit.

Can you get retro retirement payments (up to 6 months) at age 64 and must you ask for this at time of retirement application ?
Gary

Hi Gary,

I am collecting my Social Security and my husband is collecting spousal benefits. He will turn 70 in July, 2020. We do not want to increase our income this year due to tax reasons and Medicare IRMAA income limits. Collecting his full Social Security for half of this year would put us over the income limit for IRMAA and force us to pay the Medicare surcharge in 2022.

I hope I can make my inquiry understood, it's a bit confusing hence my questions.
1. Am I right in understanding that when I apply for benefits at 62, I will receive the larger of either my own benefit amount, or half of my husband's benefit, minus 30% for either option since I will be retiring before FRA?
2. Will the calculation include the delayed retirement credits he earned, or will it be based on his primary amount without allowing for the credits?

I am receiving a spousal benefit based on my wife's benefit. I turn 70 in December of this year. If I elect a lump sum for the previous six months will it be smaller because I have been receiving the spousal benefit?

Hi,

Yes, you can't be paid both your own benefits and your spousal benefits for the same month(s). Therefore, if you elect to start your own benefits retroactively, the spousal benefits you've already been paid for those months will be deducted from your back pay.

I am 63 years old and has been receiving SSDI. Recently I started working again while on SSDI and plan to work for longer than 9 months while receiving about $4,000 each month. I understand that after 9 months the social security will stop issuing social security disability checks. However, according to SSA I would still be considered disabled as SSA has not had a chance to reevaluate if my disability ended.