My wife retired at 66, I am 65, applied for Medicare a. Social security rep who took my application told me that if I did not retire at 66 I could collect spousal benefits on my retired wife's account because she waited until full retirement age of 66 and I could still continue to work. It was my understanding that such a technique for maximizing benefits was discontinued for all people born in 1954 and after. Does your software help with this? Is the representative correct? I would certainly have a higher final retirement amount if I wait to 67 or 68.

Hi,

No. Since your husband was born after January 1 1954, while you're living he could never apply for just spousal benefits only without also being required to apply for his own benefits at the same time (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/deemedfaq.html).

My husband died in 2012. I am currently 62 years old. I was told by SS that at my full retirement age (66 1/2) that I could take 100% of my deceased husband’s SS and still work full-time. I intend to work until I’m 70 and invest his SS. My question is if I do that can I, at 70, switch to collecting my SS (which will be larger than his), thereby stop collecting his or will I have to continue taking his and forfeit mine?

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.

I am going to be 66 next month. thats my full retirement age. I was born March 1954. I am married. My husband plans to collect his social security next year in April 2021, at his full retirement age 66 and 2 months.

My question is: Can I take my own retirement in April 2020 at my FRA. I will be getting much less than when my husband files for his SS. So can I take my own SS now and when he applies for his SS next year in 2021, can I switch over to his SS so I can receive half of his? I say half because he will be at FRA when he files. Thank you.
Cherie

Hi Larry
Unfortunately I am permanently disabled due to work injuries I am turning 62 in August I was married 20 years my ex husband also very sick Chf and more and also on permanent disability he makes a lot more then I do can I file something at age 62 can you explain Thank You Learning from your column Thank You

Hi,

I am deaf and have two grown children with their hearing father. But we are separated over 20 years. I wanted a divorce and he refused to sign. I work full time job at school but never enough. Wonder can I get a benefit from him? I don't know if he has his own benefits. I know he has some blinds in his eyes I wasn't sure if he is getting benefits for that or maybe none. But me?? Get benefits from him? No? Please let me know thank you.

Hi,

If I retired at age 67 1/2 and received benefits under husband and left my ss account until I turn 70 1/2 can I go back and draw under my own?

Hi,

Can an ex-spouse Social Security benefits be declined or waived? My father passed away last year and this resulted in an increase to my mother’s monthly Social Security benefits. Most would view this as a good thing however my mother lives on a limited income and qualified for Medicaid coverage. The increase was enough to bump her from qualifying for continued Medicaid benefits And her spending habits do not allow for a month to month spend down..

I am 66, still working as a teacher and have not claimed any SS benefits. My wife is 55 and on full disability due to 5 major back/neck surgeries. We have custody and are raising her two grandchildren ages 10 and 12. Can I claim "spousal benefits " on her SSDI while I continue to teach? Would we be eligible to collect child-n-care benefits on my Social Security if I went ahead and filed but suspended my own benefits until age 70? At the time when we thought we life would be a little less hectic, we have found that raising two children in school, sports, etc.

When my wife passed I took her SS retirement over mine since it was higher . I am now re married to someone receiving SS . When I die can my wife request my benefits since mine will be more tha hers . Thank you

Hi,

Yes, if you die before your wife, she could claim benefits based on your Social Security earnings history. However, she could not be paid any of the survivor benefits that you receive from your former wife's account.

Best, Jerry