I qualify for ex spousal payments: age 68, married for more than ten years, divorced for along time never filed for Social Security benefits as my plan was to wait to age 70. I have just learned I could have filed for ex spousal benefits. Questions: my ex has not filed for retirement yet he is 69 and plans to at age 70 and his benefit and mine are the same at age 70. Can I file an appeal to recapture the benefit that I was entitled to at at age 66? Should I claim my FRA now and is it possible to claim his benefit at age which would be the higher amount?

My wife and I were both born in 1953 (I in June 53 and she in December 53) and thus are grandfathered in for part of the changed law on Social Security. I earned substantially more than she did (but still not that much). I'm still working and plan to not file until I turn 70 after reading your book!

If she takes her retirement benefits when she turns 66, can I take my spousal benefit? If so, then when I turn 70 and file for and take my retirement benefits, can she then take her spousal benefit? Does doing any of this jeopardize either or both of us?

Thanks!

My husband turned 62 last month and will be applying for early retirement social security benefits (on the advice of our CPA). He hasn't worked since the end of 2014 but would still like to. If he does retire to work it would most likely be in a consulting position and he would be self employed paying both parts of social security (employer and employee). If he returns to work could he suspend his benefits and would he continue earning credits?
Thank you.

Hi,

I turned 62 in June of 2017, we have a 14 year old at home, my wife says my daughter is eligible for SS benefits but from what I read on line due to our / my income she is not eligible, could you please clarify? (if it matters, I plan to work until I am 67 years old). Thank you very much.

Hi,

It sounds like you, your daughter and your wife could potentially qualify for benefits on your record, but $1 of the total amount payable would be withheld for each $2 that you earn in excess of $16920 this year, and $17040 next year.

Hi Larry,

I started drawing soc sec at 62 now I’m 70. I am now on disability soc sec. My wife has full soc sec benefits when she retires. She will be 62 in July 2018. She planning to retire in July 2018 and start her benifits. What does she to do to make best decision. My soc sec at 62 was 1300.00 and is now 1472.00 with disability. Will she draw off her work history which I think will be 1300 or should she draw off mine and freeze hers until she become full retirement age. We really don’t know what to do.

Hi,

Larry & Friends,

Can I Start Drawing Benefits 4 Months Before Turning Age 66 and continue to work? Or should I wait till the month I turn 66 to collect benefits? How will one or the other affect how much I can earn from work?

Hi,

I will be 65 in Jan2018, and will wait until I am 66 to collect 100% ssi. My wife is currently 66 and has been on disability ssi, until she turned 66 in Aug.2017. My question ,am I able to collect 50% of her amount until I turn 66 in Jan2019? The other question is can my wife file for 50% of the amount I am entitled now or does she have to wait until I start collecting. The spousal benefit of 50% for her is significantly higher then she is currently collecting. Are either of these options available for us? My birthdate is 1/10/53 her birthdate is 8/18/51

Hi Larry, my wife is 62, I am 60. I plan to file for my retirement benefit at 70. My wife's estimated retirement benefit will be less than her estimated spousal benefit. Can she file for her retirement benefit, then switch later to her spousal benefit at 72 (the age she will be when I file). If yes, is her spousal benefit affected by the age when she files for her retirement benefit. Would she be better off filing now at 62 or waiting until her FRA?

Hi,