I was born August 28, 1952. I have been teaching school for 32 years. At my full retirement age of 66 in August 2018, can I turn in a restricted application for my ex-husband's benefits and wait to apply on my own record until I turn 70 in order to allow my benefits to increase by 8% per year until I turn 70?

Hi,

Larry,

I am 61 and my wife is 60, I have made 40K my entire working life ( W2) and my wife has made 18K total ( mostly tips) and a 1099 for 10K for working for a doctor's wife. We live in an economy that is cheap and affordable for us. (Although we only have about 20K in savings) Luckily we like crazy weather, the changing of the seasons and are on NO medications and still Ski and climb mountains. So we are OK here. I am greatly confused. Several credible sources say we are fools if we don't take SSI at 62, and others say wait till 66 and then some 70.

I am a nurse working full time as of sept I will have 40 years @ uva medical center and I will be 67 in oct . can I collect my social security and is this a wise thing to do I am single.

Hi,

My wife is 63 years old as of 5/2/1954 and is receiving disability benefits due to cancer (approximately $1,600 per month). I am 62 years old as of 1/20/1955 and do not plan to file for social security benefits until at least full retirement age. At full retirement age, I am forecasted to receive about double what she is receiving now. My question is, can I receive a disability spousal benefit now without it affecting/reducing my own future social security benefits when I file at full retirement age?

I filed & suspended before Apr 2016, when i turned 66. My wife is 65. Can she collect spousal benefits now? or should she wait till she is 66?
Thanks

Hi,

Your wife could file for reduced spousal benefits at age 65, but she'd then also be deemed to have filed on her own record. Depending on her circumstances, it may be better for her to wait until age 66 (i.e. her full retirement age) so that she can file just for spousal benefits only and allow her own benefit rate to grow until age 70.

Most articles on social security recommend waiting until 70 until taking benefits and I understand that delaying will increase the monthly benefit by 8% or so per year of delay. However, if I use a spreadsheet and sum the total benefit amount from age 66 to 95 for both benefits starting at 66 and 70, the subtotal of the 70 column doesn't exceed the 66 column until my late 80's. The grand total at age 95 for both columns differs by less than 20 thousand dollars. Sounds like a typical annuity behaviour.

I am 64. My wife is 63. I am going to work until 67. My wife has 40 credits and is a homemaker now. Can she draw SS now, then increase her SS by applying for spousal benefits when I retire? Thanks

Hi,

Your wife can file for reduced retirement benefits now, but she'll continue to receive reduced benefits even if she later becomes eligible for an additional spousal benefit from your record.

Hello - I have a question. I don't quite understand the whole thing with Social Security and all and was wondering about something.

My wife took early retirement benefits at 62 (DOB 6/11/54). I plan to retire at full retirement age 66 on 8/21/2018 but I am flexible with this timing. What options do we have to maximize our retirement payments?

Hi,