I was married for 19 years. My husband died in 2003. I was born in 1952 and would like to retire in March 2017 at the age of 65. I have gone to the local social security office who told me I would get 1458 a month in survivors benefits and could draw my own benefits at 70 and get 1900 a month. If I retired next year under my own benefit I would get around 1800. This didn't seem right to me because my husband was a naval captain and earned good money, his retirement was much higher than that.

I am 63 and stilli working I am single Thinking about retiring soon.but Istill plan to work. What shall do.confuse

My husband just turned 66 and did file and suspend before April 29. I turned 65 June 1 and wonder if I should claim half his benefits now or wait till I am 66. His monthly is around $2,000/ mo and my benefit at full retirement age is $900/mo. Should I claim his benefits now or wait until 66? Do I pay income taxes on his benefit?

Am 62, primary income earner. Spouse has been receiving Social Security Disability for 20 years. I am considering applying for early benefits. What are my options?

I will be 66 in 2017, my wife will be 62 in 2017. Can my wife start to collect her Social Security partial at 62, then when she turns 67 can she stop collecting her portion, and start collecting my half? My half will be more then the portion she will be getting. Thanks, Lawrence

My wife turns 66 this August. She plans to continue working as a teacher full-time for the school district for one more year which means she will be 67 when she retires. At retirement she will have 15 years in the state's PERS system. We realize her Social Security benefit will be reduced once s retires and begins to collect her District pension.

I am 62 if i take my ss at 67 i think i will get about 1600/month my wife has made more money than me. She is 53.If she retires in 15 years let say she gets 2500 a month how much would we get? Thanks, Jon

Jon, it's just not possible to say without more information, including which benefits you might each file for and when as well as each of your earnings histories. Thanks, John

If my spouse who's 5 years older than me takes his benefit now at age 68 can he switch to my substantially higher benefit when I file? If my spouse files now does the means test include my earnings since we file a joint return? My spouse is retired so he has minimal income. Can I collect a spousal benefit three years from now when I turn 66 and defer my benefit (so it grows) until I'm 70? I think I can since I was 62 in 2015 but want to make sure. What's the best strategy to maximize what we collect? I'm worried if my husband files now he'll be locked into his lower rate.