I am 66 and started collecting $2,500/mo last July. My wife will be 66 in Aoril of 2021 and can collect $1,900/mo shortly thereafter. Should she proceed or is there a better way to proceed?

Hi,

Your wife will only be eligible for her own benefit since it's clearly more than half of your full rate. She could apply for her benefits any time between now and age 70, and basically, the sooner she starts drawing the lower her monthly rate will be. It mostly comes down to which option she's most comfortable with.

Hi Larry:

I am currently receiving a spousal benefit of $1194 and turn 70 in June 2021. Would it be wise to collect my own benefit of $1854 six months early at age 66.5 to receive $708 per month more from Jan to June 2021. In June at age 70 I will receive $1902. I believe it will take a little over six years to break even. Is this wise to collect early when I am so close to 70? I am in excellent health and don't see any issues with a short retirement.

Hi,

Larry, I have a couple of questions about the spousal benefit. But first a little background. My wife has her own benefit based on her earnings but it is less than half of mine at our FRAs. She is about two years older than I am. My FRA is 67 and my wife's FRA is 66 and 10 months. I am currently 59 and plan to retire next year. I plan to delay claiming my benefit as long as possible, preferably age 70.

I have retired and am receiving benefits. My wife is 62.5 y/o and we would like to develop a plan for her to follow.

Hi,

Your wife's best strategy depends on numerous different factors. I would suggest that you strongly consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to fully analyze all of your wife's various options so that she can choose the best plan for maximizing her benefits.

Best, Jerry

Hi Larry my question is I applied for divorced widower /benefits I think I made the best decision because even at my FRA I only get 50 more rather when I turn 70 opposed to me getting it now and I Just turned 60 it would be crazy to me to wait 10 years to get 50 extra not to mention I make more almost twice more with taking my benefits Now than I get from my job am out and I did all my research am still doing all my math i am aware also of how much you can make while getting my benefits and that works fine for me He my ex made twice more than me and we been married 14 years I ne

Larry, My wife and I have both retired. I will be 67 in November (born before 1/2/1954). She reached 65 in October. Her maximum personal Social Security benefit will be about 56% of my maximum benefit (if each were to be claimed at age 70 respectively). Her personal benefit at her Full Retirement Age (FRA) would be about 43% of my maximum (age 70) benefit. Her personal benefit if applied for in January 2021 would be about 40% of my maximum benefit. We plan to wait until I reach age 70 to apply for my personal Social Security benefit.

I am turning 65 on March 1st
I was married over 10 years and divorced over 2years . I have not yet started my social security benefits. I am not remarried. Trying to find best strategy for my social security benefits. Im still working, and at full retirement I collect $985 . . I don’t know ex spouse retired benefits, she’s over 62 urs old , we were married in Florida and both live in Florida currently.
Thank you

Hi,

In need of your expertise. My husband is 70 and has collected SS since his 70th birthday. I will be 65 on November 28 born in 1955. Should I start collecting my own benefits at 66+2months, FRA? They are half of what my husband collects. Is there some kind of spousal benefit I should look into? How can I maximise my benefit? I will not be able to wait until age 70 to file, as money is running out. Thank you, kindly.

Hi,

I receive Ssdi and my husband was just diagnosed with APL leukemia. He doesn’t have enough quarters in recently to qualify for SSDI. Being married does that disqualify him for SSI where would we be better off having him file for early retirement he will be 62 in May? I have heard with what I get he will not get SSI benefits unless we are divorced could you please let me know about that.

Hi,