I will be 60 in January and am still working making about $40,000/year. My spouse passed away 6 years ago at age 62 and made significantly more money than me. Should I start taking his social security when I turn 60? I am so confused having read so many different articles about what to do. I also have a Milford, CT city pension once I retire.

Thank you so much, Amy

Hi Amy,

I'm sorry for your loss.

I am 61 turning 62 in January. My husband is 66 at his full retirement age but is not presently taking social security benefits. He may wait until he is 70. If I take benefits at 62 at a reduced amount can I then once he retires take a spousal benefit as his benefit is higher or will my benefit be permanently reduced since I took it early? If I take my early benefit at 62 can he apply for spousal on my earnings and then apply for his benefit at 70? Is a spousal benefit determined by benefit amount at full retirement age (in his case 66) or the benefit amount at 70?

What month should I switch from spousal benefits to my own? I have been drawing spousal benefits since I reached full retirement age of 66 but continued working. I got in under the wire on the new law. I am now 68. I retired 6/30/2017. Because I contacted SSA in August, they told me I can begin receiving my own benefits as early as February 2017. Should I begin benefits in February or in July of 2017?

Hi,

TOPIC: OLDER WIFE

Due to the requirements of a private disability plan I had to take social security disability early at age 65.5. I was planning to take 'ss at age 70. When I turned 66 the payments switched from disability to normal SS benefits. I get approximately 2600 per month ( pre medicare deduction). My wife is 63 and turns 64 on October 21 of this year. She will receive approximately 2,200 per month at full retirement. (1849 at age 63) The disability I was on which triggered the payments is leukemia and there is a chance I will be deceased in the next few months.

I have your newest book and read 'Ask Larry' everyday. I am still a bit confused about our filing strategy. I will be 66 in March 2018 my husband will be 65 in June of 2018, making us both born before 1954. We would like to start my social security, I am the lower age earner, and have him take the spousal benefit before he is age 66. Can we do that and still let his SS grown a few more years. Would that have any effect on my future widow amount? Thank you so much for helping all of us out here.

Hi,

I'm 62 and spouse was on disability, social security benefits monthly were $1,900.00. I'm a widow now & have been for over 4 years. When I checked at 3 different social security offices, I was given 3 different figures I could draw monthly. I am still working, but would like to know if I retired at 63, what could I draw monthly. My husband & I were married 5 yrs. Please call me if possible. Thank you.

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.

Hi Larry,

My husband and I are full retirement age. We both have enough points for benefits. I'd like to start my benefits now but he doesnt. I'd like to know if that's possible and what the future ramifications are of just starting my benefits now.

Hi,

When my wife reached 62, I will already be 70 (the age at which I started taking my SS Benefit). My benefit will be about $ 3050.00/Month. My wife's SS at 62 will be only about $ 225.00/Month. Should she take her SS at 62 along with Spousal Benifit or wait until her FRA of 66 yrs 8 mo?

Hi,