Hi,

Hello all,
I bought the e book and found it very helpful but I am not sure about a couple of things.
I lost my wife in 2010 she was 59 I was 55 now 62. I have contacted social security and found out that she would get about $20 more than me at FRA. I am working and could overtake that number by the time I reach FRA; will SS allow me to collect widowers benefit on her SS if hers is less than mine? and let mine grow to age 70 or do I have to take the higher one at that time.

My husband is retired and collecting Social Security. I reached full retirement age of 66 in May; I took Medicare but not social security. I heard that I could collect spousal benefits now on my husband's record and then, when I retire, I can collect my own, higher benefits. Is that accurate?

Hi,

Yes, that's still an option for you because you were born prior to January 2 1954 (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/deemedfaq.html).

If I wait to FRA to claim benefits and my wife then claims claims spousal benefits before reaching her FRA , what are the ramifications for her potential to receive larger pension benefits in the future?(She has much lower PIA than I do)

Hi,

If your wife claims spousal benefits before full retirement age (FRA), she'll also be deemed to be filing on her own record and she'll only receive what is essentially the higher of the 2 benefits. Her benefit rate will also be reduced for age, and the earlier she files the more the reduction.

I think we have a complicated situation and am trying to understand the best strategy for my husband and I. My husband will be 70 in 2 weeks. He recently was upgraded to VA Individual Unemployability rating and soon we should hear about 100% disability rating from the VA. He filed for his social security at 64 because he couldn't work - he was denied SSDI at that time, he didn't know he could appeal. I was planning on waiting until 70 to file for my SS benefits- I am currently 64 and self employed as a tutor. I appreciate any recommendations you can give us. Thank you.

I am born on 2/14/1951 and my wife on 5/19/1954. My income is much greater than hers. She can start collecting her SS benefits in January 2018 (she will have the required 40 credits by the end of 2017). She will be getting minimum benefits but that is better than nothing. I plan to work at least until I am 70. From reading your book I understand that I can request spousal benefits without risking being deemed to get my own. However, I could not figure out if my wife can request spousal benefits later when I file for benefits at 70.

I turn 62 next month and I'm not working now and probably wont go back into the workplace.. My wife is one year younger than me and is still working. Her earnings over the years has been much higher than mine. Can I claim spousal benefit right away? Should I? If not, can I claim my own now and claim hers at another time? She will be earning $100,000+ per year while she continues to work. We both have various IRA, 401K , etc.
Thank You

Hi,

I went to the Social Security office but did not get an answer to my question. I a 60 1/2 years old and wanted to know if I can start collecting survivor benefits and suspend when I am able to get a job. When I restart, what would my survivor benefits be, at my current rate if I start collecting or at a higher rate. I plan to wait till I am 70 to switch over to my own benefits as my benefit amounts are actually higher than my survivor benefits when I turn 62. The cash inflow from the survivor benefits would help pay bills. Thanks

Hi,

I was hoping you can help me help my parents determine their best option. Here are the facts:

Dad - Born in July, 1951. Became sick (will have a reduced life expectancy) and began taking SS retirement benefits in January of 2017 (6 months before FRA). He gets 2,527/month

Mom - Born in January 1955. Had to stop working to take care of dad. She is very healthy and has parents alive in their 90s.
FRA Payment: 2,264
Age 62 Payment: 1,614
Age 70 Payment: 3,024

I am turning 65 this Sunday, July 16. I have already acquired medicare Part A and B and a supplemental insurance policy from mututal of Omaha. I have talked with numerous people about whether to start receiving my social security benefits now - or later in a year or two. I am retired now - but never had a career where I have retirement benefits. I am married and my husband is a business lawyer who still works and probably will for another 8-10 years - making on an average of at least $200,000 a year.