It has been suggested that my wife file for SS benefits in a few months when she reaches age 62. I ask whether you agree. She is 9 yrs and 11 months younger than me, I had a substantially larger lifetime earnings records, I deferred taking SS benefits until age 70, we both have a defined benefit pension (hers is very modest), and we assume that we will each live to an average actuarial age based on our current ages (almost 72 male and almost 62 female). I am required to take substantial RMD's, we are in the 25% marginal tax bracket, and we do not need her SS benefit (approx.

Hi Larry-
I'm almost 58 and currently working for the government as a DoD employee. I am also retired from the military. I am considering retiring in two years and spending down our TSP account and delaying applying for Social Security until 66/10 at the earliest and 70 at the latest. Completely spending down the TSP will eliminate the minimum required distribution at 70.5 but more importantly limits my taxable income to retirement income only when we apply for Social Security...what do you think of my strategy?

Hi,

Hi Larry: I'm 72 and began taking my Social Security at 64, My wife will be 64 this June. She is thinking about suspending her own Social Security at age 65 until she is 70, but would like to get spousal benefits based on my record when she turns 65 and begins Medicare. If she suspends her benefits until age 70, but takes spousal benefits at age 65 what would her expected benefit be if my annual benefit is $20,600? Are there any pitfalls that we need to be aware of if she does this?

Hi,

I will be 68 in November and plan to start receiving benefits effective 1/18. My wife will be 62 in March and her work benefits are low. My benefit would be around $3100 per month and she would be eligible for spousal at 4/18 of about $1100 part month. My wife does not work so we thought this was the best way to go as the spousal is much more than her regular benefit would be even at FRA. Is there any other considerations?

Hi,

Hi Larry, I am 64 soon to turn 65 in May 2017. My wife is 2.5 years younger than me born Oct 1954. I am trying to figure out the best claiming strategy for both of us. Her work record does not have enough credits to claim on her own (32) and she hasn't worked since 1981. She will have to collect on her Spousal benefit. I am thinking about delaying my Social Security benefit after age 66 but not sure what other options we have together. I know that file and suspend is gone now, but something about being born before Jan. 1, 1954 will allow me to still suspend my claim.

I am 63 (64 this year), working part time. My husband will be 58 this year working full time. We are married over 30 years. A friend told me that I am able to collect against my husbands social security now, and continue working, until I reach my retirement age of 66. Is this true ?

Hi,

If I am receiving SS disability benefits and am 54 can my husband collect spousal benefits he is going to retire and is 65 and should he wait until he is 70 to collect his social security and will that increase my benefits at that time.

Hi,

Hi Larry/Jerry,

I just turned 66 years of age. My wife is already collecting social security having reached 66 years of age 2 years ago. I am still working and plan on not filing for my benefits until I am 70 years old to maximize my benefit amount.
I have been told that I can collect an amount that equals 50% of my wife's monthly benefit if I do not collect my own at this time and can do that until I file for my own benefits when I turn 70 years old. Is this true and if it is true will doing so change the amount I can collect at 70 years old?

Hi,

My husband is taking his social security benefit at age 70. I am 67. May I draw spousal benefits until I reach age 70, then convert to my own benefit. My own benefit will be twice the spousal benefit. We Both have high earnings records. I was born in 1950; my husband was born in 1947.

Hi,