Hello,
I just turned 62. My wife will turn 62 later this year. I have the larger SS benefit and plan to wait until at least FRA to file. While we do not need SS income to meet our needs, I'm reading that perhaps my wife should file @62 to maximize benefits, as there is little advantage to her waiting due to my larger check as a survivor benefit. This, of course, suggests that I don't make it to life expectancy. Here's a piece of what I read:

I am soon to be 66 (06/10/17) and I am still working and planning to work past 70. My wife is 64 and she is a housewife (never worked). We have not applied for SS benefits.We have been married for 40 yrs. I am aware that the law changed in 2016. What would be the best strategy going for applying and receiving benefits.

Hi,

If before my husband retires I (Doris) take my $4020, can I still receive the full 1/2 spousal benefit when Haydn retires (at 70)? Should/can Haydn claim spousal benefit (1/2, or $2000) from Doris' SS claim when he turns 66? Does SS pay Doris AND me if both of us are alive?

Hi,

Dear Larry,

My husband is about to turn 62. I am about to turn 30. We have been married for almost 6 years and we have a child together who just turned 5 years old. I have worked very little and I am currently a stay at home mom. From social security, my husband's estimated benefit is about $2,700 per month if he were to retire at age 66 and 2 months FRA. Could you please let me know your strategy suggestions given our large age difference? Thanks for any advice you may have. Very Best, Anonymous

Hi Anonymous,

Widow, never remarried, husband disabled July 2003, began receiving SS Disability Nov. 2003 (age 53 but Nov. 11 age 54), deceased Aug. 2011. Have been employed, never applied for nor received any of husband’s SS. Want to receive spousal benefits at age 66, Sept. 2018, receive my SS at age 70. What procedure on my behalf will ensure full spousal benefit age 66-70, my full benefit at age 70 which will be greater than husband’s SS?

Get What's Yours (Copyright 2015) purchased and read--excellent resource

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.

Hello Mr. Larry!
My husband is retired military, he took out the SBP, he has also applied for his social security benefit at age 62 which will begin at the end of June 2017. We had a very small home based business that we did not take a salary; unfortunately the business isn't doing much business and therefore he hasn't paid into SS since 1998. His military retirement won't be effective for taking his social security.

I thought I was fairly financially savvy. Then I started reading several of your articles and answers today. I don't feel so savvy now! I am 61, married with dependent children. I am a military veteran with pension and a current federal civil servant (FERS). I want to "retire" and do other things with my life. I am thinking since I will be a dreaded but grateful "Triple Dipper" with lifetime COLA protected annuities it would be OK for me to retire "early" at age 62 and begin enjoying life more. Any thoughts?

My birthdate 7/14/53, my wife's 8/27/53. My estimated benefit at full retirement $2527, wife's $1268. Wife retired last year, I expect to retire at age 65, preferably about a month before I turn 65. No rush to collect, long life expectancies. Should she start collecting now? At age 66? When I retire? Or at age 70? Should I take a spousal benefit on her account? I am assuming I should wait until I turn 70 to collect on my account, correct?

My wife made significantly less money than I did and is 4 years older than me.
I was thinking that she should start taking her SS benefits now, at age 63.

My thinking is that I will hold off collecting benefits until I am 70 years old which is in about 10.5 years at which point she will start taking spousal benefits.

I am now 68 and have not filed for SS benefits and continue to work - waiting until age 70. My wife of 40 + years turns 66 this summer (2017). My benefit amount will likely be at the SS maximum. Although she has retirement credits from working at various times over the years, 50% of my benefit, as a spousal benefit, will be substantially higher than hers. Are we better off waiting until I turn 70 for her to draw a benefit, or is her spousal benefit capped when she turns 66 and reaches FRA? The goal is to receive the maximum benefit for both of us.
Thanks