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Filing Strategies

When Is The Best Time For Me To Start Drawing Benefits?

This coming Oct/2016 I will be 62 years old, no kids, divorced, in good health overall, my assets are about $400.000/IRA, owned my house, no debts, and happy with myself. I forgot to mention that I get a small company pension for life.

After this introduction my question to you is the following: Is it worth for me to wait a few more years to claim my Social security?

Hi,

Posted: 
Monday, August 8, 2016 - 10:30

When Should Chuck File?

We are Chuck and Deb, making respectively $85000 and $50000 per year. We have about $400000 in a SIMPLE plan, no mortgage and about $400000 equity in our home. Deb, 64, is planning to take social security next year. Chuck, 64, is planning to wait and work a few more years. How long should he wait? Should he take his "spousal benefit" when he does quit working, and wait till 70 to get the full benefit? Currently ss says Deb will get $1032/month and Chuck will get $1892/month now, $2252/month at 66, and $3024/month at 70. We live comfortably on just C's income.

Posted: 
Sunday, August 7, 2016 - 11:45

Will Filing For Reduced Widow's Benefits Affect My Own Benefit At Age 70?

I am 61 and retired. My husband died in 1998 and I have not remarried. We were married 7.5 years. I want to claim his ss now and wait until I am 70 to claim mine. However, someone told me that if I do that before age 66, they will limit what I receive at 70. Is that true?

Hi,

No, that's not true. The amount payable on your own record at age 70 will not be any lower regardless of how soon you start drawing widow's benefits.

Posted: 
Saturday, August 6, 2016 - 11:15

Should I Wait Until Age 67 To Start Drawing?

Hi Larry,
My partner is on SS disability and is 60 years old. I am 61 and will be 62 in October.
I am a teacher, not vested fully until two more years for retirement, which will be 15 years of service, since I started this career late.
My current salary is 60k. Finances have been difficult over the past years since my partner has battled cancer. She is in remission now. Her SS disability pays about 13-14k per year. Savings are very small and we live in a mobile home, so I know the return on this housing is not the best.

Posted: 
Friday, August 5, 2016 - 11:30

Did I Make The Right Choice?

I received divorced spousal benefits at 66 ( the age I thought I was eligible )- could I have gotten those benefits earlier ( though a moot point now)?
I have now taken my own benefit ( turning 70) and took the option 1 ( six month back payout and a little bit less each month than if waited til 70 th
birthday). Finally, Medicare was paid twice for those six months - ( was deducted from the payout)-how to I get that reimbursed?
Thank you!!!

Hi,

Posted: 
Friday, August 5, 2016 - 11:15

Can I Work Part-Time And Still Receive Reduced Social Security Benefits?

I was getting ready to file an application for early Social Security benefits. I am 61 and 9 months. My husband is 53 and collects disability due to blindness, if we really needed the money badly. Because of family health issues and taking care of family I have not worked for the last six years. I just got an offer for a job part-time at a local store, and since my father died in January I have decided to take the part time job. Is it okay that I go ahead forward with my application for Social Security and go ahead and work at the same time?

Posted: 
Thursday, August 4, 2016 - 14:00

Can I Collect Half Of My Spouse's Benefit Under The New Law?

My spouse retired at 66 (FRA) and does not want to go back to work. I will be 66 this year but want to wait until 70 to retire.
Can I collect half of my spouses social security with the new laws?
Do I need to file with social security at 66 so they know I'm waiting until 70 to retire?
Is there anything else I need to be aware of? I'm currently 1/4 of the way through your revised book. There is so much to learn but I'm currently only interested in what pertains to me.

Posted: 
Thursday, August 4, 2016 - 13:45

Isn't It Better To Take Social Security Benefits Early And Invest Them?

I am currently 65, and planning to file for social security when I turn 66 next May. My wife just turned 63. My original plan was to have her file for benefits next May, and I would file a restricted application for spousal benefits at the same time. That would generate about $1,200 in monthly benefit. I would file for my benefit at age 70 and she would switch to a spousal benefit at that time.

Posted: 
Thursday, August 4, 2016 - 13:15

Should I File At 66 Or 70?

I just reached my FRA for SS, not collecting yet, so I checked into claiming spousal benefits from my spouse who has been collecting her benefits for 4 years. I was informed by SS my spousal benefit would be negated due to the Government Pension Offset law. I have a government pension from 30 years law enforcement career. I also worked PT and later FT earning SS credits so I do have a SS benefit. I know my benefit will be reduced by the WEP so have been holding off collecting to maximize the benefit.

Posted: 
Wednesday, August 3, 2016 - 14:00
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