I am 70 and my wife is 66. She started to collect when she was 62. I took the spousal option until this year. She collects much less than I do. Question is, is the calculation for her to collect 1/2 of my payment based on what she actually collects or what she would collect if she had waited to full retirement age?

Hi,

my DOB 1/27/49 and began collecting SS 1/27/15 , my wife DOB 6/5/51 still working and NOT collecting. We have been told by SS that she can not get spousal benefits TWICE ,, is this correct ?? Is there anything else we can do to maximize our benefits ?

Thanks you

Hi,

Hi, My husband is 73 and began taking SS at 62. He got Parkinson's and cancer at about that time, but was told he wasn't eligible for disability because he had not worked enough (he was a stay at home Dad for a number of years). He has an ex-wife from 50!! years ago that is getting his spousal SS. I am 60 and we have been married 32 years and have 2 children together. I would like to retire but keep working because of his health care needs. I hope to retire when I'm 61-62 even though it's not fiscally wise. I would like a year or two of retirement before health problems.

I read your article on "Will Social Security Fix Its Mistake That May Be Costing You Tens of Thousands?". I am requesting your help for our situation. My husband's birth date is 8/9/1947. When he turned 65 in August 2012, we filed and suspended the social security benefits for him. My birth date is 6/4/1951. When I turned 62 in June 2013, I applied for early retirement age.

When I turn 66, can I take collect my spousal benefits if my spouse is taking his SS benefits and he does not suspend?
Do I have to sign up for my benefits and then suspend to collect the spousal benefits?
Thank you,
Mary

I was born on Feb 29, 1956. My wife was born on Dec 1, 1957. I plan on working, and delaying my Social Security until age 70 (March 1, 2026). My estimated FRA benefit is $,2500/month. My age 70 benefit is about $3,252/month. My wife's age 62 benefit is about $1,000/month and FRA is $1,532/month. Can she file for Social Security at age 62 (2019) and then file again, once I file for Social Security, in 2026? I have read that the spouse can file and get 50 percent of the higher earning spouse, but I cannot figure out "half of what"? Is it half of the FRA amount?

I will be turning 66 in October 2016. My wife is 47 and receiving SS Disability can I file a Restricted Application for a spousal benefit only this month?
Thank you, Joe

Joe,
You can file a restricted application for spouse's benefits only at or after your full retirement age (FRA). Do not file before your FRA or you'll be deemed to have filed for both your retirement and spouse's brnefit at thet time, i.e. you won't be able to file a restricted application.
Best,
Mike

I'm 54 and have a contribution history with the SSA that will allow me to draw normal benefits once I hit retirement age. My wife on the other hand is 62 any has never built up credits with the SSA. Can she claim spousal benefits now or do we have to wait till I'm old enough to qualify?

Paul,
Your wife cannot claim her spouse's benefit until you file for your retirement benefit.
Best,
Mike

Hi, I am 61. My husband is 63. We retired very early and live off of investments. Neither of us are likely to have long life expectancies, especially my spouse who has a chronic illness. I was the higher earning. If I take SS at full retirement age I will roughly get 2200 in benefits per month, or 1660 if I take at age 62. My husband did not have much in earnings, he collects 662 per month in social security, having started at age 62. The question is what would his spousal benefit be.

I am 67 and have deferred my social security (letting it increase until i'm 70). At 66 it would have been $2500/mo.
My wife turns 62 in Nov 2016. Her current projection at full retirement age is $2400/mo.

Is there any chance of either of us getting spousal benefits?
Thanks!