Dear Larry, I read your book "Get What's Yours" (2016 edition) and my head is still spinning. There were some social security changes in beginning of 2017, and since I was unable to locate a 2017 edition, I checked internet for the 2017 changes so am trying to incorporate the 2017 changes with the information in your 2016 edition.
We have several questions about this process and hope you can guide is in the right direction.
1. I am 62 years old this year and my husband will be 65 next year. I still work full-time, and my husband stopped working about 8 years ago. I have social security earnings and would receive about $2,800/month at FRA (66 years, 2 months) and $3,659/month at age 70. My husband has some earnings which amount to 8 credits. What would be the best strategy for filing for social security and medicare for us?
2. Your website mentions a software to help plan this out. Where do we find the software?
3. Very Important Question: Your book mentions that Congress made some last minute changes to social security for 2016 and again for 2017. This was done without input from the public. How do we (the public) go about reversing these changes for both 2016 and 2017? The President Congress should not be allowed to make any changes without public commentary and input - this should be unconstitutional. This is going behind everyone's backs when they have full salaries and fully paid health care.
4. Medicare: If I'm still working and have health insurance from the office that covers my husband, does he need to apply for Medicare next year when he turns 65 even though he is covered under my employer's plan?
5. Any other suggestions, insights or tips on social security and medicare would highly appreciated. You would save a working class family from not being able to support themselves after a lifetime of hard work.
Hi,
I'm not sure what you're referring to by changes in 2017, but I'll address your questions in order:
1) When to start drawing benefits is a personal decision, and there isn't necessarily a 'best' time. Your husband can't draw spousal benefits until you start drawing your benefits, so that could factor into your decision making. However, if he worked for a government agency and receives a pension based on earnings that were exempt from Social Security taxes, he may not be able to receive spousal benefits anyway (https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10007.pdf). You should strongly consider using the maximization software available on this website to explore your filing options and determine your best overall strategy.
2) You can sign up for our software by clicking on the 'Purchase' link at the top of this page.
3) The changes you refer to are apparently the ones passed by Congress in 2015 (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/claiming.html?intcmp=AE-RET-PLRT-REL...). Social Security law can only be amended by Congress, so the only way to get a law changed is to convince enough Congress people to pass a bill that is then signed by the President.
4) Probably not, assuming that there are at least 20 employees covered by your employer plan. However, your husband could sign up for Part A of Medicare at age 65 with no premium payments required based on your Social Security earnings history. He could also sign up for Part B of Medicare, but he would have to pay premiums for that coverage. Medicare would likely be secondary to his coverage under your employer plan for as long as you continue to work, in which case your husband may want to delay signing up for Part B until you retire. For more information on Medicare, refer to Social Security's website: https://www.ssa.gov/medicare/.
5) Nothing else comes to mind, but the book you mentioned is a great source of information.
Best, Jerry
