What month should I switch from spousal benefits to my own? I have been drawing spousal benefits since I reached full retirement age of 66 but continued working. I got in under the wire on the new law. I am now 68. I retired 6/30/2017. Because I contacted SSA in August, they told me I can begin receiving my own benefits as early as February 2017. Should I begin benefits in February or in July of 2017?

Hi,

Assuming that your own rate would be higher than your spousal rate, in all likelihood your best option would be to wait until age 70 to switch to your own record. The sooner that you start drawing on your own account before then, the lower your monthly benefit rate would be.

You should strongly consider using the maximization software available on this website to explore and compare all of your filing options before you decide what to do.

Best, Jerry