Larry, I will be 75 this August, been receiving social security benefits since age 62. My wife will soon be 65 and contemplating what to do about SS and retirement. Will your book help in our situation - the 10-year age disparity and one on SS and one thinking about it.

Thankx for your time.

Fr. Ray O

Hi Ray,

I think your wife would find the book helpful in making her decision, and she may also want to consider running the maximization software available on this website.

Your wife was born before 1954, so she meets an important grandfathering provision in the new Social Security law passed last year. As a result, she still has the option of filing just for a spousal benefit on your account at age 66, while accruing delayed retirement credits on her own account until age 70. Due to delayed retirement credits, the benefit amount payable on her own account will be 32% higher if she takes it at age 70 as opposed to age 66.

Whether or not that is the best option for her depends on a number of factors, such as your benefit amounts, life expectancy, and financial situation. The book and software are both intended to help people sort through all of the variables in order to arrive at the best solution for them.

Best, Jerry