My mom filed early for her Social Security benefits at age 62. She receives a very low amount based on her record. My father plans to wait until full retirement age to file for his benefits. He will be entitled to a much higher benefit based upon his work record. When he does file, will my mom's benefit then be stepped up to the full 50% spousal benefit or will she be penalized for claiming her own benefits early? What can my mom expect to receive? Thank you!

Hi,

Dear Larry:
Two questions: I'm still working at 66 and don't yet draw SS benefits, and my wife is also 66 but began her benefits at age 62. Question: When I finally retire and file for my benefits at 68 (my target) and my wife files for spousal support, is it true because she began at 62 that she's only entitled to “receive” 35% of what would be the normal 50% spousal value based on my benefit amount? Or, is that 50% amount “reduced” by 35%? Both conditions offer very different math outcomes, but I'm getting conflicting info from SSA and other online articles.

i am 68 and on ssa retirement i was on disability my wife who does not have enough credits on her own account has been disabled longer than me when i first became disabled i had employer disability which they said disqualified her from spousal benefit she is now 62 if she takes her spousal benefit now at a reduced rate and i die when she is 64 would her survivor benefit be at a reduced 62 or 64 rate also could she collect as a disabled spouse on my record and have her reduced survivor benefit at fra no longer be reduced thank for your time

Hi,

I will continue to work- I will be 65 in March 2017- and just started SS. Will my husband's restricted spousal benefit go up as I try to knock off my lower earning of the 35 years? What per cent per year will my own benefit year increase as I replace lower earning years? Some years being replaced will be significant.. Thanks..

Hi,

My husband will be 66 (FRA) on May 14, 2017. He will be applying for the restricted spousal benefit only. Do you tell SS that May is the month you want to begin your entitlement? Or do you say June? We just want to make sure we do this FRA correctly. He wants to begin right away. How early can you submit this application. Thanks...

Hi,

Full retirement age for your husband is May 2017, so that's the month he'd choose as his first month of entitlement. Social Security payments for May are paid in June, though.

I am 59 and the major money earner. My wife is 66 and at her FRA. She will retire at 67, and her earnings are quite a bit less than mine (and of course her SS is much less than mine). My question is can she collect my SS benefits on my higher earnings (I will be 60 when she retires so I will not be able to claim SS) , and what effect will this have on my benefits when I start collecting? Her SS will not be collected until she reaches 70. If she can not use my benefits as a spouse what strategy should we use to maximize our benefits?

Hi,

I am 64 and just applied for SS. I will be 65 on 3/9/17. My first payment is in May due to withholding checks yet this year as I continue to work. My husband will be 66 in May and will do the restricted spousal benefit until he is 70. My question is- what is the excess spousal/ supplemental benefit?? Is this something I can do when he reaches 70 and applies for his own SS? Or is this the best we can do or figure out? Thanks for any input here...

Hi,

My boyfriend divorced in 2016 I have been living with him since 2015. He receives a pension from his job he retired@ 55 and gets 2700 month will start receiving his SS benefits @62 next month. I am 52 and get SSDI. I have a pension plan at my former employer whenever I can start collecting that 60. If I marry him in 2017 what benefits can I get from his ss benefits if any and when. His Ex 51made more than him and is receiving SSDI and LTD benefits.

Hi,

Hi Larry - question about spousal benefits.
I am 69, still working, waiting until 70 to begin SS benefits (begins this coming Dec), did a "file and suspend" prior to the ending date last year.
My wife will be 62 this coming November. Can she file at 62 for spousal benefits to start receiving half my benefit amount? Thanks!

Hi,

My husband started SS benefits at 64.5 years old (to access parent-in-care and CDB) and suspended this past July at FRA. I can start age 62 benefits next month and realize I will be deemed, but is my spousal 50% of his FRA benefit, or some reduced amount because he started benefits early? My own age 62 benefit is $900 and my (former) parent-in-care benefit was $1024.

Hi,