I am 62 not retired and not working, just married My husband who is retired and collecting his retirement for the past 10 years. I would like to know if I am eligible to received benefits or if his benefits will increase do the fact I am not working.
Hi,
Neither you or your husband would likely be eligible for spousal benefits on the other's record until you've been married for at least a year, unless you meet one of the exceptions ( . . . Read More
Larry,
I will reach my full social security retirement age (66) in mid-November, 2017 and have not yet begun collecting social security benefits. My wife will turn 66 in early February, 2018, but she began claiming social security benefits early at age 63. Since we both reached age 62 prior to 01/01/2016, I understand I can file for benefits later this year upon reaching age 66, but restrict my application to receive only spousal benefits. My questions are as follows: 1) will the spousal benefit I receive be 50% of my wife's reduced benefit amount (for her having begun . . . Read More
I will be 60 this October. I was married 17 years then divorced. My ex-husband died a few years ago. He was receiving social security disability. My daughter had severe disabilities unrelated to his disability and was receiving his benefit and she also died three years ago. Social Security office told me I can collect a widows benefit at 60 if not remarried and still work. I currently work three days a week. My questions are: 1) Would it be wise to collect this benefit at age 60 and work two days week? 2) What if I needed to make more money at some point? Could I just stop . . . Read More
I am 63, retiring in a few months. My wife is 50, retiring at 55. Can I file for spousal benefits at some point, then get full benefits at 70? Also, how would she maximize benefits?
Thank you
Hi,
You can't receive spousal benefits unless your wife is drawing retirement or disability benefits on her record. She can't get retirement benefits until she is at least age 62, but if she became disabled before you apply for benefits on your own record, and if you were born prior to January 2 1954, you could potentially file for spousal benefits only . . . Read More
Mr. Larry!!!! I have your book about maximizing your Social Security. The only thing I comprehend is that I should wait!!!!!!!!! My birth date is 01-31-1956. Getting to my question: I happened upon a fella on the computer. He claims you can get more money by putting one specific word on your S.S. application. I feel like I can hear scraping chalk on the board!!! My imagination is running wild, Larry! Please have someone call me and tell me...... IS THAT WORD "SCAM" ????? Loretta
Hi Loretta,
I worked for Social Security for 36 years, and I don't know . . . Read More
I am 64 and receiving my retirement from my employment and social security. My fiance is 69 and receives the same. We would like to know if our income would be cut once we were married. If we were to marry in another state such as Ohio would it be recorded even if I did not change my last name?
Hi,
Unless you or your fiancée are receiving divorced spousal benefits, your marriage shouldn't adversely affect your Social Security benefits. Depending on your comparative benefit rates, it's even possible that one of you could qualify for additional spousal . . . Read More
Hi Larry,
I know ex-spouse social security benefit payment do NOT include delayed credits, but do ex-spouse SURVIVOR benefits include the delay credit amount ?
Thank You
Hi,
Potentially, yes. In other words, if the deceased worker earned delayed retirement credits (DRC) for deferring their entitlement past full retirement age, those DRC's would be used in calculating the benefit rate of a surviving divorced spouse drawing on that record.
Best, Jerry
I just turned 66 (FRA) and have been collecting on my record for a few years. I meet all of the qualifications for an ex-spouse (never remarried, married over 10 years, etc). I thought that I could start drawing the 50% of benefits off of my former spouse's record (which would be about $200 more per month) now that I am 66. I spoke with my local SS office who said that since I'm already drawing, I can't draw off my former spouse. I've read that you can't always depend on advice you get from SSA. Do you know whether what I was told is correct?
Hi,
I am turning 70 on 8/8/2017. To get the max benefits should I select the start date to be Aug 2017 or Sept 2017?
Hi,
You'd select August 2017 as your month of election, which is the payment that arrives in September 2017.
Best, Jerry
I am an Indian citizen who worked in the U.S. and contributed to the social security system for over 15 years prior to returning to India. My wife is a U.S. citizen but works in India. I am now 63 years old with no source of income in India. Can my wife draw my social security as a spousal benefit. She is 55 years old. I had a green card but returned it in 2002 since it was difficult for me to fulfil the requirements to keep it. I beleive that as a non U.S. citizen, I cannot claim my social security.
Hi,
It sounds like both you and you wife would be . . . Read More
Results will differ based on your specific case and filing strategy.