I have a unique situation. I retired at the age of 60 from 25 years of teaching in Michigan. I am married to a retired railroad man who worked for 42 years. When I retired I began collecting approximately 1/2 the amount my husband received from Railroad Retretirement. I will be 70 in August. I just received my SS Benefit schedule that says that at 70 I would receive $2,190 in SS. I currently receive $1418 in RR retirement, a $772 difference. Can I now apply for SS at 70 or does my starting RR retirement at 60 end that possibility? Also, if my husband dies before me I will stop getting my RR retirement amount and instead get my husband's amount. Would that still happen if I was collecting on my own SS amount? I don't know who to ask for help. Thanks

Hi,

Yes, you can file for your Social Security benefits at age 70, and you will receive delayed retirement credits even though you've been receiving railroad benefits since age 60. It certainly sounds like filing for your Social Security retirement benefits at age 70 is clearly the best option in your case.

When you start getting Social Security retirement benefits, your Tier 1 Railroad benefits will stop since they are lower than your Social Security rate. However, you can still potentially receive Tier 2 Railroad benefits in addition to your Social Security. The same principle will apply if your husband dies before you and you become eligible for Railroad survivor benefits. That is, you would be eligible for the higher of your Social Security or Tier 1 Railroad rate, plus your Tier 2 Railroad rate.

Best, Jerry