Ask Larry

Should I File Now Or at Age 70?

I will turn 66 mid July, and am working full time with an annual sLary off @60k. I plan to work for maybe 10 more years. My wife is 52 and working full time, and will be for many years to come. Question is should I start to draw my SS benifts now, at full retirement age, or wait until age 70? How will this effect my wife's claims going forward?

Ernest,
It depends on your goals. If you want current income you could take your retirement benefit now at your full retirement age. If you want the maximum lifetime Social Security benefits, then you should delay your retirement benefit until age 70. Your wife's widow’s benefit, if you die before her, will be the larger of what you are receiving at the time of death or her retirement benefit. So, delaying your retirement benefit until age 70 may increase her widow's benefit. Our software, MaximizeMySocialSecurity, will not only tell you what filing strategy maximizes your lifetime benefits, but it will also allow you to explore trade-offs with other filing strategies.
Best,
Mike

Posted: 
Jul 10 2016 - 4:30pm
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