7/6/16 Larry: I bought your book about six or eight months ago, GET WHAT's YOURS which has a publication date of February 2015. So it is now out of date. I am waiting until I hit age 67 this fall to file for ss benefits. My wife is a few months younger and just filed for her full benefits in June 2016. I would like to file for the spousal benefit under her until late this fall when I will I will reach 67. Would that hurt the monthly benefit I will receive. I just was forced out of my job a few days ago. My benefit will be considerably larger than what she is receiving. Will it hurt me to file for unemployment for the first six months.

Hi,

Yes, if your wife is drawing her benefits you should definitely file a restricted application for spousal benefits only ASAP. That will not affect the amount you eventually receive on your own account, so it's essentially free money.

In fact, you should strongly consider staying on spousal benefits until you reach age 70, which will allow your benefit amount to grow by another 24% above what you would receive at age 67. That increase would also carry over to your wife's potential widow's benefit if you die first.

Unemployment benefits do not affect Social Security benefits, however, your unemployment benefits may be reduced if you are also receiving Social Security. Still, it's likely that you will receive more in total if you file for both unemployment and Social Security spousal benefits. You may want to check that out with the agency handling your unemployment benefits, though.

By the way, the great majority of the information in the original version of the book 'Get What's Yours' is still accurate, but a revised edition that accounts for the recent changes in Social Security law passed by Congress in October last year is now available.

Best, Jerry