I will turn 70 on March 20, 2017. I applied for benefits and suspended them in Fall 2015. They have sent me a letter, which I received in December 2015, stating that my entitlement date is May 2015 and and my benefit rate is $1883. The letter also states that they will reinstate my benefits at age 70. Later last fall, they sent me a letter stating that my benefit amount was increased by approximately $8 due to income figures from 2015. The result is a benefit rate of $1991. This letter has been misplaced by me.

Larry, I am receiving divorced spousal benefits, I will be 70 in May 2017 when I want to get benefits on my own record, can I still receive the spousal benefit as well? Do I have to notify social Security that I want to start drawing my own benefits?

Hi,

My husband is 66.5 and plans on filing this month for benefits. A recent letter from SS says you receive an 8% increase for each year you delay filing until age 70. Question: if he waits until his 67th birthday (9/16); will he receive the 8% increase? I called Social Security with this question, and they advised us to go to my local office where they'd be able to do the projection. They further said we MUST go to the local office determined by our zip code (which is in an area we don't feel is safe). Are you aware of any rule that supports that?

Hi,

Larry:

What is the process to switch from receiving spousal benefits to filing for benefits under your own earnings record/social security number?

I've scoured many social security websites but can't seem to find a concise answer.

Thanks

Hi,

You'll need to file a separate application to start benefits on your own record. If your own benefit rate is higher than the spousal benefit, the spousal benefits will stop when your own benefits start.

Hello,
My wife and I have run the maximization software. I will be 66 on July 16, 2018. My wife will be 64 on May 1, 2018. The software indicates that she should file for her own benefit in July, 2018, and that I should file for a spousal benefit that same month (July, 2018). Should my wife file before I file? If so, how far in advance of my filing should she file?
Thanks,
David

Hi David,

When my wife files for social security benefits will the SSA automatically know and apply the spousal benefit for her ? She is eligible for a benefit on her own record but not as much as the spousal benefit will be.
Regards dlt

Hi,

Your wife would need to file separate applications for retirement benefits and spousal benefits. The applications ask for marital information, and Social Security uses that information to determine if the person filing is eligible for spousal benefits.

Best, Jerry

I want my retirement benefits to begin precisely on the date I turn 70 (i.e. - 5/21/47), what month then do I indicate I want the benefits to begin May or June ? Is there proration by the birth date within the month ?
Thanks,
john

Hi John,

My wife retired at 62 to take care of aging mother and help daughters with our grandchildren. I am still working and just turned 65 and filed for Medicare. My goal is to keeping working as long as God gives me good mind and health, so would start taking SS at age 70. So when I turn 66, I need to file and suspend? So when I turn 70, I can go to SS website and say I am ready to start collecting? Is that all I need to do?

I recently completed my Social Security retirement application online and didn't understand question 23, which asked to list each month of 2016 in which I did not or will not earn more than $1310? I am not eligible for benefits until March 2017. I thought these exempt months count only when I start receiving benefits. Thank you.

Hi,

Hi. My mother will turn 66 in March 2017. If she wants to apply for SS, does she need to do so three months before her actual birth date? If she does not do so, does she then have to wait until the following year?

Hi,

No. Your mother could file her application anytime between now and the end of September 2017 and still be able to elect March 2017 as her month of entitlement. This is because applications filed after full retirement age can be retroactive for up to 6 months.