Filing For Early Retirement Benefits

Dear Larry, I wish I would have found this several months ago, which would have greatly reduced my stress and frustration. What a wonderful service! My husband and I had carefully planned our retirement strategy and then planned it again based upon the significant law changes five years ago. I am almost seven years younger than my husband, so we decided to definitely wait for his filing for retirement benefits until he was seventy because he planned to continue working past seventy, etc..

Hi, if i take social security benefits at 63 at reduced rates, do my benifits go back to full rate when i am at full retirement age?
Jim

Hi Jim,

Urgent because I am so broke. My birthday is Dec. 30 and I'll be 63. I'm putting in for early benefits. Is it really worth it to delay my application for that 5%? Do they prorate the previous year so that I get at least some of the higher benefit--or am I treated the same as if I applied on my birthday at 62.

This really is urgent because I can't keep up with my rent and need cash ASAP.

Signed,

Just another American "Hero"

Hi,

Larry.

I am almost 62 years old. I plan to take social security benefits when i am age 62, I understand that the amount will be a reduced benefit based on my Full Retirement Age (FRA) amount at age 67. So looking at my current social security statement estimate if I take it at FRA 67, from what I have read, this amount does NOT include any future unknown COLA adjustments from now to that age (62 to 67).

I'm turning 62 next month, my husband started collecting his benefit at 65, not his full retirement age. I'm no longer working. Am I able to file for benefits at 62? Would I be better filing for spousal benefits? Please advise? Thank you,

Hi,

Yes, you could file for reduced benefits at age 62. What you then would receive is essentially the higher of your own retirement benefit rate or your spousal benefit rate, which would then be reduced by roughly 27% - 32% of your full retirement age rate.

My brother, age 63 has just been accepted for SSDI due to a compassionate allowances condition. He will begin collecting in July. His wife is 62. Social Security just suggested to them that she apply for her own benefit now. I'm confused about whether, if she does so, it will be deemed that she has applied for her spousal benefit now, since he isn't actually collecting yet (there is a 5 month waiting period for SSDI). Do you know why SSA might have suggested it to them?

My husband is 59 and will work until 65. I am 63, no longer working and eligible for reduced benefits. His benefits if he waits until age 70 will be approximately $3,800 per month-my reduced benefits are now approximately $760; at age 70- $1,200. Does it make more sense for me to take my reduced benefits now and change over to take spousal benefit when he reaches 70? My husband believes we're just throwing money away by not having me take my reduced benefits right now. Do you believe that is the case? Thank you!

Hi,

I will be 65 July 2018. 66 is my full retirement age. I intend to keep working full time. What happens if I apply for Jan 2018 (the year I will turn 65> what are penalties?

Hi,

If you start drawing benefits effective with January 2018 and continue working, you'll lose $1 of your benefits for every $2 that you earn in excess of $17,040 next year.

Hi! I just turned 63 in June. Can I file now 9/1/17 for social Security? I have a business and will only take 12,000 or under this year. My husband gets 3,000 per year, he is 78. Says he paid in full pool until he retired. I am an entrepreneur and have paid minimal. Thank you, Dorie

Hi Dorie,