Filing Options

hey, can I file for SS spousal benefits at age 62 ( I'm 61 now/dob 12/57) and then switch to my own SS benefits at a later date without penalty/reduction at wife's death or my full retirement age ?

Hi,

No. Since you were born after January 1 1954 you'll be deemed to be filing for both spousal benefits and for retirement benefits on your own record whenever you file for either one. So, if you file at age 62 you'll just receive essentially the higher of your own rate or your spousal rate, and your benefit rate will be reduced for age.

I am 69 and plan to work full-time til I'm 75. Should I apply for SS benefits now? Although I will take a slightly smaller benefit, won't it increase as I continue to work full-time?
Thanks for your help!

Hi,

Hi Larry,

I am 67 (March) and my wife will be 66 in September. I am planning on filing for my benefits now with a start date of 9/1/18 and simultaneously my wife will apply for her spousal benefit with a start date of 9/1/18 using a restricted application. My benefit is four times higher than hers. My questions are as follows:

My husband pass away 2 months ago. He received SS disability benefits for the last 30 years. We were born a day apart. I am now 63.5 years old and currently working and plan to continue to work at least until I am 66. My estimated SS benefit at full retirement age is about the same that his SS disability will be. I was informed that I can apply for my husband benefits at age 66 and allow my own benefits to grow until age 70 and than start receiving my own benefits. But somebody told me that it can only work if my own benefits are smaller than my husband benefits. Is this true?

i am 66. my husband is 67. we've not filed for SS yet. My SS would be about 1000 right now. my husband's would be about 1600. Can I start collecting now and then my husband could get 1/2 of my 1000 and then he could wait to file his own when he is 68?

Hi,

Hi, I would like your recommendation for our situation:
My husband, Tom is 60 (will be 61 next month), I am 59 (will be 60 in two months)
Here are the retirement benefits for Tom: 62/$1,358, 66.6/$1,862, 70/$2,384
Here are my retirement benefits: 62/$1,110, 66.6/$1,540, 70/$1,951
We are looking at retiring at 70. How and when can I draw half of Tom's retirement amount? What would my amount be?

Hi Larry,
My wife is 64 and currently receives a Social Security Disability benefit. When she turns 66 in 2019, her benefits will convert to retirement benefits. At that time, I will also be at FRA but will have yet to claim my own retirement benefit. At the time her disability benefit converts to a retirement benefit, can I claim a spousal benefit to receive 1/2 of her benefit and defer my own retirement benefit until age 70?

Hi,

Hi Larry:
I'm 67 receiving SS. My husband is 63 still working his FRA is at 66 born after January 1st, 1954. Can my husband apply for half of mine at his FRA and stay working until 70 then suspend and file for his. What other options are available ? Thanks.

Hi,

I am 66 my husband is 63. I have applied and will be receiving full SS in July this year. I am the lower income spouse. My husband has applied for SSDI and was told he could apply for early SS while waiting for a decision on his SSDI (which is at 2nd stage). He is 100% disabled US Veteran. Should he apply to take spousal benefits while waiting for decision on SSDI or should he reply for early SS? He plans to apply now for SS to start when he is 63 in Sept. What will happen once (if) he is approved for SSDI will he automatically go on SSDI? Thank you.

Hi,

If I turn 66 in July am I entitled to a retroactive payment of benefits starting in January of that year.

Hi,

No, you cannot be paid retirement benefits retroactively (i.e. prior to your month of filing) for any months prior to the month you reach full retirement age. To get benefits for January in your scenario you'd have to file your retirement benefit application no later than January, and your benefit rate would then be reduced for age.