I purchased your book a couple ofyears ago: Get What's Yours serveral years ago. My sister lost her husband and I wanted to know if she can still take his benefit now and still change over to her social security when she turns 66.5.
Thank you
Jack

I turn 70 next year and will then take social security. My wife will turn 67 next year. I had thought that she could first apply for her spousal benefit (about 50% of what I was eligible at age 67) and then when she turns 70, apply for her own benefit. I am now being informed that I'm incorrect. Since she was born after 1954, she has only one bite at the social security apple. Take her spousal benefit or wait until she turns 70. Is that correct?

I have a similar question to what was posted. My husband filed for disability 8 months ago at age 61. He is still waiting on a determination, but next month he will be 62. Can he start drawing his early retirement, or will that compromise his determination on his disability or have any other impacts? Since it's already been more than the disability 5 month waiting period, I assume there would not be any reduction of benefits if he should be awarded his disability??

I am 68 years old and collecting widow's benefits should I be collecting my own social security

Hi - in a divorce situation, 10+ years of marriage, the ex-husband has passed on, could the surviving ex-spouse file for deceased husband's benefit, 50% at FRA, and allow her own benefit to grow, DRC, and then switch to that if larger at age 70? Thank you

I am 66 & 4 months old and was born in Jan 1956. I work full time & may do so until age 70 and am a higher earner. I have not filled for Social Security yet., SS estimates if I do not fill until age 70, my SS benefits would be about $1,00 more a month. I became widowed in Feb 2015, but have never filled for widows benefits as I understood they took benefits away for earned income until I reached full retirement age, which I am at now. My deceased husband took benefits at age 62.

I filed a restricted application for spousal benefits at the same time my wife filed for her retirement benefit at her full retirement age. When I want to receive my own retirement benefit at age 70, will Social Security automatically make this switch for me, or will I have to contact Social Security to let them know I a want to file for my own retirement benefit? Thank You.

when i turn 62 in december can i draw my social securty ? i have not worked much do i draw half of my husbands?

Hello Professor Kotlikoff,

You are recognized as an expert in Social Security, and I intend to order your book on this subject and have a question for you that I am hoping you will answer :

I am 68 and half years old. I'm gainfully employed and making $140,000 a year.. I am not collecting social security currently. Each.year I have worked in the last 40 years I have reached nearly or exceeded my social security taxes that were taken with the payroll taxes. I want to continue working until at least age 70 years old. I want to apply for security benefits now and receive benefits for 12 months and suspend the benefits until I turn 70 years old..