Filing Options

My husband died 12 years ago at the age of 49--I was 44. He was fully covered with social security and so am I. I am currently 56, dealing with a workers comp injury, and have applied for ssdi. If I am awarded ssdi I understand I can draw the excess widow's benefits under my husband when I turn 60 since I have not and will not remarry. I also understand the earning limits with ssdi and widow's benefits. I want to know that once I turn 60 can I drop my ssdi, if awarded, and solely draw widow's benefits?

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.

If I file for SS at age 62, can I switch to spousal on my ex (more than 10 married years), in 2 years when they turn 62? Do I need to wait until they turn 62? Thank you.

Hi,

Not really. Once you file for your own Social Security retirement benefits you can never switch from drawing those benefits to drawing another type of benefit instead. However, if you subsequently become eligible for a higher benefit rate on another person's Social Security record you could potentially file for an additional partial benefit on the other account.

I am born before Jan 2 1954, was married over 10 years and am divorced for 8 years now.
My ex-wife is 61. I will be 66 soon and would like to file a restricted application, collect 50% of her FRA PIA and then at age 70 switch to my own PIA.

Can I do this?
Do I have to wait until my ex-spouse is 62 to do this?
Is it necessary that she applies for Social Security, as she prefers to wait until she reaches FRA, for me to do this?

Thanks!

Hi,

I started drawing survivor social security benefit on November 1, 2015, with my last day on the job being Oct 31, 2015 (I was a few month older than 60 years old). About a year later, in December of 2016 I applied for SSDI and was awarded SSDI benefits on my own SS record with the onset of my disability as also being determined as November 1, 2015 (my first payment for SSDI though was for the month of April of 2016, which is 5 months after the onset date of my disability).

My husband, who is 6 years older than I, began taking his Social Security retirement benefits when he was 68 and I was 62. I heard about the Social Security spousal benefit from my accountant, but thought I had to wait until I was at FULL retirement age, myself, - i.e. 66 - to apply for it. I did apply for it a few weeks before my 66th birthday and will get a spousal benefit amounting to 50 percent of my husband's benefit starting in July, allowing my own worker retirement benefit to grow.

It is now nearing the end of June, after waiting since November 2018 for my retirement benefits to process, I am being told I need to withdraw my retirement application filed online. Could this be right?

In 2007 my husband took his SS at 62. We had a son (age 15) and a disabled daughter (age 17) living at home. I and the 15 year-old received dependent benefits for 7 months until he turned 16, at which time his benefits terminated and mine suspended.

Hi Larry: i was born 02/21/52 my wife was born 11/03/55
Question: can I file a restricted application for spousal benefit if my wife continues to work full time and she does not file for social security?( under current rules she would need to return all money to SS because of penalties)
please advice , thank you.

Hi,

Hi Larry: I was born in Sept. 1955 and my wife was born in 1952. I am a 100% disabled veteran and was DENIED after two years of working with an attorney to be approved for SS Disability. During this time my lawyer, who was confident that we would be approved, said I should start drawing on my regular SS at a reduced rate., which I did, under his advice. I started drawing my reduced benefit in Sept. 2018. . . Am I able to suspend and draw on my wife's social security, she began her benefits a full age.

I am 66 in August and my wife is 63 we are both retired. According to our most recent SS Statements my wife would receive $615 at 66 and $836 at age 70. I would receive $2462 at 66 and $3250 if I wait until 70. Would my wife receive spousal benefits of $1625 if we waited until I was 70 or is she limited to 50% of my PIA at 66 or $1231?

Hi,

I am considering applying for SS next year at age 62. I have an adult child with special needs. I understand she will be eligible to 50% of my full retirement and my wife will also be eligible for SS under my record. My wife will be 63. Can I apply for my SS and my daughter and wait for a later date to apply for my wife's Spousal benefit so that my daughter will receive a larger amount based on my family maximum benefit and have my wife receive a lesser amount? My thought is that my daughter will receive SSDI, which is tax free and mine and my wife's will be taxable.