Hi Larry, I am preparing to apply for social security benefits for my husband. He has some health challenges, is not working any longer, and currently undergoing some health testing. It is my understanding that he could apply for retirement and disability benefits. Do this need to be done simultaneously? Or can we apply for his retirement benefits to get that started and then apply for the disability benefits in a couple of months once all of the testing is completed? It's somewhat confusing as to how that works. Any information or guidance you can share would be appreciated.

Referencing Chapter 16 gotcha #2 on pg 261 and gotchas #4 & 6 on pg 262 in your Revised Get What's Yours Social Security book.

Hi Larry,
read your article on delayed benefits but Im still uncertain.
From reading I understand I can fill for my maximum delayed benefits in Jan 2022 as I will turn 70 on Feb 3, 2022.
But, if the Jan SS benefit is not paid until Feb would I jeopardize receiving the full 70 yo benefit as I will only be 69 &11 months in Jan
I am currently collecting survivor widow benefits. Appreciate your help.

I am 66 and 3 months old. I am currently working and making about 42,000. My husband died in 2002 when he was 62. I received a death benefit at that time and monthly benefits for my 2 children who were in high school at that time.
I plan to continue working till I am 70. Is it possible for me to apply for survivors benefits until I reach age 70? Can I still earn my annual salary or will I do better earning less? My husbands benefits were not that good as he had major health issues for some time.

Hi. I. Was wondering if I am currently receiving survivor benefits based on caring for DAC (75%), am I able to change my benefit to a widow benefit when I reach full retirement age of 67 and get the 100% survivor benefit. Thank you so much.

Hi. Yes, but depending on the family maximum benefit (FMB) limit on your deceased spouse's account you might not be able to be paid the full 100% rate.

I recently received a letter from Social Security, regarding if I wanted to base my Social security payment based on income or my retirement date ? They said if I did not answer by a certain date they would choose the one with the most advantageous date based upon my income ? What choice is better ?

I’m planning on filing for ex spouse SS benefits. My question is can I take mine at 67 full retirement age and switch to his at his full retirement age which is 18 months after mine. Another words he’s 18 months younger than I am so I can’t file for his until he reaches full retirement age?

My husband passed away recently. He waited until he was 70 to claim his SS. He was 10 years older than I, so I claimed my much smaller benefit when I turned 62. I turned 64 in August 2021, and have another 2 plus years before I am FRA. When I called SSA to discuss my Survivor benefit choices, I asked if I had the option of waiting until I was FRA, continuing to receive my benefit untiI I could claim 100% of my deceased husband’s benefit. The SSA person who was assisting me seemed not to understand my question.

My wife was born in 1949, She began her SS on her work record at age 62. I began mine at max age. Here SS is less than one half of mine. Does she qualify for 'restricted application' to make the difference between her SS and one half of mine? E.g., she=$500; me=$2000. May she apply for additional $500 thereby equaling one half of my SS?

Hi. No. You can't file a restricted application for spousal benefits if you're already drawing your own benefits, nor can you stop collecting your own benefits and apply for spousal benefits instead.

I took retirement early at age 62
My husband is now going on disability...he is 63

Do my benefits change at all?

Thank you

Hi. Your own benefit amount won't change, but if your husband's primary insurance amount (PIA) is more than twice as much as your own PIA then you would likely be eligible for an excess spousal benefit. A person's PIA is equal to their Social Security retirement benefit rate if they start drawing their benefits at full retirement age (FRA), or their full Social Security disability (SSDI) benefit rate.