I am about to turn 66 in February of '19 (FRA) divorced for several years and never remarried. I plan on taking my SS retirement at that time. I was born in 1953 and if I am reading your book correctly I am one of those that wouldn't be deemed as having to take my divorced spousal benefit. I was married 25 years and he always made more than I did. My benefit amount will be about $1200 a month at FRA and $1600 at 70. His is most likely around $2500 or $2600 or possibly more.

I was born in 1953 (65 yo) and can claim my benefits on Feb 2019. I am the lower earner and will receive $1000/month.
My wife was born in 1964 (she is now 54 yo). She is the higher earner and at 67 she will receive $ 2000/month.
When she retires, will I be able to claim any benefits from her income that will increase my SS income.?
I do not know if you can answer my second question:

Larry, thanks to you and your staff for all your invaluable advice.

My husband is 11 years older than me. He was born on January 1951. He is waiting until he is 70 to retire. Can I retire at 62 and draw from him or will I need to work until full retirement? I'm sure his will be higher than mine.

Hi,

My broker suggested that I file a restricted application for a spousal benefit. My application was rejected but the reason is unclear to me. I am 66 and have not yet begun to draw benefits. My husband is 68 and has been drawing since January 2018. If I were to claim benefits now based on my own earnings record, my benefit would be about 10% larger than my husband's. Does my own larger benefit disqualify my claim to a spousal benefit?

Hi,

My spouse is 65 years old and has recently filed for Social Security benefits. I am also 65 years old but I am planning to continue working. I am planning to file for Social Security benefits at age 70 so that I can maximize my benefits. My question is, can I file for spousal benefits now? Thanks for your help.

Hi,

Hi
I am 64 and single. I am self employed and struggling. If I take my social security now can I suspend it when I start making money?
Thank you!

Hi,

My wife will turn 62 in a few months. She spent most of her adult years raising a family but did work sufficiently to be eligible for social security. I am planning on waiting until 70 to begin to receive social security and at that time she will receive 50% of my amount. I simply want to confirm that she can apply for her own social security at age 62, receive it until I turn 70 and then receive 50% of my amount at that time. We are both the same age.

Hi,

My mother-in-law is presently 70 yrs old. She started her SS benefits when she was 62. Shortly thereafter, her husband died and she "switched" over to his higher survivor benefit...but technically, I think she maintained her own benefit and applied for window's benefits, which was the difference between her deceased husband's higher benefit and her current benefit.

I am a 67 year old widower and collecting my late wife's social security spousal benefit.
I was under the impression that I couldn't collect both my spousal benefit AND my own.
Therefore I should wait until age 70 to drop hers and start mine. Is that best? Can I collect both? Thank you

Hi,

You can't collect both your own Social Security benefit and a full widower's benefit at the same time. If and when you file for your own benefits you'll receive only the higher of the 2 benefit rates.