I have a follow-up to an earlier question. My husband recently passed (3/2018). He was 65, and had begun SS around age 62. He was a federal employee so his SS was greatly reduced. I am 62, (63 in September). I haven't filed. From my earlier question, you mentioned that since I am approximately 62 years, 9 months that I likely would already draw the maximum due to widow's limit rule. I wanted the option to file survivor benefits first, then file on my own record later. I recently visited the SS office to get information.

On 6 July I will be 66 years old and eligible for full retirement. Should I request 1 Aug as the starting date or is there more advantageous one? I definitely want to retire this year.

Hi,

Dear Larry,
In February I ask a question concerning benefits and Jerry answered me saying I could get restricted spousal benefits on my wife's retirement as she retired in 2015.
I applied by paper application and by certified mail (which incidentally, confused the hell out of the ss people at my local office LOL)

I am one month older than my wife. Her FRA benefit is a little less that half of mine.
We will both be 64 and the end of 2018 and I am retiring in June 2018. I've already made too much this year so I would lose any benefit. I'd like to have my wife claim on her benefit in January 2019. I'll defer until my FRA. Would she be able to claim the spousal benefit based on my earnings when I claim my benefit

Hi,

My husband is at full retirement age and could receive $2600 a month. I am 6 months from full retirement age and could receive $1500 per month if I file for benefits now. If my husband suspends his benefits until 70 and claims spousal benefits, what happens if he dies before 70? Will I be able to claim on his larger deferred account? Or have I lost my chance to claim spousal benefits on his account?

Hi,

Larry, I will be 67 in July and plan on waiting till 70 for my SS benefits. My wife just turned 67 and has been collecting SS since she turned 62. Am I entitled to half her benefits and if so, is it retroactive for a certain amount of time. Also, will that affect the amount I receive when I turn 70. Thank you

Hi,

My husband is 63 years old and has Parkinson's disease. He is currently on social security disability 100% at $2558 per month, and this is his full benefit. He has been receiving this since January 2018. His Parkinson's was diagnosed in August of 2015 but his neurologist suspects he has had it approximately 2 years prior. I am 62 years old and have been working part time for the past 20 plus years at my sister's hair salon (I am a 30% owner of the hair salon) -my income is approximately $22,000 per year(give or take).

My question relates to retroactive payments. I turned 69 in May and now want to file for benefits, though I understand that it may be 3-4 months before I receive the first payment, thus, if I understand correctly, I would receive 8 or 9 months of the benefit of not waiting until I am 70, which reduces its comparative advantage. So, 1) can I ask for payments to be retroactive back to May only, and specifically, once they begin; and 2) will Soc. Sec. further reduce my monthly benefit from the age 69 calculated amount because of the retroactivity? Thanks.

Thanks Larry, I will attempt to copy & paste my original question to give you a background.
Original question:Category: Child Benefits
>I turned 66 in Dec. 2017, I have an 18 year old child graduating high school
>in June 2018. I have not yet enrolled to take any benefits. I would like to
>retroactively take my benefits and child benefits and then suspend, letting
>my benefit compound until I am 70. Considering my child graduates in June,
>when and how should I file and for how many months will we be paid. Thanks

Hi,

I am 68, retired, but have delayed taking SS monthly benefits. I am eligible for a maximum benefit, and am planning to delay taking SS till I must at age 70. My wife is 6 years my junior (age 62), currently still working. She too is earning enough to qualify for a max benefit when she reaches her FRA. However, she would like to retire in 2 years time (64), and live off other income to get her to her FRA.
My questions are: