My wife was born in 1950 and has not filed for SSA Benefits yet. I was born in 1952 and I am still working. If I understand correctly, we can do this: My wife can file for SSA Benefits on her own record. I could retire at 66, file a restricted application and begin receiving spousal benefits based on my wife's work record and allow the benefits based on my work record continue to grown until I turn 70, at which time I can file for benefits based on my record. Is this true?

I will turn 66 in November 2019. If I file a restricted application on my ex spouse's record, do I have to wait four years to switch back to my own? I have been divorced 20 years and do not know how much 50% of his benefit will be. Thank you.

Hi,

No, you could switch to your own record at any time. You should be able to find out approximately how much you could receive in divorced spousal benefits by contacting Social Security. You may then want to use our maximization software to compare your options and determine your best overall strategy.

Hi. My friend Donna's husband died in 2011 at age 53. Someone at the local Social security office told her that she could not claim a deceased spousal benefit and
suspend her own benefit to age 70. I do not think that is true.

Donna DOB 11-20-53 Age 64 PIA $2452.

Nick DOB 9-12-1957
DOD 8-15-2011 Age 53 PIA $2303.

I'm 65, will turn 66 in six month, am still working and plan to comtimue. I woulf like to keep the health cate provided by my employer -- a high deductible policy with employer donations to my HSA. I also would like to increase my meager sacings by applying for my late husband's social security benefits, which are less than mine, and put off claiming my own benefits until I quit woking. But social security tells me that to get spousal benefits I have to apply for Medicare and neither I nor my employer can contribute to my HSA.

My wife was married for over 10 years, got divorced 12 years before we got married 4 months ago. I’m 57 ( max social security wages all my career) her ex spouse also has max SS wages. She was 61 when we got married. Her benefits are $500 at 62 ( now) and $700 at 661/2.
I know she can’t claim on previous husband but if she takes her benefits now, can she then claim half my benefits in 10 years when I’m 67 and full retirement age? Can she collect widow benefits from either spouse if one of us dies? If I wait to 70 to collect, how will that effect her?

I have a two part question. My husband just recently retired in June at the age of 66 (his full retirement age) and is collecting SS. I turned 66 in December but have not started collecting SS yet. If I collect on my husbands it would be about $120 a month less than if I collect on my own record. Can I collect on my husbands record and leave mine to grow? Is there a certain way to do that or do I just put in to collect on his or do I have to file and suspend on my record?

I am trying to decide when to retire. I will be 62 next summer, and considering retiring then. I have worked for 45 years, but have never earned a whole lot. Starting 25 years ago, I have earned around $20,000 most of those years. My husband recently retired, at age 65.5, so just a bit before full retirement age. If I retire early, and eventually become widowed, what percentage of potential survivor's benefit would I lose by my own early retirement?

Hi Larry,
Can you please shade light on stop and suspend social security? I was born in 50 and my wife was in 51. I am getting my spousal benefit as my wife draws social security benefits.

However, one of our financial advisor mentioned that I can go for my social security benefits and stop and suspend it. In that case, my wife can take spousal benefits that is almost 2.5 times of hers. Is it possible for me to use stop and suspend option when I was born in July 1950.

Please advise.

Hi,

I am going to be 68 year old soon and my wife just completed her 66th birthday.

I was advised that I should start and suspend my social security and my wife can claim half of my full payment at my age 66. She is getting her hear own $437 per month but my half will be close to $1200. In that we both can claim spousal benefits.

Do you think that start and suspend will be applicable to me? Please advise.

Looking forward to your comment.

Hi,

Hi Larry,