I am a 58 year old widow that is working 2 jobs and making approx. 40,000 a year. I was told that I could sometime in the future get either my deceased husband's social security and then switch to mine at a later date or vise versa. Can you help me understand what I can do? My husband died in 2005 and was only making around 30,000-35,000 a year when he passed at 55 years old. I am just trying to figure it out because I need the money and I am tired of having to work 2 jobs but I also don't know what the truth is. Your help is appreciated.

Hi,

At 54, I was recently riffed from a career that I've spent 30 years in; one that paid poorly, will result in a low Social Security payout and that I have no desire to return to. As my husband and I plan for retirement, I'm trying to make sense of recent changes in Social Security retirement rules. My husband has always made significantly more than myself and I'm debating whether returning to work will be of benefit, based on his earnings.
I was born in September 1963 and my husband was born in September 1962.

I am 62 and have been self employed in the IT Forensics for 30+ years. Had a bad motorcycle accident in April 2016 that hasn't settled, don't know when. I have lived since on my savings and some work I can do with my mind and part physical but I will never be able to do what I did before. I am not collecting SS yet and I was denied Disability citing I didn't have enough self employment credits? Ok so now the money is all gone I am barely gonna make November and have no clue what to do? I did apply for some electronics jobs and was hired by Walmart.

In November 2018 at age 62 my wife (10/6/56) is considering filing for her SS benefit, which will be about $838 (1300$ FRB at 66.4mo) Her benefit at 62 will be substantially less than half of my full retirement benefit. I will be 65 and 11 mo. (12/25/52) in Nov 2018. In January 2021,6 6one month after i turn age 68 , I will file for SS benefits and my wife will be 64 & 3 mo. In Jan 2021 can my wife file for spousal benefits and effectively receive 1/2 of what my FRB would have been at age 66?

Hi,

My social security benefits at age 62 is the reduced amount of $1002mo, and at my full retirement age of 66.6 is the amount of $1454mo. My husband's FRA of 66.4 is the amount of $2899mo. He plans to start then.

If I start my benefits at age 62, with reduced $1002mo, can I later switch to 50% of his, $1449.50mo? I know they compare which benefit is higher, but do they compare that 50%($1449.50mo) of his FRA, with my early reduced benefit of $1002 or with my FRA of $1454?

Hi,

Hello,

I reached the full FRA (66) on Feb 28, 2015. I did not file for my benefits at that time. I want to file for benefits when I reach age 69. Should I file to receive benefits on my birthday, Feb 28, 2018, or on Mar 1, 2018? Thank you for you help!

Hi,

Your benefit rate increases by 2/3rds of 1% for each month that you delay taking your benefits until age 70. So, it's up to you when to start drawing, but the sooner that you start before age 70 the lower your permanent monthly rate will be.

I am 67 and receiving S.S. benefits. My wife turned 66 in April and will be filing for Spousal Benefits only and waiting until age 70 to file for benefits from her account. My question is can my wife receive 6 months retroactive payments of spousal benefits since we didn't file in a timely manner of her turning 66, without affecting her DRCs at age 70, or do payments start at the time of filing?

Hi,

I will be 62 November 22nd, 2017 and my husband will be 67 March 25th, 2018. My maximum SS benefit is less than my husband's spousal (he plans to retire at 70). If I retire January 2018 and start collecting social security benefits can I suspend my benefits when my husband turns 70 and collect spousal (I'll be 65).
Please advise.
Thank you!
Best Regards,
Barbara

Hi,

My wife is 66 and eligible and applying for her Ss benefits. I am 68 and working and have been delaying my ss benefits to maximize at age 70. Can I apply for spousal benefits when my wife applies for her ss benefits and will getting spousal benefits now reduce my maximized benefits I am expecting at age 70

Hi,

Yes, you can. And no, drawing spousal benefits would not reduce your own age 70 benefit rate.

I was 66 1/2 when I started receiving my ex-spouse social security benefits. I would now like to switch over to mine. Is this possible and if so what steps do I take?

Hi,

Yes, it's possible to switch to your own record if your benefit rate would be higher. In order to do so, you would need to contact Social Security to file a claim. You can make an appointment by calling 1-800-772-1213.