Generally speaking, if I'm two years older than my wife, would we be better off if I take my SS at 70 or 68? If it makes any difference, my wife has her own SS record but it's lower than the 50% spousal benefit. Thanks, Gerry

I just turned 62 on May 19th. My ex-spouse (over 10 yrs of marriage) turns 62 in 2019. He will probably not apply for benefits until he's 66 or 70. I have 60k in my IRA account, my job prospects are slim. My past earnings average out to 30k, my ex's average out to 100k. I'm thinking I should file for my benefits now and let the IRA continue to grow (hopefully). But if I do that, will I be able to collect on my ex's benefits when he becomes eligible? Or would it be better to live off the 60k and part time work until I reach 70?

Here is my proposed action plan:
My wife files for her social security at FRA (she is several months older than I and has less earnings)
I file for spousal benefits on her account when I reach FRA.
When I reach age 70 I file on my account and she files for spousal benefits on my account.... is this legal/feasible?

In 2014, I was 50, my wife 44 and our son Jhestin was 8. She passed away in August of 2014? She had worked her adult life as an employee until the age of 42. I have a good career, in very good health and make quite a bit more annually then she did. Based on current rules, what are some things I should consider regarding her SS#, in relation to me taking benefits at 66 or at 70? Thank you, Bryan

My wife is 66 (dob 9/49) and I am almost 65 (dob 8/51). We had planned to (both) wait until age 70 to claim benefits. And, my wife, on principle, refused to file and suspend prior to 4/30 - both of us in good health, and with expected longevity (her parents - ages 89 and 95 at death; my father age 92 at death), our strategy was to use SS as "longevity insurance" as you recommend. She has pension income ($3,000/mo); and both of us have IRA/401(k) accounts put away; I'm a working professional and she works in my office.

Hi, I am 66 and plan on working till age 70 and not drawing my social security until then to maximize my benefit. My wife turns 62 soon. Can she collect a reduced benefit based on her earnings, then file for spousal benefits when I file at age 70? Thanks, Gary

I am 66 and filed recently for Social Security ex-spousal benefits when I reached my full SS age of 66. I plan to switch to my own 32% higher benefit at 70. My ex-husband took his SS benefits at 62, even though I told him he could get ex-spousal benefits if he waited until 66, then switch to his own higher benefit at 70. Maybe he needed the money. He tends to not make astute financial decisions. He will turn 66 in later this year. Is it possible for him to suspend his own SS at 66 and file for ex-spousal benefits from 66-70?

Hi, what are the new rules regarding file and suspend; and taking 50% of spouses SS? if higher earner takes SS at age 70, can lower earner take 50% of that "spousal" amount at age 66? And then when lower earner turns 70, change to take their own amount? Also, if lower earner takes SS at 50% of higher earners amount, does that reduce the higher earners SS? Thanks, Craig

I am now 63, single, never married, still working, and no children. Is my only strategy to wait as long as possible to collect Social Security?\

Lois,
Waiting as long as possible, up to age 70, and/or continuing to work at higher earnings than your previously high 35 years are the only strategies that are available to you to maximize your lifetime Social Security benefits.

Best,
Mike

On a talk radio, the guy said if you are 62, then I need to come listen to his SS/retirement recommendation. Free dinner of course. He gave an example. Similar to what I had hoped to do with my spouse's and my SS benefits. Basically, when my wife reaches 66 in December 2016, I was going to let her start her SS benefits and I (62) file and suspend my benefits and ask for spousal support. I got the inkling that this may no longer be possible, thus the guest speaker on the radio said people like us should come to his lecture.