I am 55 (dob 11/10//1960). My husband died two years ago. We were married 25 years. We both worked our entire lives, but I was the higher earner the last 5 years by quite a bit. I want to quit working at 60 and collect a widow benefit. At what age should I collect my own to maximize it?

Hi,

I'm 62 this year. My wife is 48 and does not work. We have 3 minor children 16, 14, 12. I do not plan to retire until I'm 66. No divorces for either and thank god all children healthy. My best option for social security? Thanks so much, Gary

Hi Larry, I am 60 and my husband is 65. His full retirement age is 66 and mine is 66 and 4 months. We are both retired educators each with a monthly pension and savings with very minimal debt (car loan). I have longevity in my family, my husband does not. Thanks to living below our means we do not need to rely on social security for retirement income. Right now my husband plans to start drawing social security at age 66. I do not want to ask SS anything! Should I claim at 62 and him wait until age 67 and claim spousal benefits until he reaches age 70. What is our best strategy?

At age 79 and receiving social security, is it too late to see about increasing benefits?
Thank you,
Bill

Bill,
Yes, it is too late to increase your Social Security benefit.
Best,
Mike

Hi Larry,
I'm single and still working at age 64. My 2 children are healthy and on their own. Is there anything that a single person can do? Would it be a good idea to pay the $40 for your web site review? I plan on working till at least 66 and probably longer.
Thanks Larry
Doug

I am 61 (born 9/29/54) and working in a high paying field. I expect to keep working until age 70. Because of length of service and salary I expect to receive the maximum benefits. My wife, 71, (1/19/45) is retired and hasn't worked for sometime. When the stock markets panicked in 2008, I had her sign up for SSI benefits (age 62) which she has been receiving at about $750 (net) per month. Is there anything we can do to maximize our benefits?

Hi,

Larry, I will be 75 this August, been receiving social security benefits since age 62. My wife will soon be 65 and contemplating what to do about SS and retirement. Will your book help in our situation - the 10-year age disparity and one on SS and one thinking about it.

Thankx for your time.

Fr. Ray O

Hi Ray,

I think your wife would find the book helpful in making her decision, and she may also want to consider running the maximization software available on this website.

I filed and suspended my benefit at age 66, taking 1/2 of my wife's benefit at that time. My own account at ssa.gov now shows my benefit as active and will not show any projection of my own benefit at age 70. Is this normal?

Hi,

I'm in a situation i haven't seen addressed so want to see if anything could be beneficial. I am female, receiving benefits since age 62 (I am now 68) Spouse is younger, will be 62 this Sept. Is there anything that would help to maximize benefits? What if he starts benefits before 66? Thank you for any suggestions

I took normal SS two months after turning 65. That was in 1995. Can I assume there is no way to maximize once locked in?

Hi Selph,
You assumption is correct; there is no way to increase your benefits at this late date.

Best,
Mike