My birthdate is June 8, 1951. My spouse's birthdate is April 20, 1951.
I wish to collect my full benefit when I reach age seventy.
My benefit is larger than my spouse's benefit.
I do not wish to jeopardize my full benefit.
Can I begin to receive a restricted spousal benefit in June 2017 or, must I wait until she turns 66 in April 2019?

Hi,

I am 65, and plan on full time work till 70 as I happiest when being challenged and, not so coincidentally, receive excellent medical benefits. My wife is 53, obviously not Social Security eligible, and has always worked part-time. Her part time work is likely to continue as she has a medical condition that interferes with her concentration at work and intensifies as the day progresses. This has kept her from re-entering the full time workforce. What is the best way to maximize benefits for both of us given the age difference?

Hi,

My wife was born in April 1955 and I was born in December 1956. My wife was the lower earner and is taking her social security benefits at age 62 which will be $781/month. It would have been $1048/month at her full retirement age. My social security benefits will be $2815/month at full retirement age and $1983/month at age 62. She later plans to file for her spousal benefit when I file for social security. Depending on whether I file at 62, 63, 64, 65, 66. or at full retirement age of 66 and 4 months, would she get more monthly spousal benefits the longer I wait to file?

Sadly, my husband passed away in 2014. I was on disability at the time of his demise.
My goal was to collect a full widows benefit prior to taking my own FRA at age 70.
My husbands amount was higher than mine.
I was instructed by SS in 2014 to continue my disability, they would add excesss from my husbands to bring me up to his higher amount. Which they did.

My wife and I have been married almost 40 years, she is two years younger than I, her birth year is 1960 and mine is 1958. We have both worked but my benefit is larger than hers. Our thoughts are this, she plans to retire at age 63, I will have a small pension that kicks in at my age 65. I want to wait until my age 70 before I claim my benefit, to maximize my monthly amount but also this will provide her a higher monthly amount if I pass first.
First question; can she take her benefit at age 63 and I wait till 70 with no problems?

I am 64 (b11/52), my wife is 62 (born 7/55) I just lost my job. Can I take spousal benefits from my wife until 66? will it hurt her or my retirement at 66?

Hi,

No, but you could file for spousal benefits only at age 66 and allow your own benefit rate to grow until age 70. The only catch is that your wife must be drawing her benefits in order for you to receive spousal benefits. Your drawing spousal benefits would not adversely affect your wife's benefits.

My lowest year of earnings was when I was out of work...at age 60. 48,000. After that I was making up to 100K+. I just lost my job - 64Y 6M. Should I get benefits now or try to wait until 66?

Looking for waiting benefits vs now.

Hi,

That's a personal decision, and it depends on your circumstances. You should strongly consider running the maximization software available on this website in order to explore your options and determine your best strategy.

Best, Jerry

HI Larry,
I am 63 years old. I am presently employed. I make 45,000 per year. However my job may al but be eliminated by this August by the state of Illinois and their budget cuts

I will turn 66 in July and am retiring as of July 1, 2017. I have significant savings and a pension from my employer, so I have not yet filed for Social Security. My husband will turn 69 in October, and he has not filed for SS either. I would appreciate your advise about what we should do to eventually maximize our Social Security benefits.

Hi,

My husband is 64 and receiving SSDI benefits. I will be 62 in November 2017. Could I apply for spousal SSDI benefits at 62 and switch to my own SS record at or after age 66 ys and 2 months?

Hi,