My husband took his SS at age 62. He was born 8/42. He is now 74 and quite ill. I am 62, DOB 5/55. What will my survivor benefit be reduced by because he filed early? Should I delay filing for my own SS?

Thank you.

Hi,

I'm sorry to hear about your husband's illness.

My ex-husband and I were married for well over 10 years. I will be 66 in October 2017. He will be 62 in December of 2017. When he reaches 62, can I claim on his and then wait to claim my full SS when I turn 70?

Hi,

Yes, provided that you are unmarried, and have either been divorced for at least 2 years, or your husband is receiving benefits on his own record.

Best, Jerry

Larry I am 64 and will turn 65 in aug my wife is 65 and will turn 66 in June We can defer one or both of our ss benefits. She will probably out live me. Can she get sposal benefits from my benifits then when she is 70 get her full benifits? Also could I get sposal benefits from her at the same time as she does and wait till I'm 70 to take my full benefits.

Thank you

Hi,

Larry,

I will be 60 this October. I was married 17 years then divorced. My ex-husband died a few years ago. He was receiving social security disability. My daughter had severe disabilities unrelated to his disability and was receiving his benefit and she also died three years ago. Social Security office told me I can collect a widows benefit at 60 if not remarried and still work. I currently work three days a week. My questions are: 1) Would it be wise to collect this benefit at age 60 and work two days week? 2) What if I needed to make more money at some point?

Larry,

My spouse and I both turn 62 next year. I’m several months older and my PIA is $2,500+ and my spouse’s PIA is $400+. We have an unmarried disabled adult child (DAC) whom is currently receiving both SSI and SSA monthly payments.

It appears as though my spouse and DAC would each qualify for up to half of my PIA, only after I file for my retirement benefits. Also, while I’m still living it looks as though the most they could ever receive would be 50% of my PIA regardless of what age I choose to retire.

I am almost 62 (Nov 2017). Can I take SS under my deceased ex husband who I was married to for 15 yrs? I believe they would be reduced, correct? Also, can I then take my full benefit at 67 or so giving up my ex's? thanks

Hi,

I will reach FRA (66) in December 2017 and am eligible for divorced spousal benefits as well as my own (which will be higher). Am I able to apply for my own PIA in December then (in about a year) switch to the lower divorced spousal benefit to allow delayed retirement credits on my own benefits to accumulate?

Hi,

My husband is 57 and just diagnosed with a terminal cancer. I am 5 years older (born '54). We are looking into him getting SSDI (he has a qualifying disease). He is trying to get me set up for when he passes. We have no idea what I should do or when regarding taking SS. I am not in any hurry to make a claim. Just want to maximize the SS benefit. I also worked 23 years so I have SS benefits.. but he made double what I made. S

Hi S,

I'm sorry to hear about your husband's illness.

I was married for 16 years and then my wife and I divorced. I'm still single, almost 59, and pondering the best strategy to maximize my social security benefits. Is it possible that I could file for ex-spousal benefits at age 62, suspend them at about 66 years and 8 months (my full retirement age) and then immediately file for my full social security benefits? Her income over the years was significantly less than mine, but it would help me make it to my FRA. It doesn't appear that you can "double-dip" and claim both at the same time, lol!

Hi,