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Filing Strategies

How Much Will My Benefit Rate Increase If I Keep Working?

I WAS BORN IN 1951 AND HAVE BEEN MARRIED FOR 30 YEARS TO A SPOUSE WHO IS CLAIM HIS SS, AND DID SO AT HIS FULL RETIREMENT AGE. I KNOW I CAN RESTRICT MY APPLICATION AT MY FRA TO MY 1/2 OF MY SPOUSES SS AND RECEIVE A 8% INCREASE ON MY SS AMOUNT UP TO AGE 70. HOWEVER I WILL BE WORKING TO AGE 67 AND THAT WILL INCREASE MY SS AMOUNT, PER SS, BY 10% FROM MY AGE 66 AMOUNT. IF I RESTRICT MY APPLICATION AT AGE 66, AND WORK UNTIL AGE 67, WILL I GET THE 10% INCREASE FROM MY WORKING AND THE 8% INCREASE FROM MY RETRICTION TO EQUAL A 18% INCREASE, AT AGE 67?

Posted: 
Thursday, February 16, 2017 - 08:00

Can I Still Terminate My Spousal Benefit And File On My Own Record?

Hello - I used the Maximize My Social Security Program to develop what we felt was best filing plan but the 2/7/17 article in Forbes now gives me concern. I have attained my FRA in September 2016. My wife is 62 and she has filed for her social security benefit. Subsequently, based on the program's suggestion, I filed for spousal benefit. My question is, when I reach full retirement age and under current law, still eligible to terminate the spousal benefit and file for my full retirement benefit?

Posted: 
Thursday, February 16, 2017 - 07:30

When Should I File For Widow's Benefits?

My husband died 09/2015 at age 56. I was age 63 at the time of his passing. I was working and I am continuing to work until my full retirement age 66. My birthdate 02/1952. I was earning $54,500 when my husband passed and was told I made too much money to quality for survivor spousal benefit over the $16,920. Now I am reading something about $44,880. This year I turned 65 on 02/2017 and expect to be making $56,500.00 for 2017. Should I be signing up for survivor spousal benefit now?

Posted: 
Wednesday, February 15, 2017 - 07:00

What Is The Best Strategy For Us?

I bought your book and I'm about a third of the way through it. With the most recent change SS made I'm trying to access if one of us can suspend and the other file on their spouse. My wife will be 66 in 2 years. I will be 66 in 2 months. We both work. I own a start up business earning about 1500 a month. She is a teacher at $80,000 per. She will have a nice pension about $30k per and she wants to retire in 2yrs. I have no pension. My SS estimate is $2100 per month at 66. My wife is at $1600 at 66. She is in good health, I have Afib and survived esophageal cancer. Wait?

Posted: 
Wednesday, February 15, 2017 - 06:15

Should I File For My Retirement Benefits Or Continue Drawing Widow's Benefits?

Hello,
Thank u for such a great service!
I am currently collecting disabled widows benefits. I am turning 66yrs old next week. Should I apply for my own retirement benefit? Would that take the place of the disability widow benefit? They just sent me a new Medicare card changing the "W" to a "D4” along with a letter that I cannot work which I've not done since 2008. Anyway.... thanks. G

Hi G,

Posted: 
Tuesday, February 14, 2017 - 07:30

What Is Our Best Filing Option?

My wife turned 66 on Jan. 25, 2017 and will be retiring on March 2, 2017. I will turn 66 on Aug. 22, 2017 but will not be retiring for perhaps another year or so. My earnings have been been more than double hers for most of our 47 year marriage. What is our best option for filing?
Thanks,
Dan

Hi Dan,

Posted: 
Tuesday, February 14, 2017 - 07:15

Can I File For Spousal Benefits Only At Age 66 And Delay Taking My Own Benefits Until Age 70?

my wife started drawing social security at 63.5 i will be 66 in september of 2017 can i file a restricted application to recieve half of her fra and delay my benifits until i turn 70

Hi,

Yes, since you were born prior to January 2 1954, you can file a restricted application for spousal benefits only at age 66, and delay taking your own benefits until age 70 (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/deemedfaq.html).

Best, Jerry

Posted: 
Friday, February 10, 2017 - 07:45

Can I Start Drawing My Own Benefits At Age 62 And Get Divorced Spousal Benefits Later?

Hello...I will be apply for social security this March. I will be 62 on June 23rd. I don't really want to collect at 62 but need the extra money instead of waiting until age 66. Anyway, I was married 23 yrs. My ex husband is 10 yrs younger than me. I know the qualifications to collect on an ex spouse but am I correct in that I can collect on my own work history income and then when he turns 62 (provided) I'm still alive, lol....can I then re file based on his income?? Thank you.

Hi,

Posted: 
Friday, February 10, 2017 - 06:45

Can I Discontinue My Disability Benefits At FRA And Receive Spousal Benefits Instead?

I am 59 yrs. old and have been receiving SSDI for 15 years. My husband is 70 yrs. old and filed for SS retirement benefits at age 62 yrs. old. Unfortunately we were unaware of the choice to wait until he was 70 yrs. old in order for him to receive 35% more benefit money. At what age does my SSDI convert to SS retirement benefits? At that time am I eligible to file for a restricted application to receive 50% of my husbands SS retirement benefit, discontinue my SS benefits and wait until I am 70 yrs. old to file for my SS retirement benefits in order to get the 35% higher amount?

Posted: 
Thursday, February 9, 2017 - 13:00
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