Larry,
In April, 2017, I am going to file an online application for Social Security spousal benefits (SIB). (I will be 66 years old in July, 2017, and I will request that my spousal benefits begin at that time.) I've decided to file online to avoid the pitfall of encountering Social Security representatives who do not know the precise rules for restricted applications and the grandfathering provision, as determined by the Bi-Partisan Budget Act of 2015.

I am 67 and retired but have not filed for my social security. I was planning on filing when I reached 70 if possible. My husband is 59. He recently recived a medical retirement and was told by his lawyer that he should now apply to social security for disability. If he gets on SS disability would I be entitled to collect off his disability benefit till I reach 70 and collect off my own? Our benefit at PIA are similar.

Thanks for your wonderful column.
Carol

Hi,

My spouse took SSDI in 2009 and I took a spousal benefit on that account at FRA in 2013. My spouse turned FRA in July 2016 and her benefit was changed from SSDI to SS. I just turned 70 and will be getting my delayed retirement benefit staring this month on my own account. Since it is less than 12 months since my spouse went on regular SS, is their a do-over possible? I know, if there is, that we would have to return 6-7 months of her benefit and my spousal benefit.

Both my wife and myself are "grandfathered" under the new law. She is 68 and has been receiving her SS since age 62. I had been the higher earner and after retirement, neither of us has or will work in the future. I will be 66 in September and plan on applying for my "spousal benefit" at that time.

In your new book (Get What's Yours - revised edition) page 57 about spousal benefits - I'm still confused. Here's what we want to do. I'm now 62 and plan on waiting until my FRA to take my full benefit (age 66). My wife will be 64.5 then. When we turn on my benefit at 66 can we at the same time turn on my wife's spousal benefit, meaning I will get my full amount and she will get an amount equal to 50% of mine, until she decides to turn off her spousal benefit and turn on her own full benefit when she turns 66 (and some months)? Thanks for the advice, Steve

Im 62 , Previous wife died at 49 fully retired from state with death and disability , we were married 22 years. New wife now married 10 years but SS said can not collect previous wifes ss because I wed before 60. Any options?

Hi,

My wife's birthday is 12/14/1953 (age 63), and my birthday is 8/16/1947 (age 69), I will start to take my benefit this AUG when I reach 70.

Can my wife collect (in AUG) on my benefit, while her benefit still grows? If this benefit is still available, we then would plan for her to switch over to receive her own benefit payment once she reaches Full Retirement Age? Thank you in advance!

Hi,

I am 70, retired at age 66. My husband is 60. He plans to retire either at 66 or 70. Our combined incomes are approximately $69,000. Should we file separately? Should husband file at 66 and suspend benefits until age 70? His income will likely rise but only slightly from 66 to 70. Suggestions? Thank you very much.

Hi,

I'm not sure if I fully understand your situation. If you haven't yet filed for your own benefits, you'll want to do that ASAP. Your benefit rate will not get any higher if you wait past age 70 to file.

I have listened to your book in audio form. Thank you! My question is this: If both my wife and I delay receiving our SSI benefits until age 70 (at which time her benefit will exceed any spousal benefit she could receive on my earnings) , can my wife claim spousal benefits on my earnings from age 66 to 70, and not impact her own SSI benefit at age 70? If your answer is "Yes," does she need to wait until she reaches age 66 to take the spousal benefit? or can she do that when I reach 66? We don't want to be "deemed." Has the law closed whereby this strategy has been eliminated?

I'm 9 years older than my spouse and they have been a very high earning executive. I worked years ago (meeting all the SS contribution/distribution requirements) but haven't worked (volunteered) for nearly the last two decades. How do I time my spousal benefit, which I'm sure will be higher than my retirement benefit? I will hit 70 before spouse can file and suspend either at 62 or 67. Will I be able to get the larger maximum spousal benefit at age 76 even though I would have had to start taking distribution at age 70, if not earlier if the math works better?