My husband is 66 in January and I will be 66 in October. Can my husband file a restricted application to receive 1/2 of my social security benefit now? Can I file a restricted application to receive 1/2 of my husband's social security benefit when I reach age 66? Will each of our benefits grow to age 70 when we would apply for our own benefit? Thanks in advance, Sue

Hi Sue,

Larry, Thank you for writing such a helpful book and for your website.

Here is our situation: Wife with BD of Sept 1952. She was the lower earner. Husband with much higher income and BD of Sept 1956. Currently both are retired and do not expect to work again. Have sufficient income to get along comfortably. Wife comes from long lived family. Husband has chronic health issues and not likely to live past early 70"s, maybe less.

I'm divorced but was married for 22 yrs. To maximize my total ss benefits, I plan to use spousal benefits by using restricted application starting at full retirement age of 66(March 2017) and pick up 1/2 of my ex-wife's ss benefits until the age of 70 which I would then start collection my own ss benefits. Is this not a very straightforward case? do I really need your program or any other program?

Hi,

I'm currently reading your updated version of Get What's Yours. I read your earlier version, but I am unclear as to a few specific questions, so thought I would write. Thank you for providing this vital service!

Both my husband and I are going to be age 66 in 2017 and we both were born before January 1, 1954.
It seemed to me that we are qualified for using Restricted Application when we both file at age 66 (FRA). I plan to apply Restricted application at age 66 after my husband filed for his own a month before me.
However, my social security benefit at age 66 is more than 1/2 of my husband's benefit at age 66. Would
Social Security Office automatically give me the greater of the two? Can I still apply for Restricted Application and switch to mine at age 70?

Farm wife never worked; filed jointly; we are both turning 66 in the month of October 2017; my payment at FRA is $2167. Spouse has cancer and would get 1/2 of my payment. I would like to start now in January 2017. I would take a reduction of 5% less payment and wife would get 1/2 of that. Whats wrong with us doing this? Does this affect us that much as far a spousal benefit or a survivor benefit? Earnings test would go to $1 for every $3 with a earnings limit of $44,800 which would not affect me.

Hi,

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

I AM TURNING 66 IN APRIL AND SCHEDULED TO DRAW $2199SS MONTHLY. I CAN DRAW $1068 OFF X HUSBAND, SO, WOULD IT BE SMARTER TO DRAW THIS AND LET MY EARNINGS GROW FOR THE NEXT FEW YEARS?

Hi,

In my opinion, yes it would be smarter to wait until age 70 to start drawing the higher benefits on your own record. However, you may want to run the maximization software available on this website in order to help you decide for yourself.

Best, Jerry

I am 63, my wife is 56, she has a higher salary and will collect more SS when available to her. I am presently working part-time. We are able to live off her income and still save. My IRA (former 401-K) is good, her 403-B is good and growing. We are both covered under her medical plan. When should I bring to collect my social security benefits?

Hi,

my husband will be turning 65 in March 2017, I am 60 and my earnings were significantly higher than his, we are both retired. What is the best time for him to start claiming social security, I plan on waiting until 70 to begin collecting? Does holding off on his social security impact his Medicare premiums long term?

Hi,

I will be 66 on Jan 23rd 2017. My wife started receiving social security on her record in 2008. Should I claim a spousal benefit when I turn 66. My concern is that if I claim a spousal benefit against her record when I reach 66, I will be unable to make a claim on my record (which is much higher) when I finally cease working. I've heard both sides of this from different experts.

Hi,