Larry, My wife will be 66 in April, 2017 and will still work full time as will I. She'll be eligible to receive SSA benefits based on her earnings record that will be substantially less (about 50%) than mine. I reach 66 in January, 2018, but plan on waiting until age 70 to maximize my SSA benefits.

My husband and I are still working. He is 69 and I just turned 66. We have not yet filed for benefits, hoping to each wait until 70 to file, thanks to advice from your book. We thought he should file and suspend now and I file to collect spousal benefits now as well. Is this correct thinking? What happens when he turns 70 and files again to collect his benefits? And what happens when I file for my own benefits at 70? When one of us dies, what benefit would the other be collecting? Thank you.

Hi,

I was born 7/13/57 & my ex of 12 years marriage was born 8-2-58. He makes substantially more than I do so eventually I will want to file on his earnings record. However, I'm wanting to file early at 62 or 63 I'm assuming because he's younger.

We are on speaking terms so he did go through the S.S. system and calculated that his benefits looked to be approximately $2400 a month. (He earns $200,00+ annually)

I am 63. Can I apply for my reduced benefits now and then when my ex dies apply for divorced widow benefits? Would I receive his full amount if he was on disability at the time of death?

Hi,

I am 65 years old, 7/31/1951. I just retired but do not plan to file for my social security benefits until my 70th birthday. My wife is 62, 4/8/1954 and will continue to work as long as possible. We both have about similar maximum retirement earnings benefits, my wife's are probably about 5% higher than mine. My question: Once I turn 66, in July, do I have the option of filing and suspending, so my wife can collect her spousal benefit. With two possibilities: she is working at the time and earning over $100,000 or she might be temporally unemployed.

Hi,

I'm 62 - working and plan to work for 10 more years - $40K annual income - can I push $25,000 into my 401k (to reduce income) and draw my SS at age 63 - I understand the benefit would be reduced but I think I should still come out $12k+ per year - what is your advise? Thanks!

Hi,

Hi Larry:

My husband is 22 years older than me (82). I just turned 60. He started collecting SS at age 62. I've been working all my life and can wait until I'm 70 to start collecting. My question is: What strategies should I be aware of to optimize my SS benefits? Is there anything I should be doing prior to age 70? What if my husband passes before I start collecting SS - is there something I should do that would increase my SS other than waiting until age 70 when it will be the highest amount possible? Thanks!

Hi,

Hi Larry,

Hi,
My wife is 64 years old and quit her job a year ago. With no current or planned income, is there an obvious benefit for her to wait until full retirement age or later to file for Social Security Benefits? Since she is not making any paycheck contributions, it seems that she might a well start to collect ASAP. I am 61 and plan to work and contribute to my SS account for a few more years.
Thanks in advance for your consideration.
Tony

Hi Tony,

Below I have cut and pasted my previous question and your reply. My new question is--can my wife--once we pay back the 3 months, back apply for those same 3 months