I will turn 66 in February of 2017. My husband will turn 66 in November of 2017. My husband is the primary breadwinner and has been very successful. I have earned much less (and my social security will definitely be less than my spousal benefit). We are both in excellent health at this time. Fortunately, we have enough means not to have to rely on social security to provide for our needs. We would like utilize the best strategy in applying for social security. What would you suggest? Thank you so much for your time and your expertise.

Hi,

I am unmarried at 61 years old and my husband of 20+ years passed away 6 years ago. I am currently working part time at very low wage and having trouble making ends meet. I have decided to look into getting my survivor benefits. My husband was receiving social security disability when he died. My question is, which would be more beneficial to me to take the survivor benefits now or wait until I am 62 to get my own social security? My wages were never very high. My husband made much more money than I did.

Hi,
My husband started drawing his social security at age 62 due to necessity. He is now 66 (2/14/50). I am planning my retirement at age 62, in four years) but want to wait to maximize my SS and hold off taking it until I'm full retirement age or age 70. Can I draw on his benefit at age 62 and leave mine to grow? I made substantially more income than he did and would like to not have to use my 401K to bridge this gap.

Hi,

I am divorced, 65, still working and plan to work a few more years. I was married 16 years but have been divorced for many years and never remarried. My ex-husband is 68 and retired. I am pretty sure that my social security benefit at age 66 will be higher than my ex-husband's. But if I keep working and do not claim my own social security at age 66, can I get a social security check from my ex-husband's account and then switch to my social security benefit when I decide to take it?

Hi,

My husband (age 67) is semi-retired and has been receiving Social Security retirements benefits since 2013. His PIA at that time was $2018. I am 66 (born June 1950), currently employed, and wish to delay retirement benefits until age 70. I have received conflicting information from Social Security staff about spousal benefits. Most recently, have been told that I am not eligible because my FRA benefit of $1488 is higher than 1/2 of his benefit. Others have said I am eligible. Which is it? And if I am eligible, would I be able to apply for spousal benefits retroactive to June?

I am retiring in Jan 2017 at age 65 would it be more beneficial to wait until Oct 2017 when I turn 66 to start collecting my SS which would be $190 more a month? If I wait until then I would have to take out $20K from my 401K to get me through the 10 months.

Hi,

I will be 65 this June 2, 2017 my wife will be 58 October 2, 2017, we are 7 years apart. I was going to file for SS when I am 70 my wife would be 63 then. She is unsure of taking early retirement at 63 or wait until her full retirement age at 67. We heard about file and suspend. What is the best strategy for us. Thank you

Hi,

I was married to my first husband for over 10 years. He died in 1983 at age 30. I am now 65 and would like to retire at 66, however, being a stay at home mom, divorced after 24 years and a work history of 30 years-but not great financially-can I claim my social security at 66, work under the SS earning limit then claim my widow's benefits at 70?

Hi,

My husband is 56 years of age, mandatorily retired from federal service receiving a pension and collecting ssi until age 56. He is currently employed in non-government service and participating in 401k program. He still has his thrift savings account which he has not touched. I am a stay home wife, although I have met ss 40 quarters of employment, I am 57. What is the best strategy, for me to collect at age 62 and my husband at 70?

My husband is 68, currently works FT and started collecting his SS at Age 66. I am 61(DOB 2/55) and intend to retire by 2/28/17. I intended to hold off collecting my SS until as close to 66 as possible. As long as I am not going to work, can/should I collect part of my husband's SS benefit. My earnings make me eligible for maximum benefit at age 66. Thank you.

Hi,