I am a Military retiree with 40% disability and planning on retiring at age 62 with 40yrs in the work force. Due to ill health problems increaseing, I would like to no the disadvantages and advantages on retiring early. Will I be able to apply and use Medicare.

Hi,

No, you won't get Medicare coverage until age 65. Also, if you start Social Security benefits at age 62, they will be between 25% to 30% lower than your full retirement age benefit, depending on your year of birth.

I am a Military retiree with 40% disability and planning on retiring at age 62 with 40yrs in the work force. Due to ill health problems increaseing, I would like to no the disadvantages and advantages on retiring early. Will I be able to apply and use medicare.

My wife and I are both retired. My birthdate May 1954 and my wife August 1952. My wife has about 24 creditable years with SS and then 15 years with PERS. I have had bypass surgery and have a chronic form of cancer.
Can you kindly offer us any advice on when/how to take our Social Security. Your direction would be greatly appreciated.

Hi,

I'm sorry to hear about your health problems.

Hi Larry,

Hi Larry and team,

I began collecting SS benefit last February (2016) at age 67 (about $2440/month). My wife (born 1955) turns 62 in February 2017, and she is eligible to collect her reduced SS benefit in May or June 2017. She is a naturalized citizen, and has been working various part time, and low-paying fulltime jobs since she came to this country 15 years ago. (She has accumulated around 50+ quarters towards her Social Security benefit. If she began collecting her benefit at 62, her reduced benefit is projected to be $450/month.

I just read a very upsetting post from Sept. 20, 2016 entitled "Can My Wife File For Spousal Benefits Only At Full Retirement Age?" My wife and I are both disabled and receive SSDI. My wife turns 66 in February, 2017 and I turn 66 in September, 2018. Our CFP put together a financial plan that begins in September, 2018 (when I turn 66) but it assumed that my wife, who receives only $411 per month, would "convert" to a spousal benefit based on my $2450 benefit when I turn 66, thus increasing our total SS monthly income to $3675.

My wife died 5 years ago at 63 and had worked for 11-12 years. I am 65 and not collecting SS. Can I collect survivor''s benefits based on her SS and delay my filing?

Hi,

Yes, it sounds like you should be eligible for widower's benefits, although if you are still working the Social Security earnings test (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/whileworking2.html) may limit what you can draw before you reach full retirement age (FRA).

My wife and I are both 62 and working, can she collect ss and keep working until she retires, then collect off of mine when I retire. Would there be any negative consequences?

Hi,

The answer to the first part of your question depends on how much your wife will be earning. If it's more than $15,720 annually, she'd lose some or all of her benefits due to the Social Security earnings test (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/whileworking2.html).

Hi,

I can not find the answer to my question anywhere. I was born 12/25/1951, ex spouse of 25 years born 5/6/1954. Divorced over 2 yrs. I haven't remarried. He is 2 yrs younger than me. I will collect social security when I reach 66.
My question is: Do I file for my benefit first, then file for his when he is 66? His benefit is much higher than mine. Or do I file for both when I'm 66. Will I get less of his benefit because he will not be 66 yet?