I am 62, recently retired, and plan on waiting until I'm 70 to claim my SS benefits. My wife is 61, also retired, and will turn 62 next April. Her spousal benefits (~1700) will be more than her own SS benefits (~1000). Does it make sense for her to wait until her FRA to file for her SS benefits? If she files at 62, her own benefits are reduced to ~800. If I file and suspend at 66, will she then receive the 1700 or a lesser amount?

Hi,

Dear Larry,

Thank you for your book, which I am almost finished.

I am 68 years old and have not filed for ss benefits - wishing to get the max at 70 - $3,162)
However, I need to take some benefits now as I'm not making enough to cover expenses.
I was thinking of two possible scenarios:

1) I file now in August and get 5 months x my current monthly benefit of $2773 through December, 2016
2) I file retroactively for 6 months and get 11 months x the lower months benefit of $2,693 through December 2016

I turned 66 in April. My wife is 63. I have not applied for anything with the SS. I plan on working until I am 70 before starting SS benefits. Would the best way to maximize our benefits be for her to start her benefits now and then me apply for spousal benefits until I reach 70? We both have long life expectancies.

Hi,

Hi Larry,

I just finished reading the updated 'Get What's Yours'. This is a must-read book for anyone 60 years and older. I expect I will also purchase your software program in the near future.

Here are the financial specifics pertaining to my wife and I.

Hello, my 62 year old husband is on Disability Social Security. He began collecting at 61 due to Lewy Body Dementia disease. I will be 61 in October 2016. I have read in your column that spouses can collect additional monies from their spouses SS even while the spouse is collecting. Is this the case with Disability Social Security. I am now wrestling with when I should begin taking SS - at 62 or 66 and 2 months? I am not working as I am the primary caregiver for my husband. We are currently living off our savings and his DSS payments.

Wife turns 66 sept 25 2016, I turn 66 December 21st 2016 full retirement age is 66 when should I file for wife to get 50% of my social security and when should I file for my social security taking it at age 66

Hi,

My second husband and I were together for nine years before i left in 2004. We were married in 1995. I filed for divorce in 2004 and the final decree was made in 2006. I have several health issues, am 58, would it be wise to file at 62 under his? He made more that I during his career and is ten years older than I.

Hi,

Hi Larry, i am 64'and retiring the end of 2016. Can I defer my sis until age 70 and in the interim collect on my ex benefits? Also can I collect anything on my first husbands benefits who died 35 years ago while we were married?

Hi,

My birthdate is 11/1953. Last year I had an accident and am still unable to work. I've been left with various disabilities but I'm not eligible for Social Security Disability because I didn't have enough work quarters. My husband of 28yrs was born 5/1940, began taking his SS at the age of 62, and he receives $2200. a month. I receive a very small amount of worker's compensation. I need more income and feel that I must begin to collect SS at this point. I did get your wonderful book last year but still have a question regarding my circumstances.

My husband, a retired Federal employee, will claim his SS benefits next year at age 70. I just turned 65. Which is better - for me to claim my SS benefits and suspend them and claim spousal benefits or for me to wait to age 70 to claim SS?

Hi,