If I claim my own benefit at 66 and my husband claims spousal on my benefit until he turns 70, then can I turn around and claim spousal benefit on my husband's record when he claims his Social Security at age 70 and received half of his total benefit? He turns 66 in April 2017 and I in December 2017.

Hi,

Not exactly. You could file for an excess spousal benefit when he files if you're eligible, though. I'll explain with an example.

My husband is 68, collecting pension for 10 years, started drawing SS at 62. I am 62 in Aug. When is the best time for me to start collecting and do I collect on mine or his. My income is 30,000 annually and his SS gross is approx $2400 monthly.

Hi,

My wife and I both will reach FRA in October of this year. We are both recently retired. At FRA, SS estimates my monthly benefit at $2249 and hers at $1534. From what I have read and learned, our best course of action is for her to claim at FRA and for me to claim spousal benefits via a restricted application. My assumption is that we will leave mine to grow to the SS estimated $3084 at age 70, for whichever of us survives longest. I suppose their estimate is a bit high since I am not working to age 70 (probably more like $2969 (1.32 x $2249).

Dear Larry,

I am 64, (6/30/1952) and semi-retired,(pension; small)and care for 3 grandchildren; all from the same mother who does not work. Is there a way to claim benefits from mine or my wife SS to help with the cost of living for grandchildren; my wife 58 works as an LPN and doesn't make enough for all of us to live day to day; including my pension we wont make it until I turn 66 FRA. Is there any strategy for us???? I am looking for work and plan to go for FRA benefits at 691/2 yrs old

Hi,

Dear Larry,
I just turned 65 and my husband will turn 62 this October. I just read your column about Liz and Jane and think that we could do claim the same spousal benefits. I do have a question though. In this example, does Liz get a spousal benefit when she reaches 66 and suspends her retirement benefit until she is 70?
Thank you for all you have done to educate us.
B.

Hi B.,

I am 56 and on disability $2389/month and understand it will convert to ss at fra which is at age 67. My husband will be 62 next week and he intends to work until 70. His estimated ss will be $1777/month. Because he is self employed and we currently pay bcbs insurance for him on an individual policy. He will need to get on medicare at 65 since bcbs will not continue his coverage. We need advice on how to proceed. We will get the total of the two amounts when he turns 70? Thanks for your time.

Hi,

I will be 63 this year and my wife will be 62. I made $78,000. last year and my wife has only had a part-time job for 19 years and was a stay at home mom ( 4 children) for the 15 years before that. She made a little over 13,000. last year. My job is being phased out and I could take a 20,000 cut in pay and maybe get 2 more years out of the job if I want to. I have 5 more years to pay on my house but have enough money to pay my bills until 70 and take Social Security then or any time before then, What would be the best way to maximize my benefits?

Hi,

My wife is full retirement age (66) and I am 62. She works for me, but only makes around $20k per year. When I retire, we will have around $1.5 million, plus some rental real estate. Her monthly SS right now would be $1500/month, and mine will be $2500/month at full retirement age, in 4 years. Should we collect her SS now, or would it get taxed away because I am still working? We can delay collecting hers if it is to our advantage. Thank you.