My husband died in 2010 when he was 46 and I 47, Since then I have continuously claimed a widow's benefit, as I have sole care of our developmentally disabled child (now age 27), I have worked part time during most years, but now have an opportunity to pursue a full-time job. I doubt I can achieve an earnings record anywhere near my late husband's. Will your software be able to show me the impact of future wages on my own record, as well as whether I can/should suspend collecting my widow's benefit?

Do I have to know what my benefit would have been at 65 to use your program? How do I get this figure?
I started taking SS at 70 and need to know this to find out when my wife, age 64, needs to start hers. Her DOB: 4/14/1956. Thanks. Happy to buy the software, but SS won't answer my question online....

Hi,

My wife is two years older and hasn’t worked in past 25 years. Does the software handle the scenario of her taking benefits at 62 and then me also at 62 but two years later? Thanks, Tim

Hi Tim,

Yes, our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) can handle the scenario you describe. The software could also fully analyze all of the other filing options available to you and your wife so that you can decide which filing strategy you believe is best for your individual needs.

Can you comment on when MMSC will be able to reflect this quirk is SS?
https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2020-06-24/coronavirus-social-sec...

Hi,

Hi Larry,
I have been unable to find a retirement calculator that reflects my desire to stop working at age 65 (stop receiving income) but delay filing until age 70. The SSA calculator assumes you will work up until the time you file for benefits which is not my desire. Does your Maximize My Social Security site provide calculators such as that, or could you recommend a planning resource that does? I would like to be able to take my earnings history from the SSA site and plug in future projected earnings to play with different retirement scenarios.

I am 64 and still working, although reduced hours and significantly reduced salary. My wife is 69 with no work record and no credits (she was a "stay at home mom"). We'd like to claim retirement benefits so I can more comfortably leave the work force completely, (although we could manage without social security benefits). I understand she would be entitled to one-half of my PIA if I start to claim retirement benefits now, although I would receive a smaller benefit. Does your MMSS program address a situation like this with only one spouse (the younger one) with a work record?

Hi,

I am looking at purchasing your software. I have a question: since my wife passed away in April of 2018, I cannot get a copy of her earnings history from the social security office. How will this affect the use of the software, or is there a way to get this information.

thanks,

bennett

Hi Bennett,

I'm sorry for your loss.

Hi, I am about to try to calculate our best SS strategy. We are both retired 69/68 old. I worked all my life and my partner raised the family.
We do receive German SS equivalent government pension from our years when we worked in Germany. I also receive a corporate pension from my time in Germany.

From our work in the US we have rolled over my 401K into an IRA and I have accumulated SS pension benefits (my partner has no accumulated SS pension benefits. We have not applied for SS benefits, only medicare.

I will turn 70 on March 11, 2020, and will apply for my Social Security benefit at that time. Does my annual amount as currently calculated by Maximize My Social Security include next year’s 1.6% COLA? Thank you.

Hi,

No, the upcoming 1.6% cost of living increase (COLA) won't be automatically reflected in the 2020 benefit rates shown in our software until January 1 2020. However, you can input 1.6% as your assumed inflation rate for 2020 and then use the Social Security Benefit change feature to adjust your assumed inflation rate for future years.

I consider myself to be financially illiterate, and I just read your book. I took notes and tried very hard to understand it, but there's so much I missed. I'm 60 years old, and I can use someone to put together a flowchart for me of my options over the next 10 years. I'm approaching either a lifelong separation or separation and eventual divorce, so I'll have to consider all my options. Do you consult with people individually, or do you know of someone who does? Thanks.

June

Hi June,