Retirement Benefits

HI LARRY, I WAS BORN JANUARY 1, 1957. WHEN WOULD BE THE FIRST MONTH THAT I CAN COLLECT SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS? THANK YOU, SUSAN

Hi Susan,

I turned 70 on March 26 and have an appointment at SS Monday, April 29 to apply for benefits.
I've read your book and found it invaluable. And happy to get the software if you think it will help. My question is very specific to my financial history. The problem is that SS estimates of my benefit decreased this year from what had been estimated in past annual notices they sent me. I called SS but customer service came up with an even lower monthly benefit. I can't imagine why this is happening.

Dear Larry, My husband was a Firefighter, and after marriage I stayed home to take care of my 5 children. He did not pay into social security only Municipal Pension. I was involved any children schooling and activities and have yet to return to work. Im 62. I worked as a RN but let like I said to raise my sons. I have income earned until that point, but not since 1991. Did I lose all my previous credits, and what are my options for returning to work, how long to I have to work and how much $$ in order to qualify for Social Security.

Mr. Kotlikoff, good afternoon. Thank you for providing this service to ask questions about social security.

My question is about the maximum (retirement) social security benefit amount, which I understand is $3,770.00 per month in 2019. Through my online research, I've concluded that only two (2) criteria are necessary to qualify for the maximum benefit amount: 1) delaying benefits until age 70 and 2) having a record of at least 35 years of earnings where the earnings amount meets or exceeds the maximum earnings amount subject to social security tax. Is that correct?

When I was down sized out of a job at 62 (FRA 66) I elected to take spousal benefit at age 66 and continue to delay receiving benefits on my record. The last benefit estimate I had showed me receiving $2282 @ 66 doing the math $2282*1.32 I would receive $3012 + COLA . Is this correct? How does $0 income for 8 years effect my benefit. I can't get a benefit estimate from SS online because I receive spousal benefits. Will SS give me the benefit amount over the phone or at a SS office?
Thank you

Hi,

Hi. I hope you can answer this question that the SS website doesn't seem to answer. Let's say a person quits working sometime before their 62nd birthday. At 62, they file for Social Security benefits. The monthly benefit can be calculated using that year's form 05-10070 and Index Factors. If a person decides not to file, until age 64, does that original 'retirement age' (Step 6) get recalculated using current year index factors, or is that original number the one that is used for the adjusted 64 year old's benefit amount? Thank you!

Hi,

Hi Larry:

I worked for 28 years under Social Security. I was fired at age 52, and have not worked in over 10 years. If I go back to work now, after have no Social Security credits for over 10 years and take a job at less than half my former pay, I was told my Social Security retirement benefits would be permanently reduced and it is better to have no credits on your record than take a job at half your former pay. Is this correct?

Hello,

I'm 60 and single. Have about 19 years employment (was disable for many years with a smattering of employment (about from 1975 to 1980). I'm at about $72000 p/year now.

I went to my SSA online and used calculator which said I'd get $1,122.00 at 62, ($1,083 if I stopped work now and claim at 62), $1,784 at 66 and 8 mths (full retirement.

Hello, Larry.
I am wondering if a worker's social security benefits increase beyond age 70. Do earnings after age 70 figure into the benefits calculations? I was a stay-at-home mom for a number of years during which time I had zero income of my own and am curious as to if it is too late to increase my SS benefit. I will turn 66 this year.

Hi,