In response to your answer that I cannot delay my own retirement benefits while collecting my widows benefits by switching from my SSD to full widows benefits at FRA…
What does social security mean by exceptions to deemed filing for disability and survivor benefits?
“Deemed filing also does not apply if you receive spouse's benefits and are entitled to disability”
It appeared to me that this was a loophole for SSD recipients to convert at FRA??

My wife and I are the same age. And I understand the deeming rules (that if a person files for either their retirement or spousal benefit, they are also deemed to be filing for the other benefit too). My question is, I thought that my wife could file for her retirement benefit at FRA (which is 67 for both of us). But I would delay filing for my retirement benefit until age 70, at which time she would file for her spousal benefit. But will SS deem that she filed for her spousal benefit at 67 even though I didn't file for my retirement benefit?

Hi, my husband was born in January1950 and I was born in September 1956. When my husband turned 70 and applied for Social Security I was forced to apply for reduced spousal benefit because I was 63. Is it because of deeming? I will have enough credits on my record when I turn 66. When is the best time to apply on my record? Can I increase the amount if I wait until 70. I think deeming is very unfair because it’s permanently reduced. Thank you! Where can I read your answers?

Hi Larry,

Just earlier this week you were nice enough to quickly respond to my following question: Is Social Security just forgetting the January 2, 1954 rule for spousal benefits??!

My fiance is divorced and is 60 years old. I am currently 57 and my wife had died when I was 55 so I will be waiting at least 3 years before getting married so I can lock in my survivors benefits.

Hi Larry: My wife is 8 months older than I and she will be applying for her own benefit in 2020 (not spousal) on January 24 when she turns 66. Regarding deeming, will I be forced to apply as well because she applied on her own record? I have your great book but am confused about this deeming thing. My plan is to wait until age 70 to apply on my own record, but, like your book says, don't trust everything the folks at Social Security tell us. Thanks in advance for your help.

Hi,

Hi--I purchased MaxMySS and ran a What If scenario with my husband filing at 68 and my filing at 70. We have a disabled adult child. I was born in 10/1958 and my husband in 7/1953. The results show my filing for child-in-care spouse's benefits in Jul 2021, the year I turn 63, and my husband turns 68. This looks good to us. However, a financial planner we've consulted says if I file for CIC spousal benefits in 2021, I will be "filing early and will receive whichever reduced benefit (spousal or yours) is higher.

I have a question about Social Security 'Deeming'.
A little background first; I will be 62 in October of 2018 and was planning to take SS early. Reason being is that I have a pension that covers my expenses and an IRA that I could leave untouched until 70 1/2 when RMD kicks in. Taking my SS at 62 gives me extra play money that would have drawn down my IRA and in the long run, net me a smaller lifetime net worth.
My wife will be 62 in February of 2019.

I claimed early retirement (63 years old at the time) in 2010. I was unemployed and depleted my unemployment benefits and had found no job. I was divorced from my 35 year marriage in 2003 (I believe). My question to you (and I find this most unsettling to me) when I took early retirement my ex spouse who was also 63 at the time had to leave the workforce due to health issues. He claimed disability SS. I had to use my own SS benefits but continued to work (I had found a job by this time).

Hello Larry,

The following is one of your strategies for claiming Society security when you have options to file under your own benefits or your survivor benefits. I have this question and just need to verify : What if I file at age 63 for survivor benefits, will I be deemed to file under my own record since my benefits is much higher than the survivor benefits.

"File for reduced widow's benefits at age 60 or as soon as your earnings will permit benefits to be paid, then switch to your own record at age 70"

Thanks

LT