A family member filed and suspended in April 2016 which would be prior to the law change. He was a little past his FRA so no issue there. He did this so his wife could claim a spousal benefit at her full retirement age while he is continuing to work and not drawing his benefit. His spouse, just having reached FRA this month, went to SS to file for spousal benefits. She was only given the option of filing on her account, which is minimal as she only worked enough to receive minimum benefits.

2 years ago your company did a social security analysis for me, of which I paid for. I also bought your book. I went to the social security office today and they said NO to your recommendation . I need HELP if they are wrong or what to do next. I have an appointment on 1/22/18 to contest the opinion I was given. My wife did nothing at todays visit except to contest and re schedule. Here is the story. My wife and I both worked, we are both retired and I was the bigger earner. My birthday was 3/28/50 . My wife 3/5/52

I turned 66 in Feb. 2016 and filed and suspended my benefits before the April 2016 deadline. My wife turned 66 in August of 2016 and applied for spousal benefits at that time. After many inquires to SSI she received the the following when she logged into her account. (It was dated 09/12/2016 but did appear until Nov. 2016.) "Your claim for Spouse benefits has been approved.

My wife turned 66 in April 2016, and I turned 68 in April 2016. We applied for social security retirement in June 2016.
My ss to start in August as I wanted. We were told by ss at the time of application on the phone(they phoned us after we applied on line)
They informed us that my wife would only get half of what my total was based on her birthday of April 2016 and never a higher amount.

My husband and I can legally file and suspend (he turned 66 April 25th, 2016 and filed and suspended by April 30th, 2016; I turn 66 in February of 2017). I went to the Peekskill New York social security office to file for spousal benefits and was met with obstinate certainty that I was incorrect in my thinking. I asked to see a supervisor and was given an appointment for 11/29/16 and a 5 page handout with incorrect information and scenarios. How do you suggest I handle my appointment?

Love the software, but my year is about to run out and I need to find out if I am incorrect or there is an error in current software - my spouse turned 66 on April 10 of 2016. As directed by the software, she filed and suspended (well before April 29). I will turn 66 in January of 2017. It was my understanding that at that time I could apply for spousal benefit without my spouse having to reinstating her benefit. I thought that was the loophole that only changed changed after April 29. I'd appreciate your answer.

Hi,

I am 68, not planning to take social security until I am 70. I filed and suspended in February so that my 64 year old wife will be able to take her spousal benefit when she reaches her full retirement age, leaving her benefit to grow until she reaches 70. Her spousal benefit will be only slightly less than her full retirement benefit, as she did not work outside the home while raising our children.

I turned 66 in January 2016 & I filed & suspended in Feb. 2016 because I'm planning to wait until 70 to actually take my social security benefits. My wife is 63 & will be turning 64 this year but was a stay at home mom with virtually no SS benefits of her own. She has not filed & suspended or done anything yet. Under the new laws will she be able to file when she turns 66 & receive half of my full retirement benefits while I'm still waiting till 70 ?

Hi,

My wife turned 66 on Feb. 2016 and I turned 65 on June 2016. I contacted SSA about filing "file and suspend" on Nov 2015 and again on Feb 2016 (for myself ) so that my wife can start collecting half of my benefit on the same month when she turned 66. I was told both times that I was not qualified since I was 64 year old at the time. Your recent article on Forbes seems to suggest that the representatives of SSA were wrong. What would be the best way for us to re-approach SSA? (July 3, 2016)

Hi,

Dear Larry,

I turned 66 in April. My husband is 64 and still working. We wanted him to file and suspend so that I could get the spousal benefit. But since he is not 66, it appeared I did not qualify. Is that correct? Must I wait for him to retire to get my spousal benefit?

best, Candy

Dear Candy,