Ask Larry

Will The Earnings Test Affect My Benefits?

My wife's birthdate is April 1951. she has just applied for her social security as she has reached FRA. My birthdate is June 1951. Upon reaching FRA in June I was planning to file and suspend my benefit and then apply for my spousal benefit allowing my benefit to grow till 70. When she went into the SSA office, the employee told her that I could do that but my benefit amount would be affected if I was still working full time which I was planning to do. With the changes in the law I understood this would be our best filing strategy but never have seen anything about working affecting this benefit. What is correct?

Hi,

First off, you don't want to file and suspend your own benefits. If you do so, you won't be able to receive spousal benefits (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/suspendfaq.html). Instead, you can file a restricted application for spousal benefits only effective with the month you reach full retirement age, then file separately for benefits on your own record at age 70.

The earnings test won't apply in your case since both you and your wife will have reached full retirement age
by the time you become entitled to benefits (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/whileworking2.html).

Best, Jerry

Category: 
Posted: 
May 9 2017 - 7:32am
MaxiFi software running on a laptop
Get What's Yours!
Discover tens of thousands in extra retirement dollars with Maximize My Social Security software!
  • Find your maximized strategy
  • Unlimited what-ifs
  • Step-by-Step filing instructions
  • Our software's lifetime-benefit increase for an illustrative couple earning $65K each and planning to take retirement benefits at 62.

    Results will differ based on your specific case and filing strategy.

Getting Started is Easy
Web-based software. Works on ALL browsers. No download.