What Are the Most Common Retirement Questions You Receive about Social Security?
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: April 6, 2017
There are two big questions I hear plenty.
- My husband wants to retire at 62 and start taking Social Security. Is that okay?
This typically comes up because husbands are often a few years older than their wives, and figure they want to “get their money’s worth” by taking Social Security as early as possible. I think that can be a bad move. Unless you have oodles of money to live on in retirement, you — as a couple — want to maximize your Social Security payout for the longest surviving spouse. It’s important to understand that when one spouse dies, the other spouse is entitled to just one Social Security payment. So you want the surviving spouse to have the biggest possible benefit. Here’s how: Whichever spouse is the higher earner (and thus eligible for a bigger Social Security benefit) should delay taking Social Security at least until their Full Retirement Age (FRA), which is between age 66 and 67, depending on the year you were born.
Your FRA benefit is 25 to 30 percent higher than the benefit you can get at age 62. Even better is to have the high earner wait all the way until age 70. The benefit if you start then is more than 65 percent higher than the benefit you are entitled to at age 62. While the high-earner should wait as long as possible, the other spouse can start earlier, but I always encourage both spouses to delay as long as possible.
- I am getting divorced and haven’t worked full time. Am I going to be able to get Social Security?
If you were married at least 10 years you will be eligible for Social Security based on your ex-spouse’s earnings record. Your receiving a benefit will have no impact on the benefit your ex is eligible for.
There are a few caveats to understand about how this works. Most important, you can’t make a claim on an ex-spouse’s record if you remarry. (It doesn’t matter if your ex remarried.) You also need to be at least 62 years old. You can learn more about that here.
SSA does not endorse any particular financial advisory product or service.
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Tags: full retirement age, retirement benefits, Social Security benefits
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Suze Orman, Personal Finance Expert
Suze Orman is an award-winning personal finance expert.
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Michaelene R.
I was working full time and receiving social security. I have stopped working and want to know if my benefits will change. Thank-you
Ray F.
Great question, Michaelene. Each year, we review the records for all working Social Security recipients to see if additional earnings may increase their monthly benefits.
When you apply for retirement benefits, we base your benefit payment on your highest 35 years of earnings and your age when you start receiving benefits. If your earnings for the prior year are higher than one of the years we used to compute your retirement benefit, we will recalculate your benefit amount.
If an increase is due, a new monthly benefit amount is established on your record automatically. Thanks!
KATHERINE T.
IS THERE A CAP ON WHAT I CAN EARN AT AGE 66 ?
Ray F.
Great question Katherine, if you were born January 2, 1943, through January 1, 1955, then your full retirement age for retirement insurance benefits is 66. If you work and are full retirement age or older, the amount you make at work will not affect your Social Security benefits, no matter how much you earn. Please read our publication “How Work Affects Your Benefits” for more information. Thanks!
Charlie L.
My birthday is 01/23/1953. I want to get the full social security benefit. When can I apply the social security full benefit? May I apply 3 month prior to my 66 birthday?
Ray F.
Hello Charlie. If you were born between 1943 and 1954 your full retirement age is 66. Our system is set up to take applications four months in advance. You can apply for your benefits online.
Remember that benefits are paid the month after they are due. So, for instance, if you want your benefits to begin with the month of January, you will receive your first benefit payment in February. Please visit our Social Security Retirement Planner for more information. Thanks!
Connie
I’m divorced and am getting remarried. I am 65, will I be able to collect a portion of my new husband social security?
Vonda V.
Hi Connie, thank you for the question. Current policy indicates a spouse must meet a 1 year duration-of-marriage requirement but there are some exceptions. Check out our Benefits For Your Spouse web page for more details.
Helen
?? Spouse BD 5.4.51 filed & suspended benefits @ FRA of 66. Spouse @ FRA w/ BD 9.11.52 filing for spousal benefits. Can spouse receive spousal benefits while spouse has filed & suspended or need to wait to receive spousal benefits until spouse is receiving benefits no longer filed & suspended?
Vonda V.
Hi Helen, thank you for using the blog. The new rules for voluntary suspension resulting from the Bipartisan Budget Act are effective for requests to suspend benefits submitted April 30, 2016 and later.
For more information, see Retirement Planner: Recent Social Security Claiming Changes.
Kathy M.
We’ve been told that when my husband retires this next year, my SS benefit will increase to around half of what he’ll receive. My benefits are much lower that his and I started full retirement benefits almost 3 years ago. Is this true and how can I figure the amount?
Ken
I retired at age 62 due to a medical disability. Does that have an effect on my wives benefit when she retires at age 66?
Ray F.
Hello Ken. Keep in mind that if your wife qualifies for Retirement Benefits on her own record, we will pay that amount first. If the benefit on your record is higher, she will get an additional amount on your record so that the combination of benefits equals that higher amount. See “Benefits For Your Family” for more information. Thanks!
Elizabeth W.
I receive sociial security benefits for me. My huband died in Febuary 2016 why dont I receive his benefits as I was his legal wife when he died.
Loren
What if you lose your sign in password?
Vonda V.
Hi Loren: See our Frequently Asked Questions web page for information on how to retrieve or change your password. If you encounter a problem, you may call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “helpdesk”.
Kathleen M.
I was told that when my spouse retires next year, my SS premium will increase because he has earned significantly more than I did. I’ve been on SS for almost 3 years.
Vonda V.
Hi Kathleen, thanks for using our blog to ask your question. For you to qualify for additional spouse’s benefits on your husband’s record, he must be receiving retirement or disability benefits. When your spouse files, you may also qualify for a higher amount on his record as a spouse and may be able to get a combination of benefits that equals the higher amount. Visit our Retirement Planner: Benefits For You As a Spouse for more information.