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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Sue M.
I need CMS-1763 form to terminate Part B employer ill advised me so I now need to cancel due to employer insurance
Vonda V.
Hi Sue, thank you for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for details on how to terminate Medicare Part B.
MARIA H.
Where is the CMS 1763 form? I can’t seem to find it. Also can someone mail me a copy asap? Please and thank you
Vonda V.
Hi Maria, thanks for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for details on how to terminate Medicare Part B. We hope this helps!
Suzanne P.
I Amon early retirement. And now due to health issues having to completely retire. Can I have my Social Security redone to update it to full retirement? I’m 69.
Vonda V.
Hi Suzanne, thanks for using our blog. Generally, if you continue to work while receiving retirement benefits, your monthly benefit amount may increase. As long as you continue to work and receive benefits, we will check your record automatically every year to see whether the additional earnings will increase your monthly benefit. If there is an increase, we will send you a letter telling you of your new benefit amount. You can call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 for further assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
ROHIT C.
how can I find CMS 1763 form on SSA sight ?
Vonda V.
Hi Rohit, thanks for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for details on how terminate Medicare Part B.
Victoria F.
Hello,
I am 64 years old, separated from my husband less than 1 year after 26 years. I am entitled to SS benefits from my own working record but have not filed to receive them yet. He is 71 and receiving SS benefits. My question is: Can I file for benefits under my husband’s work record for the time in between now and full retirement age when I file for my benefits?
Thank you.
VFS
Vonda V.
Hi Victoria, thank you for your question. You may be able to get divorced spouse’s benefits but, under existing law, if you are eligible for benefits both as a retired worker and as a divorced spouse, you must apply for both benefits and you’ll receive the higher of the two benefits. This requirement is called “deemed filing” because when you apply for one benefit you are “deemed” to have also applied for the other.
Park J.
I could not find Medicare cancel form(CMS 1763).
Would you mind send it to my email or explain how to get it please?
Thanks for your help!
Vonda V.
Hi Park, thanks for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for details on how to terminate Medicare Part B. We hope this helps!
Catharina F.
My husband retired and now I get social security also.
My husband says it’s his money not mine.
I disagree.
What is your opinion about that ?
Thank you for a response
Catharina
manzoor h.
hi Where i can find CMS-1763 form to fill up and cancle medcare part B.
I registred only part Abut by mistake ss office registred part B
Can some one email form CMS-1763 to me thanks
Vonda V.
Hi Manzoor, thanks for using our blog to ask your question. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for details on how to terminate Medicare Part B. We hope this is helpful!
Doreen G.
How does anyone who’s been w/o a steady home or living space for 10 yrs being disabled that long & too many rounds of court as Judge got to watch me as my kids also watched in horror to see the system not work .
How does anyone get help after ive had as much taken from me possible I at least have a backpay at SS and to get it for a vehicle for a place to live I put in faxed to them at the office so security office about getting some backpay so that I could finish my move I got no response at all and I was told they never even received it when I have the confirmation page nothing ever makes it to the local office even for months later it doesn’t make it I just want to know how anyone gets backpay to be able to find a place to live or purchase put a down payment on something so I can’t afford to survive I know you’re not meant to but I’m trying very hard to at least left my last years out .
And answer that someone has honestly tried already and it gone through and how long and how they did it would be great thank you I appreciate you very much God bless you have a great day
Brad
I’m 66 and retired on PERS retirement and on Medicare. I payed a little into SS but don’t have enough credits to collect anything. My wife is 63 and working but not collecting SS yet. Is it possible for me to tap into hers to pay for my part I pay for my Medicare?
Vonda V.
Hi Brad, thank you for using our blog. If you are not eligible for Medicare on your own record, there are certain conditions where you may be able to receive Medicare as a spouse based on your wife’s work record. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213 to inquire or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.