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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Bernadette V.
My husband collects SSDI and is turning 65 in April. He is currently covered under my Health Insurance. My questions are What does he have to do, if anything, to go from receiving SSDI to receiving SSI? Is it in our best interest to stay with my Insurance or to go with Medicare and fi we go with Medicare does it cost a lot of money?
R.F.
Hi Bernadette. Social Security disability benefits automatically change to (SSA) retirement benefits when disability beneficiaries attain their full retirement age.
Generally, when an individual -already- gets Social Security benefits, and becomes eligible for Medicare, we’ll automatically enroll him or her in Medicare Hospital Insurance (Part A) and Medical Insurance (Part B). However, because you must pay a premium for Part B coverage, you have the option of turning it down.
Also, if you’re actively working and your husband is covered under your employer’s group health insurance program, he can delay enrollment into Medicare Part B until you stop working or the health coverage is dropped. However, we suggest that individuals speak to their health benefits advisor, or health plan representative to see what’s best for them, and to prevent any penalties or delayed enrollment in the future.
To learn more about the Medicare enrollment periods visit http://www.Medicare.gov.
For specific questions about his case, your husband can call 1-800-772-1213, M-F between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. and speak to one of our agents. Hope this helps!
Nancy P.
I receive civilian service retirement currently 64 years age. Am I eligible to apply SS from former spouse ?
Mary E.
I don’t think I received this years increase. MY final check $ has been the same for the last 2 years.
Henry N.
Where and how may I find out the amount Social Security entitles me to receive and the amount I actually received based on the deductions make on that amount becuse of my specific income, number of dependents, etc? I would like to know this information for the tax year 2016.
Thank you,
Henry N. Giiguere
MaryEllen
My birthday is on the 3rd of the month and the electronic deposit is usually in the bank by now. Am I a day early….. or has the Government shutdown affected the Senior population?
R.F.
Hi Mary, SSA delivers benefit-payments on four days throughout the month: on the 3rd of the month and on the second, third and fourth Wednesdays of the month.
Beneficiaries entitled to benefits prior to May 1997 continue to receive their payments on the 3rd of the month. Beneficiaries who filed claims on or after May 1, 1997, are assigned one of the three new payment dates (second, third or fourth Wednesdays of the month) based on their day of birth.
View the Schedule of Social Security Benefit Payments for 2018 for more information.
To report a missing payment, call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Sherry
My husband & U reached full retirement age in 2017 but have continued working. I will retire the end of June and he will the end of October. Can I collect spousal benefits off his even though he has not yet retired? Would it be better for me to hold off on spousal benefit until 2019 because of the taxes on it?
R.F.
Hello Sherry, if you were born before January 2, 1954 and have already reached full retirement age, you can choose to receive only the spouse’s benefit and delay receiving your retirement benefit until a later date.
See our Retirement Planner: Benefits For You As A Spouse for more information.
Please bear in mind that the decision on when to apply for benefits is a personal one. We can only provide you with the information to help you make the best choice according to your own situation.
Please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 for further assistance. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
We hope this information helps!
Roy W.
I am going to live in the uk at the end of feb 2018 what do I have to do to have my SS payments sent to a bank in the UK
R.F.
Hi Roy, if you live outside the United States, unless a payment restriction applies, we can deposit your benefits into your account at a financial institution in any country that has an international direct deposit agreement with the United States. We will help you establish your direct deposit information when you apply for your Social Security benefits.
We ask our customers living abroad, to contact their nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for any assistance related to their Social Security benefits.
Read our publication: Your Payments While You are Outside the United States for more information. Also, our Office of International Operations home page provides more information to assist our customers living abroad.
You can use our Payments Abroad Screening Tool to find out if you can receive your Social Security payments if you are outside the United States or are planning to go outside the United States. We hope this information helps!
Sheliah L.
can you collect Social Security on your ex husband if you lived together for 13 months and were married 9 years and 5 months
Linda R.
I have heard so many things about social security that I’m confused. If I work and collect social security how much can I much can I make until my social security gets taxed. Also at what age can I get full SS and work without paying tax on my SS. I have heard 66 and I have heard 70
R.F.
To answer your first question, Linda: You can still work and receive your Social Security retirement benefits at the same time. However, if you are younger than full retirement age and make more than the yearly earnings limit, we will reduce your benefit. Read our publication “How Work Affects Your Benefits” for more information.
Your second question seems to be about paying taxes on your Social Security benefits. Some people have to pay federal income taxes on their Social Security benefits. This usually happens only if you have other substantial income (such as wages, self-employment, interest, dividends and other taxable income that must be reported on your tax return) in addition to your benefits. Also, keep in mind that everyone working in covered employment or self-employment, regardless of age or eligibility for benefits must pay Social Security taxes. For further income tax questions, you will need to contact the IRS. Their toll-free number is 1-800-829-1040. We hope this information helps!
Rich
I’m 65 and still employed.My wife is 62.My question is can my wife receive her ss at 62 and then collect her spousal benefits when she reaches her fra?