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What Are the Most Common Retirement Questions You Receive about Social Security?

April 6, 2017 • By

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Last Updated: April 6, 2017

Suze OrmanThere are two big questions I hear plenty.

  1. 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.

  1. 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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About the Author

Suze Orman, Personal Finance Expert

Suze Orman is an award-winning personal finance expert.

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Comments

  1. Martha K.

    Me again: I neglected to mention that I am not receiving any SS benefits at this time. I’d like to wait until I’m 70 to start collecting mine. However, can I collect my ex-husband’s SS benefits at 66? We were married 26 years.

    • Ray F.

      Hello Martha, a surviving divorced spouse can start receiving reduced benefits as early as age 60. In many cases, a widow or surviving divorced spouse can begin receiving one benefit at a reduced rate and then, at full retirement age or later, switch to the other benefit at an unreduced rate. If you delay your benefits until after full retirement age, you may be eligible for delayed retirement credits that would increase your monthly benefit.
      You cannot apply for survivor’s benefits online. If you decide to apply, you will need to contact your local office, or call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. for assistance. Thanks!

  2. Martha K.

    How do I find out my options at age 66? I am divorced after 26 years of marriage, and I’m also a widow (from the same man).

  3. Linda B.

    I have two questions that I need answers to. I reach full retirement age next year and my husband reaches 62. Once I file for Ss can my husband collect against me and continue to work? Also my husband will insure me with his private blue cross. Will that be my primary insurance or will Medicare be my primary insurance?

  4. Francine L.

    I am going to work parttime and want to know how much I am allowed to earn while receiving Social Security?

  5. Wanda B.

    At what age can I collect my full social security benefits and make the same salary I am now? I am 65 and will be 66 in April of 2019 and still working. Also what percentage should I take out of my social security check for taxes? Thank you.

  6. Jim B.

    I want to receive ss after I reach 68
    when should I apply online for ss?
    when would I start receiving benefits?

    • Ray F.

      Hello Jim. Our system is set up to take applications three months in advance and 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 May, you will receive your first benefit payment in June.
      Please visit our Social Security Retirement Planner for more information. Thanks!

  7. Sherwin M.

    I’m retiring 5/7/2018 I will make about 24000 at my job this year will I be penalized for making that much? I am 63.
    Also a man I work with will retire in Sept. he will be 65 and make about 60000 will he pay a penalty?

  8. Maria D.

    I do not have enough credits to qualify for ss monthly, payments only medicare, I am 63 years old, will turn 64 in August, can i file SS though my husband when he turns 62 in August 2018?

    • Ray F.

      Hello Maria. Generally, a person needs 40 credits or at least 10 years of work paying Social Security taxes, in order to qualify for almost any type of Social Security benefits, including Medicare. We encourage our customers to create a my Social Security account. With a personal my Social Security account, you can get estimates of your retirement, disability, and survivors benefits, review your earnings record and much more.
      In April we celebrate “National Social Security Month“, see what you can do online at http://www.SocialSecurity.gov. Thanks!

    • Ray F.

      You may be able to get spouse’s retirement benefits if you are at least 62 years of age and your spouse is receiving retirement or disability benefits.
      See our Retirement Planner: Benefits for Your Family for more information.

  9. Jennie C.

    I am 70 years old, divorced, and receiving Social Security from my own work record. I am considering marriage to a man whose monthly Social Security earnings is much higher than mine. If we should marry, and if he should die before I do, would I benefit in any way from his Social Security earnings? Could I claim his earnings over mine after his death? And how long would we need to be married for me to benefit, if there is such a benefit? I have not been able to find the answer to this question, but people have told us that they think it is possible! Thanks!

  10. BRENDA M.

    MY HUSBAND AND I BOTH DRAW OUR SOCIAL SECURITY MINE BEING A LOT LARGER( I WAITED TIL FULL AGE TO DRAW AND I AM STILL WORKING)CAN MY HUSBAND DRAW OFF MINE AND ME STILL ALIVE AND DRAWING OR ONLY IF I PASS AWAY FIRST

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