Can I switch from survivors benefits to my own retirement benefit when I turn 70?
Full question: I am receiving survivors benefits from my deceased ex-husband. Am I able to start drawing mine when I turn 70? Hi there, Yes, you can start collecting your own retirement benefit at age 70 if the amount is greater than the survivor benefit you are collecting. Anyone eligible to collect more than one…
Read MoreCan my spouse collect their own retirement benefit at FRA and later switch to a higher spousal benefit once I begin collecting?
Full question: Is there any penalty if my spouse begins collecting their Social Security Benefit at FRA, while I wait to turn 70 and then apply for the spousal benefit (presuming 50% is larger than theirs)? Hello there, Yes, a retiree can collect their own retirement benefit at any time age 62 or later. Once…
Read MoreIf a spouse collects their own retirement benefit at 62, can they switch to a spousal benefit later?
Full question: Hello Martha and Happy Safe New Year. My wife turned 62 in Jan 2022 and is entitled to receive $644 if we elect to start then. Under Spousal benefits, she would receive $1,008 if I were receiving my benefits. I am turning 65 this July 2022 and haven’t filed to collect yet, waiting…
Read MoreCan I collect a spousal benefit at age 62 and then delay and switch to my own benefit at my full retirement age?
Hello, If you are eligible for more than one Social Security benefit, when you apply you will be “deemed to be filing” for all the benefits you are eligible to collect and you will receive the higher amount. This means that you cannot take one benefit and delay collecting the other. You will receive your…
Read MoreCan my current spouse and/or ex-spouse collect spousal Social Security benefits based on my record?
Full question: If I was married for 17 years and now I’ve remarried and my current marriage is in the 15th year, who can claim spousal Social Security benefits, my current spouse or my divorced spouse? And my current spouse is 64 and collecting social security at this time. Can he collect from mine if…
Read MoreCan my minor children collect Social Security benefits based on my ex-spouse’s earnings if he has not started collecting?
Full question: I meet all the qualifications to receive Social Security under my ex’s record. I plan on starting benefits at 62 because I have minor children. I can not figure out what the child benefit would be. 50% of my ex’s FRA will be $2000. I will have 2 minor children. If he has…
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