Bram
Recycles dryer sheets
- Joined
- Dec 16, 2006
- Messages
- 227
Dh & I are now both retired, both 65 & both receiving pensions, no SS yet. I turn 66 in April, he in July, 2013. We plan to hold off on my (larger) SS benefit until age 70.
Here is our "if possible" plan for next year as we both reach our full retirement age (FRA) of 66:
We'd originally only thought about doing Step 2, but then it occurred to me that we could get an extra ~ $3k by doing Step 1 first (for April, May, June)... IF that is possible & doesn't foul up Step 2. Is there a limit on how many times one can file/change in a year, or is this too much paperwork or hassle with the SS office to make it worthwhile?
I am not confident of the answer I would get from local SS office, who for example told me that neither of us could draw the other's SS as we each have our own. And the ss.gov web site says: If you are eligible for both your own retirement benefit and for benefits as a spouse, we will always pay you benefits based on your record first. If your benefit as a spouse is higher than your retirement benefit, you will receive a combination of benefits equaling the higher spouse's benefits. I can't seem to find anything written about an option to limit the spousal benefit to 1/2 of the other spouse's benefit (as opposed to a "combination" benefit).
So I thought I would ask the knowledgeable folks here, if our plan is in fact doable, then I would push for the "in the know" person @ SS early next year.
Here is our "if possible" plan for next year as we both reach our full retirement age (FRA) of 66:
Step 1: I file and suspend SS benefits for April; DH files for 1/2 my benefit to begin April.
- Step 2: A couple of months later, he files to begin his own full SS for July; I file for 1/2 his benefit to begin July & lasting hopefully until I am 70.
We'd originally only thought about doing Step 2, but then it occurred to me that we could get an extra ~ $3k by doing Step 1 first (for April, May, June)... IF that is possible & doesn't foul up Step 2. Is there a limit on how many times one can file/change in a year, or is this too much paperwork or hassle with the SS office to make it worthwhile?
I am not confident of the answer I would get from local SS office, who for example told me that neither of us could draw the other's SS as we each have our own. And the ss.gov web site says: If you are eligible for both your own retirement benefit and for benefits as a spouse, we will always pay you benefits based on your record first. If your benefit as a spouse is higher than your retirement benefit, you will receive a combination of benefits equaling the higher spouse's benefits. I can't seem to find anything written about an option to limit the spousal benefit to 1/2 of the other spouse's benefit (as opposed to a "combination" benefit).
So I thought I would ask the knowledgeable folks here, if our plan is in fact doable, then I would push for the "in the know" person @ SS early next year.