Tips on Social Security Claiming Strategies

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I am drawing my SS benefit and spouse is also drawing on my account. I am 74 years and wife is 69 years. We are fortunate to have accumulated enough savings to be able to live on the income from investments for a while, if we so choose. The question I have is in regard to voluntaryly suspending our benefits for a period of time and how to go about it. I think that there must be a fairly great number of others who could do the same without any great sacrifice. I would consider joining in a movement to do so if convinced that it would help to insure that the SS program would continue and that the congress is making a good faith effort to make needed adjustments to the program.

kester strange of LA 5:58PM May 15, 2011

I started drawing ss at 62. The day that I was at the ss office, as I was leaving, the office worker told me to come back when I was 65 and I could draw more. I told her that I was going to continue working,but only part time ( draw less money ). I asked her how I could get a raise at 65 when I was making less money than before. She said I could draw off my husband. I said how can I do this when he is drawing off himself now? She told me to just come back when I was 65?
I will be 65 in 3 mos. Is this true?

Joy of NC 8:27AM May 11, 2011

My wife will be 62 in a couple of months, is retired, and earned significantly less than I. [Would receive ~ $650 now vs. $870 at age 66.] I continue to work [maxed out on 'contributions' almost every year] and will be 63 in a couple of months. I plan on working and not claiming SS until at least age 66. Is it best for her to start collecting benefits now? Or wait until she is 66?

Mike Clark of UT 10:33AM September 22, 2010

Suggest gradually raising the retirement age limit to 70yrs ( people living longer) gradually increasing the maximum salary by 2% a year up to $250,000(rich making more), not giving benefits to people with a million dollars or more in other annual income ( they do not need it) ,and penalizing spouses that never worked nor paid into the system. If you want 1/2 of your spouses social security that means 150% draw per couple. That will bankrupt the system quickly if both live a long time - suggest reducing principals benefit to 75% if spouse gets 50% or giving spouse only 25% (this is really free money for not contributing anything)
Also do not send money out of the coutry or to mail box drops in Texas or California. Make residency a requirement. You made the money here in the USA so you should have to spend it here to.

D Knock of MO 4:52PM September 16, 2010

Single at 60 I would start drawing at age 62 because if you wait until you are 67 or whatever age you can collect you will be losing 8-9000.00 plus your playing will I live that long game and miss out all together, also you can draw off your ex husband for a higher amount if you were married to him 10yrs or more. hope this helps.

gloria kiefer of TN 7:25PM September 08, 2010

I'm divorced. My ex-husband remarried. I have worked since I was 14 years old. I am now currently unemployed (have been for almost 2 years) I have type 2 diabetes (does this mean anything?) I don't see a "real job" happening in my future and need to know if claiming Social Security at the earliest is wise. As I'm not working, does it make any difference?

Jean of MN 8:14PM July 10, 2010

my sister was the person who was in charge of my mother, she past away last two year, my sister works for so many years. I can not help my mother with money because of the situation and the money I make is only for my own living my mother know is 75 years old. do you think she can get chek from s.s. check with the money my sister never colected from s.s. admon.?

hilda gama of CA 3:16AM June 06, 2010

I am 6 years older than my husband, so if I want to retire and draw benefits at age 62 and my husband is still working can I still draw off of his ss, even if he is still working?

Cindy Higgenbotham of MO 1:25PM April 13, 2010

I want to get my Social Seurity at the age of 62. I am a diabetes, type II. What will be my chances in getting my SS at this age. Also my husband left and will I be entitled to some of his SS. I do not know his location at present time. How can I determine what I will be getting at age 62.

Yollie of SC 3:45PM April 07, 2010

At the age of 49 I am having my 6th back surgery. I also have degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis. I can no longer perform my job of truckdriving. I have applied for ss disability and after about 3 months I have not heard a decision. Do you think I will qualify?

Ken of OR 9:23PM March 03, 2010