Social Security Report

Recent Quotes

“My husband of 25 years started drawing his reduced Social Security benefits 10 years ago at the age of 62. Is there a spousal benefit for which I am eligible? I am 65, and we are thinking about my filing for spousal benefits at 66 and deferring my own Social Security until 70. Since he is on reduced benefits for taking it early, would my spousal benefit be based on his current benefit amount or what he would have received if he had waited until 65?”

Answer:  If you wait until 66 to file, you’ll be, as you correctly understand, able to apply just for your own spousal benefit while letting your own retirement benefit grow by 32 percent through age 70. In this case, your spousal…

Popular Questions

• Is it possible to benefit from a previous spouse’s Social Security if I married and divorced again?
• I receive my Social Security retirement on the fourth Wednesday of each month. The fourth Wednesday of December happens to be Christmas Day. When will I receive my benefit this month?
• I am a FERS employee and may have to postpone my retirement without suffering the age penalty. I am over 59 with 28 years of service. If I postpone my retirement until age 60 and do not carry the optional insurance that I will have to pay for plus 2 percent, would I still be eligible to restart my Blue Cross/Blue Shield coverage once my retirement begins. It will be almost six months that I will not have coverage. I have been enrolled in an insurance plan throughout my entire career. Also, if I am given separation papers involuntarily because of a transfer of function, could I resign and take an immediate retirement before 60 without penalty and also be eligible for the special retirement supplement?
• I have been on Federal Employees Health Benefits Medicare supplementary coverage with Aetna Consumer Plan for several years, covering my under-65 wife with a family plan. She turned 65 in September and chose a Medicare Advantage plan for herself. At open season in November, can I then revert to single status when I go on with the Aetna plan for myself?
• When my spouse becomes eligible for Medicare (six years before me), how does my federal health insurance work in regard to his medical bills? Will Social Security be primary and my insurance pick up the difference in full?