Re: Soc Sec Benefits Question


"jimstevens" <jimstevens@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:eikd821ns7219ka73haq6f68agmpgsej34@xxxxxxxxxx
On Wed, 07 Jun 2006 12:26:05 GMT, Rita <nitany_98@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

On Wed, 7 Jun 2006 07:08:57 -0500, "Harry Thompson" <me@xxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:


"Thumper" <jaylsmith@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:222c829d58ou41qs3qqca9kfdq7u0oo69d@xxxxxxxxxx
On Tue, 6 Jun 2006 16:52:51 -0500, "Harry Thompson" <me@xxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:


"Bob" <vrbobs@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1149621097.583738.205850@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I will be retiring next month at age 65. I will be getting $1.600.00
per month from Soc Sec. My wife, who is 62, will also start to take
Soc Sec at that time. She will be using my work history for her
earnings. We are wondering if she will get half of my benefits
($800.00), or since she is retiring at age 62, will there be a 20%
reduction in her Soc Sec payment ($600.00) TIA


This is from the SSA website. I think it answers your question:

"When you apply for reduced retirement benefits, we will check to see
if
you
are eligible for both your own retirement benefits and for benefits as
a
spouse. If you are eligible for both, we always pay your own benefits
first. If your benefits as a spouse are higher than your retirement
benefits, you will get a combination of benefits equaling the higher
spouse
benefit. If you choose to receive a reduced benefit before full
retirement
age, you are not entitled to the full spouse's benefit rate upon
reaching
full retirement age. A reduced benefit rate is payable for as long as
you
remain entitled to spouse's benefits."

In other words, your wife will get the higher benefit, whichever that
turns
out to be. The "you" here would be your wife.


She will take a reduced benefit as she is not at full retirement age.
Thumper

As I read it, she will get reduced benefits but the reduced benefits are
derived either from her own or her husband's, whichever is the higher.

It's confused wording all right.

Also, important to note in all the confusion, that the reduced
benefits continue even after one reaches age 65. Not just for
the period between ages 62 and 65.

To be sure can you clarify?

Assume wife begin drawing SS at 62 at her reduced rate on husband's
income. He does not draw yet.

Husband later dies.

Can wife draw SS at whatever his rate would have been at 65/66 or is
she stuck with lower rate since she began at 62???

We have a friend in these circumstances.

Thanks

She gets the husband's rate, figured at what the husband would have gotten.
This one is survivor's benefits.

==================================

For Bob's question, since none of us are certain and are interpreting
confusing wording, I'm recommending to Bob that he get in touch with Social
Security directly.

Bob, do the following:

At http://www.ssa.gov/ in the Question about box, select Benefits then click
go.

At the Answers page, click number 13. On the detail answer page, there is a
tab at the top, "Ask a question." Click that, fill in the form with your
question and submit.

Please let us know the answer.

Hap


.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Soc Sec Benefits Question
    ... My wife, who is 62, will also start to take ... "When you apply for reduced retirement benefits, we will check to see if ... If you choose to receive a reduced benefit before full ... age, you are not entitled to the full spouse's benefit rate upon reaching ...
    (soc.retirement)
  • Re: Soc Sec Benefits Question
    ... My wife, who is 62, will also start to take ... Soc Sec at that time. ... "When you apply for reduced retirement benefits, we will check to see if ... If you choose to receive a reduced benefit before full ...
    (soc.retirement)
  • Re: Soc Sec Benefits Question
    ... My wife, who is 62, will also start to ... , or since she is retiring at age 62, will there be a 20% ... "When you apply for reduced retirement benefits, ... If you choose to receive a reduced benefit before full ...
    (soc.retirement)
  • Re: Soc Sec Benefits Question
    ... My wife, who is 62, will also start to take ... , or since she is retiring at age 62, will there be a 20% ... "When you apply for reduced retirement benefits, ... If you choose to receive a reduced benefit before full ...
    (soc.retirement)
  • Re: Soc Sec Benefits Question
    ... My wife, who is 62, will also start to take ... "When you apply for reduced retirement benefits, we will check to see if ... If you choose to receive a reduced benefit before full ... age, you are not entitled to the full spouse's benefit rate upon reaching ...
    (soc.retirement)