I'm turning 67 next month and still weighing my Social Security options. Everything I've read suggests the higher-earning spouse should delay until 70 while the lower earner takes benefits at FRA. But here's my situation - my husband (68) and I keep our finances completely separate. Always have, always will. We each pay our own bills, have our own savings, and manage our own retirement funds. He started collecting his SS at 67 last year (about $2,850/mo), and I'm eligible for about $2,400/mo if I file now. But I'm wondering if the standard advice applies in our case since we don't pool our money? I have enough in savings and my 401k (about $390,000 total) to cover my expenses until 70, and we're both in excellent health with longevity in our families. Does it make financial sense for me to delay until 70 as well, even though we handle our finances separately? Would appreciate insights from others in similar situations!

I'm at my wit's end with this whole situation. For the past 14 months, I've been trying to get my 2016 earnings corrected on my Social Security record. My former employer was convicted of tax fraud (they withheld about $11.2 million meant for IRS and Social Security payments). I've made THREE separate trips to the local SSA office, and today on my fourth visit, the representative finally noticed something I missed - my Social Security number is completely wrong on my W-2 from that employer! How did I miss this? How did my expensive accountant miss this? How did the previous THREE SSA employees miss this?? I left a message with the HR department at that old company, but who knows if they'll even call back after all this time. At this point, I'm wondering if it's even worth the hassle. When I asked the rep today, she estimated fixing this might only increase my eventual monthly benefit by about $15. After all this time and frustration, is it even worth continuing to fight this battle? I feel like I'm taking crazy pills...

I just found out I might be eligible for survivor benefits after my ex-husband passed away last year. We were married for 18 years and divorced nearly 20 years ago. I never remarried. The SS agent I talked to mentioned I qualify for survivor benefits, but since I'm only 63 and still working (making good money), I'd lose most or all of it due to the earnings test. My FRA for survivor benefits is 66 and 10 months, and the agent suggested I should wait until then to collect survivor benefits, then switch to my own retirement benefit at 70 since mine will be higher. But now I'm confused because I saw someone mention you can collect PARTIAL survivor benefits earlier while still working? My survivor benefit would be around $2,450/month at my FRA, while my own benefit at 70 would be about $3,600. I'm planning to keep working until 70 anyway to maximize my retirement benefit. Am I missing something here? Should I be applying for some partial survivor benefit now despite working? Or is waiting until my FRA for survivor benefits, then switching to my own at 70 really the best strategy? Just want to make sure I'm making the right decision!

I'm trying to figure out if I'd be eligible for any Social Security survivor benefits if my husband passes away. He's been primarily a teacher for most of his career (about 18 years total), but there's a gap in his teaching history that has me confused about benefits. He taught for 15 years, then withdrew his pension contributions when he left the district. He worked in another state for 3 years where he paid into Social Security, then returned to teaching at his original district where he's now rebuilding his pension. I've been a stay-at-home mom for 18 years (kids are grown now), so I don't have much Social Security built up myself. Would I qualify for any survivor benefits based on those 3 years he paid into Social Security? Does the WEP or GPO affect survivor benefits in this situation? I'm completely lost trying to understand all these rules.

My SS planning is driving me crazy! I'm turning 62 next summer (July 2025) and trying to figure out my best option. I've been a stay-at-home parent for most of the last 15 years, so my own benefit at 62 will be pathetic - around $1,250/month based on my limited work history. My husband (59, turning 60 in December) has always been the primary earner and should qualify for maximum or near-maximum benefits at his full retirement age (67). From what I understand, if I claim at 62, I'd get my own benefit PLUS enough of his to equal 30% of his FRA amount (so about $1,500 more if he gets the max). Here's what's confusing me: If he decides to delay until 70 to maximize his benefits, would my spousal portion increase to 30% of his age-70 amount? Or would I still only get 30% of what his FRA amount would have been regardless of when he actually files? I'm trying to determine if we're better off with me filing early and him delaying, or if there's a better strategy. Any insight from folks who've navigated this spousal benefit maze would be so appreciated!