Q: Mr. S writes: “I intend to wait until 70 to begin drawing Social Security retirement. If my wife waits until 66, will she get up to half of my age 70 amount or half of my age 66 amount?”
A: Your current spouse cannot receive spouse’s benefits until you file for retirement benefits. Once you file, she would be eligible to receive up to 50 percent of your full retirement age benefits, depending on her age when she files on your record. Full retirement age is different depending on the year in which you were born. For someone born between 1943 to 1954, the full retirement age is 66. However, if you are full retirement age, you can apply for retirement benefits and then request to have payments suspended. That way, your spouse can receive a spouse’s benefit and you can earn delayed retirement credits until age 70.
Q: Mrs. R asks: “The Social Security card of my husband was lost sometime recently. Would like to know what steps we should take to replace it. Thank you.”
A: To apply for a replacement Social Security card you must prove your identity. Your U.S. driver’s license, U.S. state-issued nondriver identity card or a U.S. passport are valid documents for proof of identity. If you were born outside the U.S., you also will need to prove your U.S. citizenship or current lawful work-authorization immigration status.
Note: Please bring your original documents or certified copies of these documents. We cannot accept uncertified photocopies or notarized copies of documents submitted as proof.
Q: “How should I decide when to start receiving my Social Security retirement benefits?”
A: The decision regarding when to start receiving retirement benefits is highly personal and depends on a number of factors, such as your current cash needs, your health and family longevity, whether you plan to work in retirement, and the amount of your future Social Security benefit. You may start receiving benefits as early as age 62. However, if you start benefits early — before your “full retirement age” — your benefits are reduced for each month before your full retirement age. For help in making your decision, as well as all the factors to consider, read our publication When To Start Receiving Retirement Benefits at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10147.html.
Get answers to your Social Security questions each Thursday from the Social Security District Director Martin Coffey. Submit questions by writing to Business Editor John Vass Jr., Chattanooga Times Free Press, P.O. Box 1447, Chattanooga, TN 37401-1447, or by e-mailing him at jvass@timesfreepress.com.