Social Security

[Margoriedel]

 I am almost 64 and so is my husband. He started drawing early retirement this past year. I am still working and am planning on waiting as long as possible to draw mine and mine is going to be significantly more than my husband's. I am so confused about a few things. Will him drawing early negatively impact what I will draw once I apply? Second, could he be drawing off mine since it's going to be a lot more than his? Third, someone told me I might be able to be drawing 50% of his now while I'm still working and then switch to mine when I get older. I would call to speak to someone at the SS office but it's about impossible to get through to someone. If anyone could offer any help, that would be great!

[GailL1]

Social Security has (3) programs:

• Retirement which also covers Spousal benefits
• Survivors Benefits 
• Social Security Disability Benefits

We are only talking about Retirement benefits here - including Spousal benefits.

@Margoriedel asked:  [my replies are in bold type]

(1) Will him drawing early negatively impact what I will draw once I apply?

Not at all. 

(2)  Second, could he be drawing off mine since it's going to be a lot more than his?

If you two are still married - then he cannot file for any Spousal benefits until you have retired.  

However, he can draw his own benefits now at a reduced amount because he is filing to get them early - and then when you retire, and he want to see if the spousal benefit he gets from you is higher, he can and then get the higher benefit -  but whichever higher benefit he gets, is still gonna be reduced because he is filing for his Retirement benefits early and both of these are in the Retirement category and that decision to start early follows him to any other Retirement benefit which he may be eligible.

(3) Third, someone told me I might be able to be drawing 50% of his now while I'm still working and then switch to mine when I get older.

Probably not if you are the higher benefit earner because when you decide to retire then your Retirement benefit will be checked against ANY Retirement benefit to which you are eligible and then you get the higher benefit amount.

The same rule applies to your husband - he has to file for all the Retirement benefits to which he has any claim - but his is the only one to which he has a claim now because you are not yet retired; thus he has not claim on spousal benefits right now because you have not retired.  But when you retire, he will then be eligible to see if his spousal benefits (reduced because he filed early) will be higher than his own that he is currently receiving and if so , he can switch to a reduced spousal benefit .

OK ?    

[ChristinaC777416]

Last fall, during a phone call to the then-fully-functional SSA office, I expressed frustration about signing onto the site. The representative told me if that ever happens again, sign on in an INCOGNITO window and I would always be able to get into their site. SHHHHHH-it's STILL WORKING that INCOGNITO enables you to at least get to your account and submit paperwork/applications/etc. 

Lately we get that error message 24/7. Then we sign into SSA using an incognito window and it's like MAGIC!!!!

Hope this helps!

[GailL1]

@ChristinaC777416 

I am confused - what does your post have to do with the questions that @Margoriedel is asking about benefits?

I will agree that incognito does work- personally, I stay in private browsing ALL the time, nothing is remembered - not on OS or Windows.  Course, I have a lot more to keep up with but I would rather do that than the alternative.  

It is also my choice tool like @fffred.  

Plus it keeps my memory hopping; remembering all the sign ins and passwords.  I also have multiple emails.  

AND I never use the same password - ever.

[fffred]

I found this to be effective as well. It seems that the SSA site "cookies" that are stored in the browser become corrupted or cause other problems, preventing log in. One can delete all the cookies in the browser but that results in a pain in the neck since that affects all sites. Using an incognito window is my choice tool.

[Winter2025VA]

@fffred , so far "knock on wood" I have NEVER had any issues but nice to know about this work around IF I ever do. Take care, Nicole  👵

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[*** @fffred wrote 4/13/25:

I found this to be effective as well. It seems that the SSA site "cookies" that are stored in the browser become corrupted or cause other problems, preventing log in. One can delete all the cookies in the browser but that results in a pain in the neck since that affects all sites. Using an incognito window is my choice tool. ***]

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[Winter2025VA]

Wow Christina @ChristinaC777416 , I wonder WHY this is happening to you. Well, glad you found a "work around". Take care, Nicole  👵

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[*** @ChristinaC777416 wrote 4/13/25:

Last fall, during a phone call to the then-fully-functional SSA office, I expressed frustration about signing onto the site. The representative told me if that ever happens again, sign on in an INCOGNITO window and I would always be able to get into their site. SHHHHHH-it's STILL WORKING that INCOGNITO enables you to at least get to your account and submit paperwork/applications/etc. 

Lately we get that error message 24/7. Then we sign into SSA using an incognito window and it's like MAGIC!!!!

Hope this helps! ***]

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