Taking Social Security Early Not Too Bad of an Idea?

[lily4]

Originally Posted by mathjak107

what was stated above pertains to survivor benefits .they work differently than regular ss.

for regular ss here you go , this is the percentage of the husbands full benefit a non working spouse would get . everything is based off of what the husbands full benefit would have been regardless of whether he filed early or not.

Thanks for your response to my question. So, the husband's full benefit is what he would have received at age 66 (full retirement age), which is about $2200. If I'm understanding correctly, the benefit for the wife at age 62 is 35% of $2200, not 35% of $1600 (the amount he started receiving at age 62). Is that correct?

[mathjak107]

yes you have it correct.

[lily4]

Originally Posted by mathjak107

yes you have it correct.

Thanks very much! It's nice to finally get a straight answer. The SSA website doesn't spell it out and I've tried a couple of times to get an answer from their reps with no success.

[mathjak107]

your welcome. i would not count on much from the ss office ,they really only know what is scripted to them . there are some very very good websites with real pro's weho for a fee will do very comprehensive work ups for you.

[Delahanty]

Notwithstanding the spousal schemes, er.... strategies, one can make out ahead taking SS benefits early.

They are, after all, simply hoping that a substantial number of people die between ages 62 and 70.

[Burkmere]

Originally Posted by oaktonite

Uh-huh. By the way, over here in reality-land where the population professionally prepares and analyses these sort of things, the word "data" is plural. It's just the outsiders and neophytes who manage to futz that up.

You mean "analyzes?" Over "here" that's how we spell it.

Be careful about casting the first stone. Sometimes it can make you feel foolish.