I use my regular two factor authentication to log into my SS account. My log in info…and then they send me a code to enter.
Won’t do it any different way.
I didn’t receive that email.
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I think I did receive it and it was legit. However, I never click links. I went to the site and saw the new message.
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It’s legit
There’s a new way of logging into all your .gov accounts.
I had to set this up when we applied for global entry.
Now all of my accounts are synced
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A my Social Security account is required now in order to do things online that might otherwise require you to visit an office in person. From the SS site:
Proving identity is only required when applying for cash benefits or to change direct deposit information. In-person verification of identity will only be required at a local Social Security office if unable to use Social Security’s online service with a personal my Social Security account. People receiving benefits also may change their banking information using automatic enrollment services with their bank without visiting a Social Security office. People receiving payment by paper checks must prove their identity before changing their mailing address.
Individuals will need to provide in-person identification for certain internet, phone, and paper claims, including claims filed by third parties.
Do I need to visit a Social Security office to prove my identity? It depends. You don’t need to visit Social Security to prove your identity if you use a personal my Social Security account to apply for cash benefits or to change direct deposit information.
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once I started receiving cash benefits, saw no need for snail mail. (plus, there is mail theft and extra paper to shred.). But, I do have an online account.
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I have tried to re-read through this thread, and I just keep getting more and more confused.
I will turn 62 next year, and dh will turn 63. He is still working full-time.
I was primarily a SAHM, so my own SS benefits are pretty low. Dh’s amounts at the 65/67/70 age marks are approximately 3.5 times the amounts of mine. Therefore, 50% of his payments is far higher than what my own earnings record will pay me.
What I am confused about is when this reduction from 50% to 35% on the spousal gets triggered. I’m trying to figure out if there is a negative to me down the road for taking my own piddling SS amount at age 62. It’s only around $800 per month. We don’t currently need the money.
I am also confused about the survivor benefit amount. We are going on the assumption that I will outlive dh. Is the survivor benefit to me always capped at his age 67 amount or would the survivor benefit to me be his age 70 amount if he waited to take his SS until 70?
We have not played with any of the calculators. Which, if any of them, accounts for trying to use SS as longevity, “insurance,” for a surviving spouse?
I recently saw a really good video on this. Now, if I could just figure out where I saw it. I’ll PM you if I find it!
https://opensocialsecurity.com/ This is a good calculator that breaks down the various benefit components.
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I would appreciate that!
There is information overload on this! Why must it be so complicated to figure out an optimization?!
I thought I read upthread that this doesn’t factor in all the nuances of these decisions. But, perhaps it’s a good place to start.
You can play with variables after inputting the basic formula. A lot will be driven by life expectancy and when you will need the cash from SSS vs other sources of income.
Okay, it spouted out a strategy, but I didn’t see anywhere to input life expectancies?
EDIT: never mind! I found it!
In a similar situation as yours, I took SS at 62 & H will take it at 70. Who knows how things may change with the SSA in next few years? We’re just working with the rules as they are now, and want to maximize benefits. Still need a crystal ball on how long each of you will live, so run different scenarios and go with what you are most comfortable with.
We didn’t figure SS in our needed retirement income as doom-and-gloom predictions of the system running out of money have been around for ages.
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I now collect 1/2 of what DH’s benefit was at his FRA. If he dies first, I will collect what he is collecting now. He didn’t collect until 70, so it’s a lot more per month.
We never really factored in my SS benefit.
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My SS will be quite a bit more than half H’s, so it’s not simple for us to decide when to take the money. We both want to wait until 70 to maximize our guaranteed monthly income as we age. We’ve seen the Open Social Security estimates, which say I should begin collecting now (I’m 65). My mom died at 75 & my dad was 83, so the tables tell me to collect now. But my FIL died at 93 & my MIL is about to turn 98. If I live that long, I want to have as much guaranteed income as possible to take care of my needs (being old can be very expensive). If I die before I break even, I figure I won’t know the difference, anyway.
We all have to do what we feel is best for us. There’s no right or wrong, and there’s no guarantee our choice will be the best - we just have to make an informed decision and go with it.
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Like @kelsmom my SS is about 75% of H’s. Our current plan is for H to collect in 2 years at 70 and I will collect at my full retirement age of 67.
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Mine is only 28.8% of dh’s
My mother got 1/2 of my father’s amount at 65. She was still working so at some point her own was more than 1/2 of his and she got that amount (100% of her own). When he died, she got 100% of his, which was higher than hers.
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Why?
My SS is about 10% of H’s pension. I took time off work to raise the kids. I only worked part time when I returned to work and worked for state govt for 9 years and they didn’t contribute to SS. My SS pays for Medicare B and groceries.
My kids had chronic illnesses and I was also diagnosed with s chronic illness when I was 42. We spent a lot of time with MD offices, unfortunately.
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