Ask Liz Weston

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Social Security

Q&A: Waiting to apply for retirement benefit or not

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Dear Liz: I am recently divorced but was married for 20 years. My ex is 12 years older and he waited until 70 to start collecting Social Security benefits. I am 62 and self-employed. My retirement benefit is greater than half of his (but not by much). It is my understanding that after his death I can collect his full benefit, provided I am at least 67 when I apply, even if I start taking my own benefit now at 62. Is that correct?

Answer: Yes, but he could live a long time. Starting your own benefit now means you’ll get much smaller checks for years, perhaps even decades, compared with what you’d get by waiting. Plus, any benefit you take before your full retirement age would be subject to the earnings test, with $1 withheld for every $2 you make over a certain amount ($22,320 in 2024).

You may not have much choice, but if you do, waiting to apply is usually the best option.

Q&A: To qualify for Social Security survivor benefits

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Dear Liz: I am 85 and have been living (unmarried) with a man since about 1977. We have always filed our tax returns separately and now we both collect Social Security. I have been told that when one of us passes, the other cannot collect the deceased one’s benefits. We have been thinking about getting married and would like to know if there is a time regulation involved.

Answer: You generally must be married for at least nine months to qualify for Social Security survivor benefits. Keep in mind that the survivor will collect only the larger of a couple’s two checks; the smaller benefit goes away.

So marriage could benefit the lower earner financially, and give the higher earner peace of mind, knowing that their lower-earning partner will have access to the larger benefit. Marriage has a number of other financial and legal benefits, including the ability to make decisions for your spouse should they become incapacitated.

Marriage would end your ability to collect a divorced spousal benefit from a previous spouse, however. If either of you have been married before and the marriage lasted at least 10 years, investigate whether you might qualify for a larger benefit based on that partner’s work record. If the previous spouse has passed, you may qualify for a divorced survivor benefit. Unlike divorced spousal benefits, divorced survivor benefits don’t end at remarriage as long as you’re 60 or older when you remarry.

Q&A: When should a second earner start taking social security?

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Dear Liz: I am 64 and still working and earning decent pay. My wife is 61 and retired. I have been a high earner for most of my life while she was working and raising our family. I don’t plan to retire anytime soon. Is it a good idea for her to start taking Social Security at 62?

Answer: The vast majority of people are better off delaying their Social Security applications for as long as possible so they can maximize their lifetime benefits. It’s especially important for you to delay, since as the higher earner, your benefit will determine what the survivor gets.

Your wife, however, may be one of the few who is better off starting early. That may be the case if you continue to delay your application, and her eventual spousal benefit is more than what she would receive on her own record.

If both of those things are true, she could start her own reduced retirement benefit at 62, then switch to a spousal benefit of up to half of your check after you apply for your benefits — preferably at age 70, when they max out.

Your wife won’t be able to get a spousal benefit until you apply for your own. On the other hand, she won’t be allowed to switch benefits if you’re already receiving yours when she applies.

Clearly, there are a lot of rules involved, and the best course for you two will depend on the specifics of your situation. You’d be smart to use a Social Security claiming site, such as Maximize My Social Security or Social Security Solutions, to help you determine your best approach.

Q&A: Can an adult child inherit a deceased parent’s Social Security payments and pension?

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Dear Liz: My mom passed away recently. She had a teacher’s pension as well as Social Security benefits. Am I eligible to receive part of her benefits? If so, what steps must I take?

Answer: Social Security survivor benefits are meant to help a deceased worker’s dependents. Dependents include spouses, minor children and disabled children, as long as the disability started before the child turned 22. If you qualify, contact Social Security at (800) 772-1213.

Similarly, pension survivor benefits are typically limited to spouses and dependent children. You may be eligible for a one-time death benefit, if your mother named you as her beneficiary. Contact the pension administrator for details.

Q&A: Taxes and Social Security

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Dear Liz: You wrote in a column about retirement plan distributions and the effect that those have on taxation of one’s Social Security benefits. Your example was if someone made over $44,000 in combined earnings then their benefits would be taxed at 85%. Does this apply if one waits until full retirement age to start drawing Social Security? My husband also will be required to start making required minimum distributions in 2023. Are those distributions taxed differently from the rest of our income, since we are both still working? Or does it matter whether we are working or not?

Answer: The taxation of Social Security is complicated and often misunderstood, but rest reassured that you won’t lose 85% of your benefits. If you have income in addition to Social Security — whether it’s from work, retirement plan distributions or other sources — then up to 85% of your benefit might be subject to tax at your ordinary income tax rate.

The earlier column mentioned that taxes on Social Security are based on your “combined income,” which is your adjusted gross income — the figure you report on Line 11 of your 1040 tax returns — plus any nontaxable interest and half your Social Security benefits. Single filers who have combined income between $25,000 and $34,000 may have to pay income tax on up to 50% of their benefits while those with combined income over $34,000 may pay tax on up to 85% of their benefits. Married couples filing jointly may have to pay income tax on up to 50% of benefits if their combined income is between $32,000 and $44,000. If their combined income is more than $44,000, they could owe tax on up to 85% of their benefits. You can read more about how Social Security benefits are taxed on the agency’s website.

Your benefits can be taxable regardless of when you start. However, researchers have found that many middle-income people pay less taxes overall if they delay Social Security and tap their retirement funds instead. You can read more about the “tax torpedo” on the Financial Planning Assn. website.

Your husband’s required minimum distributions will be taxed as income unless he made nondeductible contributions to those retirement plans. If he did make after-tax contributions, then a portion of his withdrawals would not be taxed. Most people got a tax break for all their contributions, however, which means all their withdrawals are taxable.

A tax pro can look over the specifics of your situation, help you estimate your tax bill and make sure you have sufficient withholding to avoid penalties.

This week’s money news

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 This week’s top story: Smart Money podcast on spring-cleaning, and paying off different types of debt. In other news: What could happen if Congress doesn’t make changes to Social Security by 2035, mortgage could be harder to get in a credit-tightening era, and 4 tips for a meaningful and successful retirement.

Smart Money Podcast: Spring-Cleaning, and Paying Off Different Types of Debt
This week’s episode starts with tips for financial spring-cleaning.

Will Social Security Run Out?
If Congress doesn’t make changes to Social Security by 2035, benefits may be reduced. Here’s what could happen next.

Mortgages Could Be Harder to Get in a Credit-Tightening Era
Mortgage rates are likely to rise in April because of persistent inflation and stricter lending.

4 Tips for a Meaningful and Successful Retirement
From planning your days to preparing for your health, financial planners and other experts weigh in on how to make the most of your retirement.