A reader from Colorado asks for clarification on a couple of questions regarding the effects of the Government Pension Offset (GPO) on Social Security benefits.   “I retired in May 2022 and am now 66. I do not have enough Social Security credits to qualify for my own benefit, but my wife (age 70) does. Two questions regarding the Government Pension Offset (GPO): First, as a long-time local government employee, I have a 401(a) account and a 457 account. Neither account has a defined benefit (or typical monthly payment) because they are both defined contribution plans. Do both factor into c ..read more

A reader from Georgia is looking for clarification on the maximum taxable earnings regarding her husband's Social Security Statement. "My spousal benefit will be higher than my own, so I looked at my husband's most recent Social Security Statement to get an idea of what I might expect. We both turn 62 this year. My husband is unsure when he will retire but will wait until he is 70 to file for benefits. He earns above the income limit taxed for Social Security and currently has 27 years above this limit, although he has low earning years due to education and medical training. I don't understand ..read more

A reader from Texas looks for clarity on how to calculate a Social Security spousal offset given their situation.   "My wife is about five years younger than me. What would be the optimal Social Security claiming strategy for us: If we start my wife's small retirement benefit (PIA $724) at 62, then have her switch to the spousal benefit at 65 when I claim my retirement benefit (PIA $3376) at 70? Or if we both start claiming when I'm 70, with my wife claiming her own and the spousal when she's 65? You have discussed 'spousal offset,' but I am not sure how it is calculated. If she claims he ..read more

A reader from Washington wonders if stock options should be counted toward earnings when considering Social Security.   “My husband retired in 2015, started Social Security benefits in 2020, and exercised some stock options in 2021 and 2022. We were surprised stock options would count as earnings in 2021 and 2022 as they were part of his compensation package in 2011 and 2012. Can you please confirm if these stock options should be considered earnings in the year exercised and thus cause overpayment of his Social Security benefits in 2022 and 2023?”   Since you mentioned “overpayment ..read more

A reader from Mississippi asks if his wife will have to pay back her Social Security benefit after returning to work.   "My wife retired in January 2023 and started receiving her Social Security retirement benefit in March 2023, when she turned 62. She returned to work in November 2023 and will earn more than $1,770 in November and December. We spoke to a Social Security representative tonight to report she was working and were essentially told not to worry about it because she was in her "grace year" through February 2024. Based on what I have read, this didn't make sense. Please enlight ..read more

A reader from the State of Washington asks about the best strategy for maximizing his wife’s Social Security survivor benefits. “I am interested in finding out when my wife should claim her Social Security benefits. I have the largest retirement benefit by far, and I plan to claim it in July 2024, when I turn 70. She is close to nine years my junior. I had initially thought she should take her retirement benefit at age 62 to help pay for her health insurance premiums through the ACA until she qualifies for Medicare at 65. Am I correct in saying that if she draws her retirement benefit at 62, s ..read more

A reader from Colorado looks for clarification on the law regarding voluntary suspension of benefits. "I read the article "Delaying Your Own Social Security Benefit While Claiming A Survivor Benefit" on your website, written by Mr. Chris Stein. I just ran into a similar problem. I reached FRA, and I tried to suspend my retirement benefit so I could apply for the survivor benefit, but the Social Security Administration said I couldn't. According to them, the law regarding the Voluntary Suspension of Benefits changed. For requests submitted on or after April 30, 2016, you can still voluntarily s ..read more

A reader from Michigan asks for the best free and paid Social Security claiming optimization tools. "Over the years, you have referenced resources for Social Security claiming analysis tools. What are the best free and paid tools you have used to provide analysis on claiming strategies? What advanced/professional tools do you use in your planning practice with clients?" We have many do-it-yourselfers among our readers. Hopefully, they realize that the official estimate you receive of your Social Security benefits may or may not be accurate for your particular circumstances. The reason is that ..read more

A reader from Washington seeks clarification on claiming a Social Security survivor benefit and the timing of claiming her own benefit. "My husband passed away in September 2020. At that time, his Social Security income, which he claimed at age 62, was $1,285 monthly. My birth date is 4/7/1962. My earned income next year from a part-time job will be $28,000 yearly. Question 1 - I will claim my own benefit at 70 because mine is bigger than my husband's. However, I'd like to claim the survivor benefit in 2024. What will my benefit be? Question 2 - I will continue earning the same income for the ..read more

A reader from Texas looks for clarification on the rules surrounding the Social Security earnings limit for self-employed people. "My question is about the "earnings limit" for self-employed people. I'm retired at age 66 and will wait until 70 to collect my Social Security. My wife will be 62 in 2023 and is still working as a self-employed worker. After much analysis and discussion with our financial advisor, we have decided to turn on her Social Security benefits starting in early 2024. Her "net" self-employment income may go a bit over the earnings limit depending on the year. I am familiar ..read more