I hate writing columns that are critical of some of my former colleagues who are still working for the Social Security Administration. But doggone it, if they are going to keep handing out bad advice, someone’s got to take them to task—and give the right answers to people who are seeking help about their Social Security situation. Here are some recent emails I’ve received from my readers.
Q: I waited until I was 70 to start my benefits. My Social Security check is $3,600 per month. My wife is about to turn 62. She is due much less from Social Security—$2,200 if she waits until her full retirement age or about $1,600 if she files now. We called the SSA national number to talk about this. The phone rep told us that if my wife filed for reduced retirement benefits now, her future widow’s benefits will also be reduced, so we decided not to have my wife file now. But I read something in one of your columns that seemed to contradict what we were told. Can you help us out?…