I know there are many people here retiring very early and not even counting on SS at all, but I've found there are a large number of us here that found MMM a bit later in life. In my case I'm only counting on SS to be mostly gravy, but I've worked a W-2 paying job since 16 and will have enough SS at retirement to at least live on what the MMM family does and want to maximize it like everything else in my life.
There are many different scenarios flying around about when to claim and file/suspend options etc. I'd like to hear some thoughts from MMM people on what they plan to do. I also have a very specific scenario that I don't seem to ever see an answer to that I'm hoping someone here can help with.
In my situation I'm the only working spouse, my wife qualifies for benefits, but it's peanuts. The issue we have is that she 5 years older so the typical file/suspend by me for her to claim spousal benefits doesn't really work. We can't be the only ones in this situation, but I have not seen anything in my online searches that addresses it. Everything I've found assumes that the higher earning spouse is older. Also can someone explain to me how to calculate if it would be worth it for us to have me claim at 62 instead of waiting until FRA which for me would be 67? There has to be a way to figure that out. Originally we were thinking that she would file early since the amount is very small, but now I'm wondering if it would be better for me to instead and then she can get the higher spousal amount.
Appreciate any help and THANKS!