We have been married 40 years. A few years ago my wife started showing signs of dementia, then Alzheimer's. My career involved a fair amount of travel. When I tried to cut back on travel to care for my wife, I was let go after more than 30 years in industry. We have been living off our savings, but they are almost gone now. Is it possible to collect my full social security so I can care for her?
I looked your suggestion up after reading DSGs post. I was thinking that Congress had shut that practice down of filing on spouses SS and then filing on your own at 70.
It was grandfathered in for folks born before Jan 1,1954. Since DSG is 63, he must have been born in 1955. So he was a little too young to qualify.
Here is an article from AARP that discusses it.
www.aarp.org/retirement/social-security/info-2016/social-security-final-word-on-file-and-suspend.html
You stated "My career involved a fair amount of travel. When I tried to cut back on travel to care for my wife, I was let go after more than 30 years in industry." I am sorry to hear that your company let you go. Are you going to look for a part-time job or stay at home 24 hours/7 days a week to care for your wife? Are you receiving health insurance via COBRA?
I am limited in regards to the type of work that I can do because of my disabilities. So I talked to a few CPAs and Insurance agents about my situation. My Mom is in a nursing home and her income is paying for the nursing home. (She is Private Pay as we own 2 farms.) I am having to use my retirement funds to pay everyday expenses & utilities that Mom used to pay before she went into the nursing home in May 2017 because she and I had been "roommates" (AKA we lived together) since 2008. The consensus of the CPAs and Insurance Agents was that in my situation that it was better to receive 75% of my Social Security NOW. Currently I do not have any income so I do NOT qualify for the "Affordable Care Act" Marketplace Health Insurance benefits. Because Social Security is considered "Income", I will qualify for "Affordable Care Act" Health Insurance. (A savings of over $1,000/month for me once I receive SS.) Also, a couple of CPAs told me that the 25% difference really doesn't mean much unless you live for 20-25+ years (age 82--85+). So I might as well receive Social Security now and not have to use as much of my retirement fund to pay for utilities and health insurance.
If your wife worked, then she should be entitled to some Social Security benefits. After a spouse dies, the highest Social Security benefits is what will be paid to the surviving spouse.
The other people have given you some good information. Definitely look at www.ssa.gov website. I hope that our information will be helpful to you. Please let us know if you have any more questions or concerns or if you only want to "VENT" your emotions. God Bless!
Here is more information: https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/1943.html
Does your wife receive Social Security? You might want to check with Medicaid [which is different from Medicare] to see if your State has any programs to help you with the caregiving.