Dear Rusty: I will be 65 this year and my husband is 72 (he retired in 2019 at age 66). I would like to retire and enjoy some time with him before he gets too much older. I do not want to have my benefits cut by retiring earlier, but I don’t see a way to be able to do that.

My benefit will be $1,343 on my full retirement age (FRA). If I took half his retirement when he retired, it would be less than mine. If I take early retirement and he passes away before me, would I get his full benefit as his survivor, or will it be cut? We are trying to figure it out. His current benefit (before Medicare Part B) is $2,978. It’s very confusing.

Signed: Confused and Wondering

Dear Confused: Whenever any Social Security benefit is claimed earlier than full retirement age (FRA), the monthly amount is p

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