I'd like to model reductions in future SS benefits but the program will not accept reductions greater than 50%. Is this by design?
James

How do I get the social security benefits to increase each year at the rate of inflation?

I've been a steady user for the past 5 years and just renewed my subscription of ESP Plus. Comparing outputs after the upgrade to 37.2 for 35.2, I seem to have lost a considerable amount of SS benefits (from 34,636 down to 33,382). I don't recall any change to SS that would account for this change. I had already rolled forward to the new year and entered in the appropriate EOY numbers for my accounts. I made no changes to the file with the exception of updating Mutual Fund returns for 2017 (VTSAX, VBTLX, VTIAX). Then I just ran it.

I'm 71 and receiving SS since I was 66; my wife is 66. She just filed and suspended (until 70). She is receiving the spousal benefit in the meantime, but I can't get ESPlanner to recognize that. How do I enter the data? I have pasted all the past earnings into ESP, fyi.

I am now 60, my wife is 59. We do not plan to take social security until we are each 70. Next to my retirement file date (2/1/27) ESPlanner shows a negative number (-29) and next to hers (-32). The same negative numbers are next to our spousal file dates and widow/widowers dates on the social security report page.

How should I interpret these numbers?

My spouse is 69 and I am 67. I am currently getting spousal benefits and will get my increased benefit when I am 70. My spouse will get his benefit when he turns 70 this year. I put in my current monthly benefit and checked that I have filed for benefits but it did not include those benefits. I also left that out and told it to include the suspension, but didn't get any spousal benefits. How can I tell the software to include my spousal benefit? (I have uploaded both of our historical earnings) Thank you.

To ESPlanner programmers: I have a child in care benefits situation for a lady that is younger than any age available on your Social Security tab for accepting social security benefits. Please add that situation to your programming "to do's". Currently I am entering the annual amount as "Special Receipts". Is that the best way to enter the amount currently?

I do not want to lift my credit freeze to access my SS file but have the data entered into Maximize SS. Can I create a log file to copy and past into ESPlaner?

Is there a new 2017 release planned that contains new social security benefits, medicare costs etc?

Much thx

Bill

We were grandfathered under the new rules. My wife filed and suspended (until her 70th birthday) her benefits by the end of 2015. I filed for a spousal benefit upon turning 66 in May 2016. I now receive a monthly payment. I will file for my benefits on my 70th birthday. I have tried many permutations but cannot discover how to input this properly. The reports omit any spousal benefit no matter what. What should I do?