Originally Posted by
CrankyFranky
...
Another issue is that my wonderful wife will have to retire soon or else she will loose any of my accumulated SS benefits after I'm gone - she works in the school system and though she's technically not a teacher, she doesn't pay into SS due to the tax law viewing her as a teacher. It's a pretty screwy...
So for me, there are too many variables for me to formulate a clear plan.
Cranky, I'm thinking you and your wife would benefit greatly with a visit to a fee-only financial planner. Someone who knows retirement finances well. A couple hundred bucks, but you'll both come out ahead in the long run. Just make sure it is someone who is 'fee only', meaning that they are not going to try and sell you anything.