Hi Tom,
I'm glad to see you're still working and I hope things all the way around are working well for you. You may find it helpful to call Social Security the number I use is 1-800-842-0588. Both my husband and I found that people we spoke to were very very helpful and answered our questions thoroughly.
I started receiving Social Security benefits October 2009 (retroactive from May 2007, 5 months after I stopped working) just before I turned 60. My husband turned 62 in July 2009. Our children are grown and out of the house. Since I was the breadwinner most of our lives my husband recieves benefits on my record and his also, so he began receiving Social Security benefits twice a month. One check is based on my earnings from social security disability and the other check is based on his earnings. His first one of the month comes on the 3rd Wed of the month based on my birthdate and his second one comes on the 4th Wed. based on his birthday. The total of the two checks would add up to 50% of my Social Security if he'd waited until he was age 65. We decided it was to our benefit to start taking them now. He does not get the full 50% because he took the benefits at age 62 as opposed to 65. However, it is also more money than we normally would've gotten because I am disabled. I think he will get the same if I die first or maybe more - I have to check. As you know, it turned out I have MMN and not ALS. He had cancer last year and has a cronic kidney disease.
I hope that is clear. As I said I think it's very helpful to talk directly to the Social Security people, and you can ask your questions specifically. Best wishes to you and yours. Sincerely, Peg