Question: My husband has recently retired. I have spent my days working as a wife and mother and have worked in the home. So the only benefit I could get is one based on my husband’s work.

Even though I know I would get a reduced benefit as a wife, I want to start getting my benefits now instead of waiting until I can get the full benefit. How much is your benefit when you retire early? Thank you for your answer.

Answer: A spouse is first eligible for her (or his) benefits at age 62. The spouse can draw 50 percent of the worker’s benefit at her full retirement age. Of course, as you state, if you have not reached your full retirement age and start drawing your spouse’s benefits, those benefits are reduced.

The actual amount of the reduction is 25/36 of one percent (1/144) for each of the first 36 months that you are under your normal retirement age. For each month in excess of 36, your benefits are reduced by 5/12 of one percent (1/240) for each month in excess of the first 36.

If you are going to start drawing your spouse’s benefits 36 months before full retirement age, you would draw 37.5 percent of your benefit.

If you decide to take your benefits 24 months before your normal retirement age, here is how much you would draw. If your husband’s benefit is $1,000, the spouse’s benefit is $500 at your full retirement age. But, at 24 months before your normal retirement age, your spouse’s benefit will be reduced by $83.40 for a monthly check of $416.60.

Dear Judy: I wonder if you can tell us when you are allowed to switch a Medicare drug plan. If we sign up for one plan but find out a different plan would be better for our needs, what do we do?

Answer: Medicare officials advise that you can join, switch or droop a Medicare drug plan:

• When you first become eligible for Medicare — three months before you reach age 65 to three months after the month you reach 65.

• From Nov. 15 until Dec. 31 of each year and coverage will start on January first of the following year.

• If you qualify for extra help, i.e. those who have Medicare and Medicaid; belong to a Medicare Savings Program; get Supplemental Security Income — SSI — benefits, but not Medicaid, you are allowed to change at any time.

• You may be able to change at other times, if you move out of the service area of your plan or live in an institution.

I would advise that you double-check with Medicare advisors at 1-800-Medicare to ensure that you do not attempt to change your coverage without knowing the rules and end up without this extremely important coverage.

Send your questions to judybenge@bellsouth.net.