COBRA, Social Security, Pension Deferral, Annuities: Q&A #2642

October 17, 2026

COBRA, Social Security, Pension Deferral, Annuities: Q&A #2642

Jim and Chris are joined by Tom Stivers for a couple questions on COBRA coverage for a younger spouse and Social Security survivor benefits and the RIB-LIM rule. Jim and Chris continue on without “Grasshopper” for a listener PSA following up on the Chip and Dale/Chippendale banter from a previous episode and questions on pension deferral past RMD age, insurer service after inheriting a 403(b), single premium deferred annuities (SPDAs), and the timing of annuity purchases as financial understanding declines with age.

(16:15) George follows up on a recent episode’s COBRA discussion, noting that a non-Medicare spouse is limited to 18 months of coverage when the qualifying event is retirement at 64.5.

(26:45) A listener asks for an explanation of the Retirement Insurance Benefit Limit (RIB-LIM) and wonders whether, after both spouses claimed at 62, a surviving spouse would receive the higher earner’s monthly benefit or something more.

(40:30) The guys receive a PSA following up on the Chip and Dale/Chippendale banter from a previous episode, explaining the history of the names and which came first.

(44:45) A pension recipient wonders whether a pension office is correct that the deferred portion of a pension held in a 401(a) can stay deferred past age 73 while RMDs begin, as a way to remain in the 24% tax bracket.

(57:45) Jim and Chris revisit an earlier question about a delayed 403(b) inheritance, as the follow-up asks why anyone would buy an annuity from an insurer that struggled to process a simple inheritance.

(1:13:30) Georgette wants to know whether a five-year, 4.4% single premium deferred annuity (SPDA) purchased with funds from an IRA was a good move and what to consider when it matures.

(1:26:15) A longtime DIYer asks whether waiting until a Minimum Dignity Floor™ shortage arrives to buy an annuity conflicts with the goal of the younger self protecting the older self.

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