Hi Larry,
My DOB: 4/29/52. My wife's DOB: 5/10/49.
We were fortunate to sneak under the wire regarding changes made by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 which allowed us to be grandfathered in and to pursue the claiming strategy I describe below.
At age 66 my wife "filed and suspended" on her RIB in order to establish a filing date and to earn DRCs on her earnings When she turned 70 she started receiving her maximum benefit.
At age 66 I submitted a "restricted application" for spousal benefits only and since then I've been collecting a monthly benefit based on 50% of what my wife's FRA benefit would have been.
I'll turn 70 in April 2022. I believe I have to apply for my benefit/RIB that's based on my earnings (it won't automatically kick in ) and I believe I can do this as far as four months before I want my benefit to start.
Is it required that I make this application in person at my local SSA office or can this be done online?
If it does require an in person SSA office visit, what is the current status on this given Covid restrictions?
Thanks!

Hi. All I can tell you is that nothing on Social Security's website indicates that you won't be able to apply for your own benefits online. And, you definitely will have to file an application in order to switch to drawing your own benefits. It isn't automatic because when you file a restricted application for spousal benefits you're restricting all other types of benefits, including your own Social Security retirement benefits, from the scope of your application.

If you go onto Social Security's website within 4 months of the month you reach age 70 and if for some reason you aren't able to apply for your benefits online then your only other current option would be to apply by phone. You can make an appointment to do so by calling Social Security at 800-772-1213.

Best, Jerry