Dear Larry,

I am about reach age 66 and have filled out the application online to file online for spousal benefits, delaying my own until age 70. I have read Get What's Yours so I'm nervous about signing and completing the application for fear they will use some retroactive date. Should I say something in the remarks section about the date I want to start my benefits? Thanks, JR

Dear JR,

As far as I know, you cannot file online just for a spousal benefit. You will, I believe, need to go into your local office and file there. And yes, you need to state in the Remarks section of the form you file that you are restricting your application solely to your spousal benefit and you will not be collecting your own retirement benefit until age 70. I presume that a) you are divorced after having been married for 10 years and that your ex is at least 62 and that you have been divorced for at least two year or your ex has filed for his/her retirement benefit or b) you are married and your spouse is current collecting a spousal benefit or suspended his/her retirement benefit before or on the April 29, 2016 deadline. Otherwise, you can't file just for a spousal benefit.

If the person filling out the paper work won't let you fill out the Remarks section yourself, demand to see what she/he writes in that section and make sure it's what I just said needs to be there.

Please tape record all you conversations with Social Security whether on the phone or in person. This way you will have proof of what you requested if they make a mistake, which is occurring on a routine basis these days.

best, Larry