Can I receive spousal benefits? I turned 65 in 12//2015. My spouse is retired, age 75 and receiving social security benefits. In April of 2016 I was told by social security I could not receive spousal benefits due to the laws passed in Nov 2015. I recently (Sept 2107) learned that I can receive spousal benefits by filing a restricted application. My goal is to continue working until age 70 and if allowed collect spousal benefits.

Hi,

Yes, if you aren't already drawing benefits on your own record it sounds like you could file a restricted application for spousal benefits only. You can only claim benefits retroactively for up to 6 months from the month that you apply, though, so you'll probably want to file as soon as possible. You could have started drawing the spousal benefits effective with the month you turned age 66, so if you were dissuaded from filing timely due to misinformation you received from a Social Security representative, you should probably ask Social Security if you can qualify for an earlier deemed filing date(https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0200204008).

Best, Jerry