Larry,
I am 68 years old ( dob 3/2/1949)and have been collecting my full benefits since I turned 66. I will continue collecting and not "suspend". I am working part time in my business , which will be sold in about 2 weeks. My wife will turn 66 ( dob 6/15/1951) in June of 2017. She will be working full time until she is 70, and not collect SS until then.
Can she claim spousal benefits when she turns 66? We are very confused about this.I think it is called a Restricted Application ?
Thanks , Howard

Hi Howard,

Yes, since you are drawing your benefits, your wife can file just for spousal benefits at age 66, and then switch to her own record at age 70. The reason that she still has this option is because she was born prior to January 2 1954, and is thus not affected by the new law passed by Congress last year (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/deemedfaq.html).

What she needs to do to restrict her application to spousal benefits only is to make sure that her application contains a remark stating something like: 'I wish to restrict this application to spousal benefits only.', or 'I wish to restrict retirement benefits on my own record from the scope of this application.' If she files online, she will need to enter this remark herself. If she files by phone or in person, she should review her copy of the application to make sure it contains a similar remark.

Best, Jerry