Hi Larry: I understand you can file retroactively but there have been watch outs posted about the SS Administration retroing the applicant for 6 months costing them benefits.
In my case I would like to apply for age 70 benefits retro to September in late December. I am currently on my wife's record; I filed a restricted application previously and am presently taking spousal benefits. She will be filing for spousal benefits (retroactively the same time I file).
I feel retro filing keeps Medicare a bit cleaner; by not changing Medicare numbers in the middle of the year, instead starting out the new year on my SS number (both of us will be on my record at that point; this changing the Medicare Numbers to mine from hers.
Do you have any advice/watch-outs when we are filing retro-actively?

Thank you.

Hi,

Just so you know, since your wife is entitled to benefits on her own record, her Medicare number will remain under her own Social Security number even if she eventually qualifies for additional spousal benefits from your record.

I don't think the switching of Medicare numbers is much of a concern, but it should work fine if you want to wait until December to file with an entitlement date of September. When you file your claim, just tell the Social Security rep that you want retroactivity back to September (assuming that's the month you turn age 70) and no further back than that. As long as your wife will be at least age 66 by September, she can also file for her spousal benefits in December and elect September as her month of entitlement.

Best, Jerry