My wife is currently getting her benefits under the "file and suspend" program. She recently turned 70 and we want to apply for her full benefits. How do we do that? Thanks for your help.

Hi. I assume you mean that your wife previously applied for her benefits, but then voluntarily suspended them. If that's the case, Social Security should automatically reinstate your wife's benefits now that she's reached age 70. Note than Social Security pays benefits a month behind, so if your wife's benefits were suspended then her first reinstated payment wouldn't be delivered until the month after the month in which she turned age 70. If your wife's benefits don't get reinstated automatically, she'll need to call Social Security to resolve the problem.

However, if your wife hasn't already applied for benefits then she'd need to do that before she could be paid any benefits. In that case your wife could potentially apply for benefits online (https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/), or call Social Security to make an appointment to apply by phone or in person. Again, though, no new application would be required if your wife previously applied for and was approved for benefits, but then suspended her benefits.

Best, Jerry