I applied for SS. My husband will do the restricted spousal benefit until he is 70. I will continue to work (I am 64) and will try to knock out some my lower earning years and hopefully increase my benefits. How in the world does SS keep track of all these different scenarios that I read about in your column- and upgrade your benefits as they occur??

Hi,

In a word, computers. Most calculations and recomputations are automated now, which makes things much easier.

By the way, until you reach your full retirement age (FRA) at 66, the Social Security earnings test (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/whileworking2.html) applies to both your benefits and your husband's spousal benefits. So, you may increase your future benefit rates by continuing to work, but it could also limit the benefits you can receive prior to FRA.

Best, Jerry