Hi, I hope you can help
I've been collecting D.I.B. since 2007. In November I will turn 66 and will be switched to R.I.B.. Is it possible to withdraw my R.I.B. and apply for Spousal Benefits under my Husband's account? He is 67 and has been collecting his R.I.B. since August 2017. Half of his benefit will be less than my R.I.B.. I was hoping to defer my R.I.B. until I turn 70.
If I do this, will I have to pay back all the Disability benefits I've received since 2007?
I cant seem to get anyone at Social Security, either at my local branch or the 800 Number who really knows the answer. I've been told several things that I know are not true, so this leads me to distrusted the other things they tell me.
Help!! Please
Thank You
Victoria

Hi Victoria,

Unfortunately, the only way that you could withdraw your conversion to retirement benefits which will happen at your full retirement age (FRA) would be to withdraw your disability claim and repay all of the disability benefits you've received. This is due to a change that Social Security made in December 2014, which is explained in the following article that Larry wrote shortly after the change was made: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/social-securitys-christmas-present-b....

It would almost certainly be disadvantageous for you to repay all of the benefits you've received so that you could draw spousal benefits while allowing your own benefit rate to grow until age 70. However, even if you don't withdraw your disability claim you could voluntarily suspend your benefits when they convert to retirement benefits at FRA. You could then resume your benefits at age 70 at which time your benefit rate would be 32% higher as a result of the delayed retirement credits that you would earn. But, you would not be able to draw spousal benefits while your own benefits are suspended.

Best, Jerry