I am 67 and 3 months, my husband turns 70 in July 2022. We are waiting until July for him to file. I've started my own online application for benefits on my account, which apparently I should have done previously but did not because I knew that my spousal benefit on his account is going to be higher than my own benefit amount even if I waited until age 70 myself. The application requires information about one's spouse, does my filing my own application now (March 2022) somehow automatically trigger an application from my husband for spousal benefits on my account? Or does he have to file his own application for spousal benefits on my account? Likewise, do I file my own application for spousal benefits on his account in July, or does his filing his own application, including my information, automatically trigger an application from me for spousal benefits on his account? Very confused here!

Hi. No. Listing your husband on your application can create a protective filing date for him, but he'd need to file a separate application from yours. Assuming you're correct regarding your own benefit rate vs. your spousal rate, It sounds like you'd want to apply for your own benefits ASAP. You'd then almost certainly want to choose the maximum of 6 months of retroactive entitlement. Your husband will then almost certainly want to file a restricted application for spousal benefits only, also with the maximum of 6 months of retroactivity.

Your husband will then need to file a separate application for his own benefits, choosing the month he reaches age 70 as his month of election to start his own benefits. You'd then need to file a separate application for spousal benefits on your husband's account.

In other words, it sounds like 4 total applications will need to be filed, 2 each by you and your husband. Some of the applications could be filed online, but not all of them. You might want to try calling Social Security to see if you can make an appointment to apply by phone or in-person with a Social Security claims representative.

Please note that my answer is based only on what you've described in your question, and I actually don't have all of the facts required to be able to give you any firm advice. You and your husband should strongly consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to fully analyze all of your options so that you can confirm your best strategy for maximizing your benefits.

Best, Jerry