BACKSTORY: Husband reached FRA Nov 29 2015--filed and suspended benefits. Wife will reach FRA Nov 2 2017--intends to file a restricted application for spousal benefits.
QUESTION 1: If husband take full benefits at age 70, can wife continue to receive spousal benefit until she reaches age 70, then switch to her own benefits?

MORE BACKSTORY: Husband and wife are both working and both covered by wife's employer sponsored HDHP with HSA. Both will move to another employer sponsored health plan when wife files restricted application as she will then be automatically enrolled in Medicare A and can't contribute to HSA.
QUESTION 2: When should wife file her restricted application?... taking into account the following: 1-Social Security advises filing three months before you want to begin benefits. 2-You can't file for Spousal benefits before reaching FRA. 3- You can't contribute to an HSA after enrolling in Medicare (Employer has already made a substantial contribution to HSA for 2017 and wife would like to make the remainder of the maximum contribution for 2017). 4-Medicare A will be retroactive to 6 months before enrollment date.

Lots of moving parts...your response is much appreciated!

Hi,

The answer to question 1 is yes, assuming that the husband suspended his benefits prior to April 30 2016.

Social Security is my only area of expertise, so I'm not sure about all of the HSA ramifications in question 2. Normally, it would be advantageous to claim spousal benefits effective with the month of FRA attainment, or November 2017 in this case. You are correct though about Medicare Part A entitlement automatically starting up to 6 months prior to the month of application for monthly Social Security benefits.

The wife could file for spousal benefits as late as May 2018 and still claim spousal benefits retroactively to November 2017, but filing in May 2018 would also make her Part A entitlement start effective November 2017. I don't know if that would affect her HSA options for 2017, though. Or, she could wait until July 2018 to file, making her entitlement date to both spousal benefits and Part A of Medicare January 2018. However, that would mean a loss of 2 months of potential spousal benefits, and I don't know how or if it would affect her HSA options.

Best, Jerry