My spouse collects spousal social security on my record, thanks to Larry's advice. Because he is nearing 70, we visited our local office to get an estimate of benefits on his own record. We were told that we should get that information from his "my social security" account. We explained that we had tried that, but couldn't get it that way, the system seemingly won't provide the estimates because he is already receiving a benefit. The representative insisted we were wrong, and said we should give our password so he could log on to our "my social security," so he could prove it. We refused and asked for a supervisor, which he refused us, but after much prodding agreed to give us the estimate of benefits for age 70 from their system. It took only a minute or two for him to produce this information, but he argued with us a lot longer why we shouldn't be there. Were we wrong to believe we can't get the information online, and that this is information we should be able to get from our local office easily? When it's time for my husband to file for his benefit, can he do it online

Hi,

Unless Social Security has recently upgraded their online abilities, you were right and the Social Security representative was wrong. Furthermore, even if you could get an estimate online there is absolutely no excuse for the representative's reluctance to give your husband a benefit estimate in person.

Social Security's online application process also doesn't permit someone who is receiving one type of benefit to file for another type of benefit online, so your husband will need to file for his retirement benefits by phone or in person.

Best, Jerry