Ask Larry

Will My Benefits Automatically Switch To My Full Benefit Amount When I Reach Age 70?

I have been receiving 1/2 of my ex spouse's social security benefits since I was age 65. I will be 70 in Nov. 2021. Will my social security automatically switch to my full social security amount; or do I need to file a document to make this happen?
Thanks,
Janet

Hi Janet. I assume you mean that you were born prior to January 2 1954, and you filed a restricted application for divorced spousal benefits only when you reached full retirement age (FRA). If so, you'll need to file a full application for Social Security retirement benefits in order to switch to your own account. When a person files a restricted application for spousal or divorced spousal benefits, they must specifically restrict their own benefits from the scope of their application. That means that you apparently haven't yet applied for your own benefits, so you'll need file an application when you want to start receiving your own benefits.

Best, Jerry

Posted: 
Jul 23 2021 - 12:59pm
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