Hello Larry,
Both my wife and I are over 66 years old.
I am collecting SS benefits (started after FRA)
She is still working full time.
Can she apply for spousal benefits?
Her current FRA benefits are higher than 50% of mine)
Thanks
Americo

Hi Americo,

My wife and I just turned 67 in March. Linda has been receiving SS benefits for less than 1 year. I plan to wait to age 70 to draw my SS. If I apply today for spousal benefits, how would that affect my age 70 benefit? I am concerned about losing COLA. Thank you!

Hi,

One of the four requirements for collecting social security based on your ex-spouse as stated on SSA’s website is: “The benefit you are entitled to receive based on your own work is less than the benefit you would receive based on your ex-spouse's work.” I called social security when I turned 62, but was told that my ex-spouse’s benefit was less than mine so therefore I could not collect any benefits.

I will turn 69 on June 28 and I am planning on filing for my social security retirement benefit at that time. What month should I request my benefit to start in so that I will be sure to get the higher "Age 69" benefit and not the lower Age 68" benefit? Would that be in June or July? When I spoke to Social Security today, they said that it did not matter that my birthday was at the end of the month; my benefit would start in June and my first check would be sent in July. Please clarify this issue.

Thanks

Hi,

My wife was born May 6, 1953 and I was born May 2, 1955. Neither of us is currently receiving retirement benefits (RIB) or spousal benefits (SIB) and I don't intend to file for my RIB before my FRA on July 2, 2021 (and possibly not until age 70). I thought that my wife could file a restricted application now (effective as of her FRA) based on my earnings record. We went into a SS office and I was told that she could not file a restricted SIB application because I have not filed a RIB. Is this correct?

Hi,

My husband is not collecting his social security benefits until age 70 yrs. I am eligible for "restricted spousal benefits" as I was born in May 1953. Can I collect benefits at age 66 yrs. if as my husband hasn't filed for his benefits?

Hi,

No. Unless your husband was born prior to May 1950 and he filed for and suspended his benefits prior to April 30 2016, you couldn't be paid spousal benefits until your husband actually starts drawing his benefits.

I was born before 1954 and, based on information I read in your excellent book, I know I am eligible to file for a restricted application on my younger wife's benefit (born in 1954) once she actually begins taking her benefit and let mine earn additional credits until age 70. We are planning on doing this in the early part of 2020. But, recently, I have read some articles on-line and in print that are stating that the ability to apply for a restricted benefit will end at the end of 2019. Is there any truth to this deadline?

Hi,

Larry, my wife is slightly older than me. She filed for SS benefits upon reaching her FRA. I chose to wait until I reach 70. Now I realize that I could have made a restricted filing for spousal benefits back when I reached FRA and such would have still allowed my own benefits to increase until I was 70. Can I now retroactively make a restricted filing for spousal benefits and get a lump some payment?

Hi,

I was born 8/19/53 and was planning on retiring 7/31/2019 and applying for benefits in August 2019 when I turn 66. My wife was born 4/29/54 and was planning on retiring 6/29/2019 and applying for benefits in June 2019. When I put ages into the what if scenario of your program, it is showing that I need to apply the same time as my wife. So can she apply and June and me wait until August? What is our best strategy for me to get FTA benefits?

Hi,

My husband waited until age 70 to collect his benefits nearly two years ago. There is an 11 yr difference in our ages. I wilI turn 62 in six months and I was the low wage earner. I understand that if I file early it will be considered "deeming" and it will be a combination of my retirement and spousal. Can I remain on that status if my husband dies before my FRA, or does it automatically switch to survivor benefits?

Hi,