My husband turned 66 on 6/22/16 and I turned 66 on 7/13/16. I am going to file for my beneifts soon and my husband is going to file a restricted application for "spousal benefits only" and let his benefits grow until he is 70 years old. I'm confused as to what start date I should put on the application to start receiving benefits. Is it 7/1/16 or 8/1/16. If I put down 7/1/16, I don't want social security to say my husband can't file for spousal benefits because I wasn't 66 on 7/1/16. I called their office so many times and even went in person and have gotten so much conflicting information, such as we are not eligible to file a restrcited application, that I don't trust anything they tell me. I bought your book but didn't see any examples of this. Also, how do I answer Question 26 on the application.1. I want benefits beginning with the earliest possible month & will accept an age-related reduction. 2. I am full retirement age and want benefits beginning with earliest possible month providing their is no permanent reduction in my ongoing monthy benefits. 3. I want beneftis beginning with (enter date). Please advise.
Thank you,
Gloria

Hi Gloria,

You don't need to worry about a particular day to start, you just want to choose July 2016 as your month of election to begin benefits. To accomplish that, you can either choose answer #2 to question 26, or #3 and specify July 2016. Your husband should do the same thing on his restricted application for spousal benefits only, and he also needs to add in the remarks section a statement such as: 'I wish to restrict the scope of this application to spousal benefits only', or 'I wish to restrict retirement benefits on my own record from the scope of this application.' If he files by phone or in person, the SSA claims rep should add this remark, but be sure to review the application to make sure the remark is present.

Best, Jerry