Hi Larry,

There is no question in the application SSA-2-BK that asks "If you are eligible for both retirement benefits and spouse's benefit, do you want to delay receipt of retirement benefit?"
Please advise.

Thank you,

Boris

Hi Boris,

That question only appears on Social Security's online retirement benefit application, which can be used to file just for spousal benefits or just for a person's own retirement benefits, or for both. The actual paper application forms like an SSA-2-BK haven't been used by Social Security since they converted to a computerized application process in the late 1980's. You could apply for benefits by completing an SSA-2 and submitting it to Social Security, but a Social Security employee would then have to transfer that information onto a computer application. The only way to restrict the scope of an SSA-2-BK to just spousal benefits is by adding a statement to that effect the remarks section.

You can only file a restricted application for spousal benefits and not be deemed to also be filing for your own benefits if you were born prior to January 2 1954. If you want to file a restricted application for spousal benefits only you can either do so by filing online or by filing in person or by phone with Social Security.

Best, Jerry