Larry, I am turning 66 in June, My wife is 63 and already claiming Social Security. I did my research and went into the local social security office to file a restricted application for my wifes spousal benefits only, so I will continue to earn Delayed Retirement Credits. The agent I talked too did not seem familiar with restricted applications and said I needed to file for spousal benefits based on my wifes record. I did not think that was correct and asked if he could check about filing a restricted application with a specialist in the office, but he said he was the specialist. Best I could get him to do was add a note to the spousal benefit application that I was filing for spousal benefits only. The next morning I called the national Social Security office and asked the same questions. They reassured me that the spousal application would only give me spousal benefits and my benefit would continue to earn DRCs and also did not seem sure what a restricted application was. Do I have any reason to be concerned, if so what next steps do you recommend ?

Also both agents indicated that survivor benefits do not include the deceased DRCs and are based only on the basic FRA benefit amount. Is that correct ?

Bob

Hi Bob,

A restricted application is simply a regular application within which you restrict the scope of the application to one type of benefit only. This was necessary in your case because Social Security applications state that you are applying for all types of benefits for which you are eligible. Therefore, when you file an application for spousal benefits, if you don't specify in the application that you want to apply for spousal benefits only, it would also be considered as an application for retirement benefits on your own record.

So, it sounds you did everything correctly. With regard to your other question, widow(er) and surviving divorced spousal benefits can include delayed retirement credits (DRC) earned by the worker prior to his or her death (https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0300615702). Other types of survivor benefits (e.g. child's benefits), do not include credit for the worker's DRCs.

Best, Jerry