I read your answer to a recent question (http://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/can-i-file-online-just-spousal-benefit) asking if one could file online just for a spousal benefit. Your answer was “As far as I know, you cannot file online just for a spousal benefit.” But your 2/4/16 column on the PBS website (http://www.pbs.org/newshour/making-sense/column-should-you-file-for-your...) said “You can file online for retirement benefits, spousal benefits and divorced spousal benefits.” My situation is I filed and suspended prior to the April 2016 deadline (born May 1948), and my wife is turning 66 this October. I’d prefer to file online (given what you said about the online process asking the very important question: When do you want your retirement benefit to begin?). Does our situation allow my wife to file online for spousal? Thanks, and thanks for the Maximize my Social Security software; I found it quite helpful and informative!

Hi,

Yes, your wife should be able to apply online just for spousal benefits effective at full retirement age (FRA). She just needs to be careful to restrict retirement benefits on her own account from the scope of her application. The application should contain a question asking her if she also wants to apply for benefits on her own account, which she should answer 'No'. She can also restrict the scope by adding a statement in the remarks section 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 account from the scope of this application.' Statements like these are necessary because Social Security applications are considered as applications for all benefits for which a person is eligible, unless otherwise specified.

Best, Jerry