On Spousal Benefits...
I just started collecting SS at age 64 (birth year 1955) and am no longer working. My husband is still working and is at FRA of 67 (birth year 1952). He plans to work til age 70 then begin collecting his SS. He's afraid to begin collecting his spousal benefit now (half of my my SS) because he's worried it will affect his own SS benefits age 70. Can you please give us a solid and true answer on this for his peace of mind! Also will he need to go into a SS office and file a restricted application for this benefit?

Hi,

Drawing spousal benefits from your record would have absolutely no adverse effect on your husband's own future Social Security retirement benefit rate. Based on your description of events it sounds like he should file a restricted application for spousal benefits as soon as possible. Only people born prior to January 2 1954 are allowed to file for spousal benefits at full retirement age (FRA) or later without also being required to file for their own benefits at the same time.

Your husband should be able to file a restricted application for spousal benefits either online at Social Security's website (https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/), or by calling or visiting a Social Security office. If your husband applies online there should be a question on his application that says: 'If you are eligible for both retirement benefits and spouse's benefits, do you want to delay receipt of retirement benefits.' Answering that question 'Yes' will restrict your husband's application to spousal benefits only. He could also add a statement in the remarks section of the application saying 'I wish to restrict the scope of this application to spouse's benefits only' in order make his intent doubly clear.

Best, Jerry