RE your July 19 column, "Does My Larger Social Security Retirement Benefit Disqualify Me From Spousal Benefits?" My wife is older than I am and has been receiving her benefits for several years. I hit my FRA in June 2020 and plan to wait to take my benefits until I reach age 70. I read your column as meaning I could claim 50% of my wife's benefit as long as I did not file or file/suspend my own benefits, but when I went to the SS office this month they told me that only applied if I was born PRIOR to January 1954, and I was born in June 1954. Further, I had understood the January 1954 restriction only applied to those wishing to file the other way around, i.e. my wife could file for half of my larger benefit if I filed and suspended my benefit. Have I misunderstood your column or is the SS agent misunderstanding? Thank you!

Hi,

The answer given in the column you refer to is accurate, but perhaps should have more clearly noted that the questioner was born prior to January 2 1954 and thus was eligible to file a restricted application for spousal benefits only. Since you were born after January 1 1954, you will be deemed to be filing for both Social Security retirement and spousal benefits whenever you apply for either benefit (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/deemedfaq.html). Therefore, you don't have the option of filing a restricted application for spousal benefits while allowing your own benefit rate to grow.

Best, Jerry