I’m reading your book and you discuss Suspending benefits at FRA. My wife will reach FRA in August. 66 +4 months. I am 63 with FRA of 66+10 months. and intended to apply for benefits at 70. (Higher earner). Do either of us need to suspend? I wasn’t going to apply until age 70. Concerned about deeming also as there were changes during the last federal tax changes that seems to extend deeming past FRA through age 70.

Hi. You don't mention whether or not your wife is drawing benefits, but assuming she's not then there would be no reason for either of you to suspend your benefits when you reach full retirement age (FRA). You can earn delayed retirement credits (DRC) if you defer collecting your benefits after you reach FRA, regardless of whether you file for and suspend your benefits or by simply waiting past your FRA to claim your benefits. And, filing for and suspending benefits at FRA could adversely affect your or your wife's ability to collect survivor benefits if one of you dies unexpectedly.

I don't understand what your specific concern is with regard to deeming. There haven't been any changes in the Social Security law with regard to deeming since 2016 (https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/claiming.html). Basically, since both you and your wife were born after January 1 1954, neither of you could apply for spousal benefits without being required to apply for your own benefits at the same time.

It sounds like you and your wife should strongly consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to fully analyze all of your options so that you can determine your best overall strategy for maximizing your benefits.

Best, Jerry