Thank you in advance for your assistance. I am turning 66 in July 2017. To date I have NOT applied for any SS retirement or auxiliary benefit. I fall into the grandfathering clause for "deeming" and should be able to file a restricted application for spousal benefits and allow my own benefit rate to grow until age 70. Here is my question/scenario: I was a high earner. My own estimated benefit at FRA is higher than the estimated spousal benefit. In addition, my own benefit at FRA is higher than my husband's monthly SS amount. Does either one of these situations result in SS refusing me spousal benefits and forcing me to take my own retirement benefit or SS "layering my benefit" with a spousal benefit plus the difference between a spousal benefit and my own retirement benefit. I am very interested in your advice on this matter. Thank you again.

Hi,

Since you were born prior to January 2 1954, you can file a restricted application for spousal benefits only at full retirement age (FRA) and allow your own rate to grow until age 70. It doesn't matter how much your own retirement rate would be in relation to your spousal rate, because you won't be filing for your retirement benefits until age 70. When you do file for your retirement benefits, your spousal benefits will terminate since they will be lower than your retirement benefit amount.

The only catch is that your husband must be drawing his retirement or disability benefits in order for you to qualify for spousal benefits.

Best, Jerry