Larry in your April 11, 2021 Forbes article "Switch” From Social Security Retirement Benefits To Spousal Benefits" you mentioned back then that people can't apply for spousal benefits online if they're already drawing their own retirement benefits. The situation that is described by "Ken" in the article is exactly our situation. We are stumped on how to modify my wife's current benefit to include the additional spousal benefits. Has SSA included an online mechanism to handle this scenario? Thank you for any insight.

Hi. Social Security's website claims that they are constantly working to expand their online capabilities, but as far as I know people who are currently collecting their own Social Security retirement benefits still aren't able to apply for any other type of benefit online. However, I don't think it would do any harm for your wife to try filing online, and if it doesn't work then she'll need to call Social Security to make an appointment to apply for spousal benefits either by phone or in person.

Best, Jerry