I am receiving survivor benefit based on my wife's record now and want to switch to receive the benefit based on my own record, which is higher, when I turn 70 in April 2021. I was told to fill out SSA 795 but not sure how. I have three questions.
1. What do I put on the first page of the form under the big blank space after I hereby certify that?
2. When should I file the form to start receiving the new benefit when I turn 70 in April 2021?
3. Where do I send the form and should it be submitted electronically or thru regular mail?
Thank you for your assistance.

Keith

Hi Keith,

You can't use a form SSA-795 (Statement Of Claimant) to switch to your own benefits. When you filed for survivor benefits, you apparently properly restricted the scope of your application to survivor benefits only. That means that you haven't yet applied for your own Social Security retirement benefits, which you will need to do no sooner than 4 months prior to the month that you want to claim your own retirement benefits. So, if you want to start your own benefits effective with April 2021, the earliest that you can file your application is December 2020.

I'm not sure if you'll be able to apply for your benefits online or not, but if you can't you can call Social Security to set up an appointment to apply.

Best, Jerry