My husband is retired, and it was recommended that he not apply for SS benefits until he's 70 (he's 66) I applied for SS when I was 62 and I was under the impression that when he turned 66 he could apply for spousal under my SS. And then when he turns 70 he can apply for his own, I drop mine and apply for spousal under his (which would considerably more) He called the SS office and they told him he could be denied benefits under mine because he could apply for his own and get more. I'm very confused, can they deny him spousal benefits if he hasn't applied for his own yet?

Hi,

Since your husband was born prior to January 2 1954 and you are drawing your benefits, he is allowed to file just for spousal benefits only at full retirement age (FRA) while letting his own benefit rate grow until age 70 (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/deemedfaq.html). If someone at Social Security told you otherwise, they were wrong.

Based on your description, it sounds like your husband should re-contact Social Security and insist on filing a restricted application for spousal benefits only on your record effective with the month he reached age 66.

Best, Jerry