Ask Larry

Can I File A Restricted Application For Spousal Benefits After Filing On My Own Record?

I AM ELIGIBLE TO RESTRICT MY APPLICATION AND TAKE 1/2 OF MY HUSBANDS SS AMOUNT AT AGE 66.

CAN I TAKE MY OWN SOCIAL SECURITY AT AGE 66, LET IT GAIN 8% UNTIL AGE 67, AND AT AGE 67 DO A RESTRICTED APPLICATION FOR 1/2 OF MY SPOUSE'S SS AMOUNT?. IS THIS ALLOWED? OR ONCE YOU TAKE YOUR OWN SOCIAL SECURITY AT AGE 66, YOU CAN NO LONGER, IN THE FUTURE, PERMITTED TO CHANGE IT AT AGE 67, OR 68 OR 69, DO A RESTRICTED APPLICATION, AND TAKE 1/2 OF YOUR SPOUSES?

Hi,

No, once you file for retirement benefits on your own record, that becomes your primary benefit for life. You could not subsequently stop drawing retirement benefits and receive spousal benefits instead.

Also, if you are referring to delayed retirement credits (DRC) when you mention an 8% gain, you would not get any DRC increase for months that you are drawing your own retirement benefits.

Best, Jerry

Posted: 
Feb 18 2017 - 6:30am
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