I filed for SS at FRA starting in January 2018, filed for husband at FRA starting in April 2018. I would like to file for spousal benefits starting in April 2018. Just read that I have to go to a local office to apply & of course you have to call the national office to set up an appointment...55 minute wait to talk to someone & then wait for local office to call you back. Any other thoughts? Guess I was misinformed that I could just apply online for the spousal benefits after my husband filed. This is where I read the bad news. Thanks for your thoughts. http://www.foxbusiness.com/features/2015/01/26/how-do-get-my-social-secu...

Hi,

Yes, as you've already discovered, Social Security's online claims system isn't advanced enough at this time to permit someone who has already filed for one type of benefit to be able to file online for another type of benefit. You wouldn't necessarily need to go to an office to file your spousal claim, though, since you could file by phone instead. If you go that route, a Social Security claims representative would take your claim over the phone and mail you a copy of your application for review.

More importantly, though, it sounds like you and your husband may be making a mistake on your strategy for claiming benefits. Since both you and your husband were apparently born prior to January 2 1954, one of you could opt to file just for spousal benefits only at full retirement age while allowing their own benefit rate to grow until age 70. And, if your retirement benefit rate is significantly lower than your husband's, it would likely be best for your husband to be the one to do that.

Before proceeding any further with your claims, you and your husband should strongly consider using the maximization software available on this website in order to compare your options and determine your optimal claiming strategy.

Best, Jerry