Hi Larry. Bought and read your "Get What's Yours" in 2015 to plan for our S.S. . Wife, lower wage earner, started her benefit early @62 in 2019. I was age 66 on 5Dec2019. I submitted a restricted application for spousal benefits only on 13Dec2020.-Letter from S.S. confirms spousal benefit only and want to delay mine until later. Started getting that payment in Jan2020.
Now when I login online to my account under "Payment Details" it shows my monthly payments as "Social Security (Retirement)" and "Your Social Security Statement" for "Estimated Benefit" not applicable. So, I can not see my own future benefit or a way to apply for it online. Plan on taking it at age 70.
Should I be concerned? We are expats living in Mexico, US local S.S. offices are closed due to the virus, and 1-800 phone numbers from here are not free.
Your advice would be appreciated. Thanks and thanks for the book!

Hi,

No, it doesn't sound like you need to be concerned. For whatever reason, Social Security stops providing benefit estimates on their website once a person starts receiving benefits, even if the person is only drawing a spousal benefit.

Social Security's website claims that they are constantly expanding their online services, so I don't know whether or not you'll be able to file online for your own Social Security retirement benefits when the time comes. If you aren't able to file online, instructions for filing a claim while residing in Mexico can be found on the following Social Security website: https://www.ssa.gov/foreign/foreign.htm#Macau.

Best, Jerry