Larry in your April 11, 2021 Forbes article "Switch” From Social Security Retirement Benefits To Spousal Benefits" you mentioned back then that people can't apply for spousal benefits online if they're already drawing their own retirement benefits. The situation that is described by "Ken" in the article is exactly our situation. We are stumped on how to modify my wife's current benefit to include the additional spousal benefits. Has SSA included an online mechanism to handle this scenario? Thank you for any insight.

I'm waiting to apply for my social security until 67 years and 2 months ( which will be February 28, 2023) to receive an extra $200.00 on the month. How soon can I sign up to receive this benefit? I've been told 4 months before this date. Is this true?
Also, can I sign up without my employer knowing ? I want to work until the end of April 2023 to stay within the amount I am allowed to make.

My husband and I were both born in 1953. I began collecting retirement benefits when I turned 66, and he began collecting spousal benefits. We want to reverse that in 2023 when we both turn 70. After spending lots of time on ssa.gov and on hold with the toll-free number, we went in to our local office. We were told that our only option is a telephone appointment in six weeks. We were also told that we cannot go to a different Social Security office that might be offering in-person appointments.

I am receiving benefits on my own Social Security account and my husband is receiving benefits on his own account. We both filed for our benefits online. I believe my spousal benefit on my husband's account will exceed the amount I receive on my own. Having previously filed online for my own benefit, can I now also file online to apply for my spousal benefit or is there a different application process for that? I am 68, my husband is 70, I began claiming on my account 9/2021, he began claiming on his own account the month he turned 70, 7/2022.

My wife is currently getting her benefits under the "file and suspend" program. She recently turned 70 and we want to apply for her full benefits. How do we do that? Thanks for your help.

Hi Larry. When should I apply for SS? I’m waiting until Age70. I will be 70 years old on Aug8 2024 and am single. Also, you’ve recommended to write SSA to officially decline retroactive lump sum payments; what SS office do I write to, local or federal, or can I do so online? Thanks for a great column, so helpful.

Hi Larry
I will turn 70 in Nov of 2023. I am currently receiving spousal benefits from my wifes SS. My question is when should I contact the SS administration to receive the full benefits in November? Should I be contacting them the middle of October 2023 or before?

Thanks

We have not filed yet. Plan on filing online. My wife reaches FRA in December and I reach 70 in January. We want her to file in December, then switch to 50% of mine in January once I file. Few related questions: (1) Will the switch happen automatically once I file in January. (2) Does she have to manually update her filing in January once I file (if yes, can this be done online). (3) Can she let them know when she files in December that she wants to switch to 50% of mine when I file. Thanks. I am a subscriber to your service.

I turned 71 in Aug 2022 and have submitted my application for social security benefits because I continued to work and had employer health insurance. I separated from the company in March of 2022. zi started my online application on March 17 2022 but didn't complete it. The online application told me I would lose benefits if I didn't complete it by September 18. What diez that mean. Also, zi am stuck prior to submitting my application as to when I want to start receiving benefits.

I started an online application on March 12, 2022. It states I must complete it by September 12, 2022. It states I must start receiving benefits by December 2022. I don’t want to start drawing benefits until March 2023. If I let this application lapse can I start a new application and still receive full benefits or am I penalized?