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?

My railroad retirement tier 1 is now less than my social security benefit when I turn age 70. Can I apply on-line for social security or do I have to directly make an office appointment?

Hi. My expertise doesn't extend to the Social Security website. All I can tell you is that collecting Railroad Retirement benefits isn't listed on Social Security's website as one of the exceptions to online filing. In any case, I don't think it could hurt to try filing online. I assume the website will give you instructions if you run into a problem.

Hi Larry,

I will turn full retirement age of 66 and 4 months on February 25, 2023. How far in advance can I apply for social security benefits? When will I receive my first social security benefit check?
Thanks, Sherry

What is the name of the application to apply online? Turned 62 in July.