I suspended my regular retire benefit at age 66 in order to gain credits toward a higher benefit at age 70. However, I’m currently receiving a spousal benefit as my wife is disabled and is receiving SSDI. My question is will the SS administration automatically stop my spousal benefit and automatically start my regular benefit when I turn 70. In April?

Hi,

If you had actually filed for and then suspended your own Social Security retirement benefits, the only way that you could now be receiving spousal benefits is if 50% of your wife's disability benefit (SSDI) rate is higher than your retirement benefits. Even then, you could only be paid a partial spousal benefit equal to the amount that 50% of your wife's SSDI exceeds your full retirement rate. Once you've filed for your own Social Security retirement benefits, that becomes your primary benefit for life even if you suspend your benefits. Any additional benefits for which you may qualify (e.g. spousal, survivor) could only be paid to the extent that those benefits exceed your own suspended retirement rate. And, even such partial benefits wouldn't be paid if you suspend your retirement benefits after April 29 2016 (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/suspendfaq.html).

Therefore, I presume that you filed an application for spousal benefits only, and you restricted your own retirement benefits from the scope of your application. That would mean that you haven't yet applied for your own retirement benefits. Assuming that's correct, you'll need to file an application in order to become entitled to your own benefits. If you turn age 70 in April 2019 and want to start your retirement benefits then, you could file your application up to 4 months in advance (i.e. December 2018). But, Social Security should have plenty of time to process your claim timely as long as you apply by the end of February 2019.

On the other hand, if you actually have filed for and suspended your own retirement benefits you would not need to reapply for benefits. Social Security automatically reinstates payments for people whose benefits have been voluntarily suspended when they reach age 70.

Best, Jerry