Ask Larry

I am 71 and retired. My wife is 64, and collects SSDI benefits. When my wife reaches FRA in 2018 (age 66), can she file a Restricted Applicatiion for 50% spousal benefits? Can her SSDI benefit, which convert to regular SS benefits at FRA, be suspended until age 70?

Hi,

Unfortunately, the answer to your first question is no. Social Security rewrote their rules to prevent this practice in December 2014, and Larry wrote a column about it (http://www.pbs.org/newshour/making-sense/social-securitys-christmas-present-benefit-cuts-for-millions-of-disabled-workers/).

Your wife can, however, suspend her benefits when they convert to retirement at full retirement age (FRA), which is age 66 in her case. She can then resume payments at a 32% higher rate at age 70. The downside is that she can't receive spousal benefits while her retirement benefits are in suspense.

Your wife may wish to run the maximization software available on this website in order to determine her best course of action.

Best, Jerry