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Do I Need To Do Anything To Start Getting My Retirement Benefits At Age 70?
My wife filed for her SS at age 62, taking a reduced benefit. I am 4 years older, and at the same time she applied, I also filed and "suspended" my own SS, but filed for spousal benefits on my wifes SS. I turn 70 in August this year (2017) and want to claim my own SS benefits. Do I have to do something, or will SS automatically shift me over to full benefits for me?
Hi,
You must not have filed for and suspended your own benefits, or else you'd only be receiving an excess spousal benefit if anything (https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0202409110). The only way that you could now be receiving a full spousal benefit is if you filed only for spousal benefits, and specified on your application that you did not want to claim your retirement benefits.
Therefore, you will need to file a separate application in order to claim retirement benefits on your own record. And, since you will be turning age 70 within 3 months, you can file for your retirement benefits now. In order to receive the highest possible benefit rate, be sure to specify that you don't want to claim your retirement benefits prior to the month you reach age 70.
Best, Jerry