Pre-retirement checklist

But to file a restricted claim for spousal benefits, one’s current mate must already be collecting Social Security retirement or disability benefits or must have filed and suspended their Social Security retirement benefits before the April 29, 2016, deadline. The file-and-suspend strategy is no longer available, but those who filed before the deadline are grandfathered under the old rules.

In the case of eligible ex-spouses born before 1954, they can restrict their claim to spousal benefits at age 66 even if their ex has not yet claimed benefits as long as their ex is at least 62 years old and the couple has been divorced at least two years.