Restricted Application on a Divorced Spouse's Record

I know in the NSSA® class in Kansas City you said that someone could still do a Claim and Suspend (really means Restricted Application!) on a Divorced spouse. I think I had it come up recently at a SS workshop, asking if a person could do a Restricted application on a Divorced spouse.

Yes, a divorced spouse can file a Restricted Application on their ex-spouse’s record, but they must meet specific criteria. One crucial requirement is that the individual filing must have been born on or before January 1, 1954. This is often referred to as the "magic date," as it allows for a restricted application, enabling the person to claim spousal benefits while delaying their own retirement benefits to earn delayed retirement credits.

Additionally, if the divorce occurred at least two years prior, the ex-spouse does not need to be receiving their Social Security benefits for the other to file a Restricted Application. This strategy can be particularly beneficial for maximizing Social Security income by allowing the applicant to receive a spousal benefit while letting their own benefit grow until age 70.

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