Wasted hours on Social Security spousal benefits call - agent confused top-up with survivor benefits

There's definitely confusion here. Let me help clarify: 1. For online applications, your protective filing date (the date that counts for when benefits start) is the date you submit the completed application. 2. For spousal benefits, you're right - it's NOT survivor benefits. It's called "deemed filing" now, where you receive your own retirement benefit plus a supplement up to 50% of your husband's PIA (Primary Insurance Amount) if that would be higher than your own benefit. 3. You absolutely CAN apply online for spousal benefits if you're also filing for your own retirement benefits. Unfortunately, some phone representatives aren't fully trained on all aspects of Social Security. I'd recommend trying again and specifically asking for a Title 2 Claims Specialist who handles retirement and spousal benefits.

same thing happend to me!!!! the call center ppl have NO CLUE what there talking about. i talked to 3 diffrent ppl and got 3 diffrent answers about my husbands benifet. one said i had to wait till full retiremnet age (67) another said i could file at 62 but would get less. so confusing!!!

I've been through this exact situation! The phone agents often confuse spousal benefits with survivor benefits. For the record: Spousal benefits = up to 50% of your spouse's benefit while they're alive. Survivor benefits = up to 100% of what your spouse was receiving after they pass away. When I applied last year, I had to specifically mention "deemed filing for spousal benefits" to get the right help. And yes, the date you submit your online application is your protective filing date, which determines when your benefits start. Don't let them tell you otherwise!

I had to call Social Security FIVE TIMES to get someone who understood my question about spousal benefits! It's ridiculous how poorly trained some of these people are. I finally gave up and drove 45 minutes to my local office. Even then I had to wait 3 hours but at least the person knew what they were talking about.

If the agent says they're not familiar with the online application, REQUEST A TRANSFER IMMEDIATELY. That's red flag #1 that you're talking to someone who probably can't help with retirement applications. There are different departments within SSA call centers, and not everyone handles retirement/spousal claims. Also, for your application date question - the date you complete and submit your online application is your protective filing date. That's extremely important because it determines when your benefits can begin. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise!

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS BROKEN!!! i spent 2 hrs on hold last month only to get disconnected when they finally answered. then went to the office and they told me i should have just called?!?! make up your minds people!!!

To directly answer your question: YES, when you apply online, the date you submit your completed application becomes your protective filing date. This is the date SSA uses to determine when your benefits can start. For retirement benefits, you can receive up to 6 months of retroactive benefits (but no earlier than your eligibility month), so your filing date is crucial. With spousal benefits, you need to specifically indicate during the online application that you're filing for spousal benefits too. The online system will ask if you're currently married, and then ask if you want to apply for benefits on your spouse's record. Say YES to this question!

This happens all the time with SS. When I called about my widows benefits, the first person had no idea what I was talking about. Second person gave me wrong info. Third person finally knew the rules. Don't give up, just keep calling until you get someone who knows what their doing!

Since there seems to be confusion about spousal benefits in this thread, let me clarify a few key points: 1. If you were born after January 1, 1954, when you file for either your retirement OR spousal benefit, you're automatically deemed to have filed for both. 2. The maximum spousal benefit is 50% of your spouse's Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), but you only receive the higher of either your own benefit or the combination that gives you the most money. 3. If you file before your Full Retirement Age (FRA), both your own retirement and spousal benefits will be permanently reduced. 4. Your spouse must have already filed for their own benefits for you to receive spousal benefits (unless they're suspended due to earnings). The online application system does handle spousal benefits correctly if you indicate you're married and want to file on your spouse's record.

To the person asking about getting $1000 plus $700 - you don't add them together. You get the HIGHER of either your own benefit OR the spousal amount. So in your example, you'd get $1000 (which is higher than your $700). The system essentially tops you up to the higher amount. And @OP - for your original question, yes, the application date online becomes your official filing date. Print or screenshot your confirmation page as proof. And if you need to visit an office, use the online appointment scheduler at ssa.gov/locator - don't rely on phone agents to set it up.