Do you think these representatives are in your local social security office, or in some call center? Not really relevant, but I’m curious.
I suspect they are all in a call center somewhere, as I’m only calling an 800 number. The first one I called said she was in Scranton, PA, which is not local to me. I also imagine there are many different SS call centers around the country.
Here’s a simpler expalnation of the changes for each age group on what they can or cannot do. It doesn’t look like you can do FS in the usual sense unless you were born before May 1, 1950.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/social-security-changes-hit-couples-125929117.html
You may get further by explaining what you believe (or know) is allowed, than just saying you want to.
@lookingforward: That’s what got me shut down earlier this week. The SS person I spoke to told me I could file and suspend with the intention of DH taking a spousal benefit in January 2016. I told her about the new law and she said she had never heard of it. I don’t want to explain the new law to them; I just want to file and suspend.
VH, I don’t know…but Obama only signed it on Monday 11/2. Entirely possible its specifics and procedures haven’t been rolled down to the phone staff yet. ??
I’m certain they haven’t. But the woman refused to permit me to file and suspend. That’s why for my next conversation, I’m not getting into it. I’m just going to keep repeating, I want to file and suspend, and I’m not taking No for an answer.
ETA: I just realized my Post #184 should have had a very important NOT in it: "The SS person I spoke to told me I could NOT file and suspend with the intention of DH taking a spousal benefit in January 2016.
@VeryHappy, if you are 66 or older you should be able to file for Social Security benefits, and then suspend the benefits. You might have to do it in 2 steps if they don’t let you “file and suspend”. I have only read semi-academic descriptions of the procedure and not a step-by-step of the actual mechanics of accomplishing it. And of course, the Social Security employees that take applications cannot react to new legislation, even after it is signed and becomes law. The headquarters staff must translate the law into regulations and procedures and communicate that to the field office staff, through bulletins, manuals, and training. But based on existing law if you are 66 your should be able to file for benefits…(pause)… and then suspend those benefits.
Fun Fact: My first job after college graduation was working for Social Security in Detroit Mi. After several weeks of training I was taking applications from people filing for benefits. I kept waiting for the happy couple applying for retirement benefits, but they never appeared. Everybody I talked to first had to wait 1 or 2 hours, and then I usually helped them file for SSI benefits. Most were sick, or disabled, and many had no birth certificate and had to rely on family Bibles or even census records to establish age. It was miserable work and after 6 months I got a permanent job with a different agency.
@NJres, yeah, for better or for worse, I’m 66 and 50 weeks right now. Sounds like that was a miserable job. I had a nice chat with my first SS person, Tina, even though she wouldn’t let me F&S. She told me most people don’t wait until they’re my age, much less until they’re 70, to start taking benefits.
I recently read a statistic that said only 3% of filers wait until age 70.
That would be me, post #169. 
If I am younger, I would be watching the retirement age. Every one-year increase in the retirement age works out to about a 6.x% lifetime decrease in benefits received, no matter when you start collecting. But it doesn’t get as much attention because it’s not a “cut”. But polls show a large majority favor raising the retirement age (78%). Some want to push FRA to 70, which would be a 20% reduction in benefits.
I’m so glad I’m old.
I wish I was 30 days older. 
@VeryHappy & @calmom : You both made me laugh. calmom, I hear you, Me too – but I’m shy by a couple of years. 30 days just plain sucks.
What options are left for those under 60? Other than the decision of when to start taking SS - it seems there are no other choices to make - no other strategies.
^I think that’s the whole point of amending SS law, not to have strategies.
I would vote for raising FRA. People are living longer on the average and they can and do work longer. It may however affect laborers who can’t work longer as well as white collar workers.
People are living longer and they can work longer. One problem, however, is that companies don’t want old folks around and many a person 55 or older has been made an early retirement offer that he/she can’t refuse. At that age, it’s difficult to find something comparable to what they had. It’s a societal issue, not a policy issue.
Those in desk jobs can probably work longer if the company wants them. Mine did not but I do consulting now. Those in hard blue collar jobs are physically tired by 62. FIL was an electrician and had to work outside in the winters. He took early retirement by 60. Working that job until he was even 66 would have been very hard.
It’s not just blue collar jobs - a lot of jobs simply require a person to be on their feet all day, and that can be difficult.
Consider, let’s say, a UPS driver, a hotel maid, a construction worker, or someone who works in an Amazon warehouse. Life expectancy for people like that is not getting longer, and they’re doing a physically demanding job. They’ve worked hard all their life, their joints hurt every day, their back aches every day, and now you want to snatch away their retirement? We’re better than that.
Those people are likely taking SS disability. Haven’t the numbers on SS disability skyrocketed in the last few years?
Yes, they have.
http://apps.npr.org/unfit-for-work/
So many that the Social Security Disability trust fund will go broke next year.