Social Security has issued the deadline for the file-and-suspend strategy, and it is April 29, 2016

If you are at least 66 years of age and submit a request to file and suspend before April 29, 2016, then you and your spouse will still be able to take advantage of this valuable benefit for married couples.

File and Suspend allows one individual to “file” and then “suspend” their Social Security benefits, which allows the spouse to file and receive spousal benefits.

This all comes about because of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 that President Obama signed into law in November of last year.

Starting on 4/30/2016, one spouse will have to collect on his or her benefits in order for the other spouse to be able to collect a spousal benefit. Divorced spouses who were married at least 10 years can still collect on their ex-spouses record.

Moving forward, for someone who had collected reduced retirement benefits at 62 could suspend their benefits at 66 and then increase their monthly benefits until age 70.