Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) Practice Exam 2026 – Comprehensive All-in-One Guide for Exam Success!

The restricted application strategy in Social Security is intended to allow a higher-earning spouse to file specifically for spousal benefits while delaying their own retirement benefit. This approach can be particularly beneficial for couples where one spouse has significantly higher lifetime earnings, as it enables the lower-earning spouse to receive spousal benefits based on the higher earner's work record. As a result, the higher earner can continue to grow their retirement benefit by postponing their own Social Security application, potentially leading to a larger benefit when they finally do file.

It's important to note that this strategy is no longer available to individuals who reach age 62 after the 2015 Bipartisan Budget Act, which established new rules around claiming benefits. Understanding this context is crucial because while the restricted application may seem straightforward, its application has become more limited following legislative changes.

The other choices do not accurately describe the purpose of the restricted application. Eligibility for Medicare and issues related to taxes or maximizing earned income do not pertain to the specific mechanisms of spousal benefits and strategies around them.