Regarding delayed retirement credits; you indicated the SSA does not update they payments for up to 24 months regarding delayed retirement credits. If you make an initial application including the delayed retirement credits, what amount does the SSA pay for retirement until the DRC is updated and paid? Is it the PIA, or primary insurance amount which is payable until the the DRC is updated? As I understand it, you would only receive the PIA or full retirement age benefit until the DRC is calculated.

Donald inquired as to how DRCs are applied on June 9. I read the link to POMS and confused myself.

If I wait to claim retirement benefits until age 70 do I forfeit COLAs from FRA until 70? I am receiving survivor benefits now. I have not claimed retirement benefits yet. Thanks!

Hi,

Thank you for the help you give to the public...I suspended my monthly SS retirement ($1646.60) beginning 03/2015 and resumed beginning 06/2017; no COLA for 2015 and 0.3% for 2016. Upon resumption of benefits my adjusted monthly benefit after COLA and 22 months of suspension was computed by the SSA as $1893.70. My concern is that the method/procedure used by the SSA to arrive at this number was incorrect. According to my computations, the monthly amount should have been $1902.52.

I called the SSA regarding applying for SSA retirement benefits, and I was informed by the representative that if I filed after my full retiement age (fra), 66 plus 2 months, that if I wanted to increase my monthly benefit by filing after my FRA, that I would need to wait a full year to get any increase in monthly benefits. It is my understanding your montly benefit would increase each MONTH that you wait past your FRA; and that I need not wait the full 12 months as I was informed by SSA. Is the information given out by SSA staff correct?

My husband passed in 2011 and was collecting SS disability, when I turned 62 I started getting ss widows benefits. I stopped working at that time. Am I getting delayed credits on my own SS by not claiming my own until age 70?

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.

Yes, as long as you haven't filed for retirement benefits on your own record and you have at least 40 quarters of Social Security coverage then you can accrue delayed retirement credits on your own record from your full retirement age until age 70.

Best, Jerry

I'm 62 and 10 months old. If I opt to take SSA RI benefits now because I cannot find work in my area, can I then voluntarily suspend benefits at FRA (66 and 2 mos.) and earn delayed retirement credits until I reach age 70? As a tangential question, if SSA has not yet correctly computed my w-2 wages for 2017 (they have me earning $5,580 when I actually earned $57,000), if they correct that upwards by September 2018, will SSA adjust my monthly benefit to reflect that? Thanks.

Hi,

I am 67.5 years old. Less than a month ago I went to file at the SSA. The representative asked me "where have you been?" ... and immediately proceeded with the application to provide me with retroactive benefits which I did not want. I wanted to take advantage of the DRCs. She said I haven't worked since 62.5 y.o. Does that mean the $10.00 or so monthly DRC increase since I stopped working at 62.5 would not be as beneficial as receiving retroactive payment? Very confusing. Should I withdraw or suspend my application at this time?

I am 67.5 years old and stopped working at 62. I know I was eligible at my FRA of 66 to take my social security benefits, but have delayed in order to earn several months of DRC's. I am worried that I should I have already filed and suspended at FRA 66 and will therefore lose these DRC's? I also have a disabled adult child who will transition off of SSI to my benefit. Thank you for your help.

Hi,

I have received SS since age 63. I am now 67 1/2 and want to suspend benefits until I am 70.
Everything I've researched tells me I can gain 8% annually on my current monthly benefit of $2040 so I'd get aprox. $2474. at age 70.
The folks at Tucson SS say that is not the case and because I filed at 63 my benefit at 70 would only be $2284.
I can't find anything to justify their line of thought. Why isn't it a 8% yearly increase???
Who is correct????
Thank you,
Tom

Hi Tom,

Hi Larry