I am 69 and need to file for Social Security. Can you file for Sociqal Security, take 6 months retroactive payout and suspend payments? If the retroactive pay sets the rate back six months, how long can the benefits be suspended?

Hi,

You could elect to receive up to 6 months of retroactive benefits when you apply for your Social Security retirement benefits, but you couldn't voluntarily suspend your benefits any sooner than the month after the month you make your request. So, for example, if you apply for benefits in January 2021 you could choose a start date for payment of your benefits as early as July 2020, but the earliest that you could voluntarily suspend your benefits would be February 2021.

If you voluntarily suspend your benefits between full retirement age (FRA) and age 70, Social Security will automatically start paying your benefits effective with the month you reach age 70 unless you ask to reinstate them before then. Benefits can't be voluntarily suspended beyond age 70 because you can earn delayed retirement credits (DRC) for months after the month you reach age 70. Once benefits are suspended, the earliest that they can be reinstated is effective with the month following the month that you request reinstatement.

You may want to strongly consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to fully analyze the options available to you in order to determine your best strategy for maximizing your benefits.

Best, Jerry