I am soon to turn 70 and am applying for social security benefits. The application asks if I have worked OR WILL WORK in 2021. Due to Covid I have not worked in 2021. I have not been “fired”, as I am a part time hourly employee and can return when the office reopens. As of now that is not expected to happen before 2022, but that could change. I currently collect unemployment insurance. With this uncertainty, how do I answer the application question? (I have called social security and not gotten a straight answer!)
Thank you.
Nancy

Hi Nancy. Since you're already over full retirement age (FRA), the application question you're referring to is irrelevant. The only times that Social Security needs to know if a person is working and how much they'll earn is if they are under FRA and subject to the Social Security earnings test. The question you're referring to is only used for earnings test purposes, and the earnings test no longer applies to a person's benefits once they reach FRA .

So, If you haven't worked in 2021 and don't expect to until next year, I would answer that question 'No'. As I say, though, it really won't matter how you answer the question.

Best, Jerry