Ask Larry

How Many Times Can You Suspend Your Social Security Retirement Benefits?

Hi, How many times can you suspend your Social Security retirement benefits? For example, I would like to start taking Soc Sec retirement benefits at age 66 (full age), then try to see if I can get a job, and then suspend benefits until age 70. However, if I have to stop working, could I then start benefits again before age 70, start receiving the benefits, and then if I get another job suspend the benefits again. Can I do this, or can I only suspend Soc Sec retirement benefits once? How many times can I do this before age 70, if need be? Thank you

Hi,

There is no set limit on the number of times that you can suspend and reinstate your benefits between full retirement age (FRA) and age 70. So yes, you could start drawing benefits at FRA and then suspend and reinstate your benefits any number of times after that. The only limitation is that you couldn't suspend or reinstate your benefits any earlier than the month following the month of your request.

Before filing, you may want to strongly consider using our maximization software in order to explore your options and determine your best filing strategy.

Best, Jerry

Posted: 
Feb 8 2018 - 10:47am
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