Ask Larry

Is It True That COLAs Are Added Starting At Age 62 Even If You Aren't Drawing Benefits?

There was an article that stated: "COLAs start pumping up your benefit at age 62, even if you don't claim your benefit until much later". (https://www.kiplinger.com/article/retirement/T051-C000-S004-delaying-soc...). Is this true? If so, does my Social Security Statement from ssa.gov include these COLAs in the monthly benefit estimate at FRA, and age 70, and current age? If not, will my benefit be higher than what is estimated?

Hi,

Yes, that's true. The benefit estimates shown on Social Security statements don't include any assumed future cost of living (COLA) increases, so your actual benefit rate could end up being higher if than the amounts shown.

Best, Jerry

Posted: 
Sep 25 2019 - 5:42pm
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