Ask Larry

Should Social Security Have Adjusted The Rate Of Benefits I Collected Prior To FRA?

Hi Larry, Back on October 19, 2017 I submitted a question that you filed under "Recomputations"
"When Will My Benefit Rate Increase ................. Benefits Were Suspended"
Well. Now I am 67 in May 2020, they just did the adjustment, sent a letter and did a one time payment.
You called it a AFR, Reduction Factor Adjustment back in your 2017 answer.
I did collect 7 months in 2015, benefits were suspended for 2016 (63), 2017 (64) and 2018 (65). In January of 2019, the year of my 66th (my FRA is 66), I asked to have my benefits turned back on because the 1 to 3 rule wouldn't hinder me till May, my 66th b,day. I received another 5 checks.
The letter they just sent states .. that between May 2019 to November 2019 (7 months) and from December 2019 to July (8 months) 2020 are "Raised due to not being paid at full rate before reaching FRA", specific amounts were stated. A quick adding, subtracting and multiplying came very close to my deposited adjustment check, no problems there.
So my Question is this:
Do they not adjust those 12 months that I collected prior to my FRA? Seven months from 2015 and five from 2019, based on that 62 rate?
is the adjustment only for what was paid at the reduced rate for the months from May 2019 (FRA) to present, after i turned FRA?
A call to SS sounded that way? I don't want to fill out a SSA-561 form if they are correct BUT I don't want not to if the are incorrect.
Any clarity in this matter would be greatly appreciated, local offices are closed due to Covid-19 and I have previously received different answers from SS personnel on the phone that contradicted each other.
Thank You in advance
Tony
PS .. I did try your program for a year, worked great but alas now are not in need of it due to full retirement.

Hi Tony,

You wouldn't be due any rate adjustment on the benefits you were paid prior to full retirement age (FRA). If you filed effective at age 62, any months that you were paid benefits prior to FRA would be paid at your age 62 rate regardless of your age at the time the benefits were paid. The adjusted reduction factor (ARF) calculation only applies to your benefit rate starting with the month you reach FRA.

Best, Jerry

Category: 
Posted: 
Aug 19 2020 - 9:32am
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