Larry: I will turn 69 on 8/10/17. I plan to file for my Social Security using August 1, 2017 as my starting month & I will not receive my first check until Sept. 2017. Since my birthday is 8/10/17 which is "after" 8/01/17, will I still receive a full 36 months of DRC's? Also, based on the information from your website, when I file to start 8/01/17, I calculate that I will receive 28 of the 36 DRC's with the remaining 8 DRC's to be paid to me in Jan. 2018.

I turned 66 in March, 2017, and began receiving my benefits at that time. I'm still working and I'm considering suspending my benefits so that I can receive the delayed credit when I reach age 70. Since I was already full retirement age when I started collecting, do I stil need to request the suspension within 12 months of receiving my first check, or can I suspend at any time after that? Also, my understanding is that I would need to repay any benefits I receive in the interim. Is that correct, and how much time would I be allowed to repay?

I am 69, born 12/31/47, female, never married. I successfully applied for file and suspend to collect DRC on April 26 2016. In October 2016 I unexpectedly left my job and unable to collect unemployment ins. I am still unemployed but seeking employment. My savings are being affected and want to collect my DRC. I am very concerned on exactly what to say to SS office that I want to collect ideally 13 or 14 months (the maximum I have so far, altho I could manage with less) worth of DRC.

I'm 66 yr, employed and chose to collect half of my husband's social security allowing mine to increase until age 70. Will my personal amount at age 70 increase as I'm still employed or Is it based on amount on date I filed for half of spouses

Hi,

I've heard that if I delay applying for Social Sec benefits by 2 years past my FRA (my FRA is 66), I might have to wait months or even into the following year before the 16% increase kicks in. I'm now 68 and if I apply now to start receiving benefits, how long will I have to wait to get the 16% increase and more importantly will I be retroactively paid the 16% for each month that I have to wait?
Example :
I became 66 April 19, 2015 but did not apply for benefits.

My husband is waiting until 70 for delayed retirement credit. He has an ex-wife who will be filing under his record as she is allowed to do. If she files earlier than him, does that jeopardize his increases promised for delayed retirement?

Hi,

No, regardless of when or if your husband's ex-wife's receives benefits on his record, it won't have any effect on his delayed retirement credits. Nor would her entitlement have any effect on what you could potentially receive as a spouse on your husband's record.

Best, Jerry

My full retirement age is 66 and that was on Oct 30, 2016 but I was planning on starting Social Security on Oct 30, 2017 when I turn 67.

When I turned 66 and if I had started taking Social Security, my benefit amount would have been $1668 but when I checked on Jan 1, 2017, the benefit amount showed that I would have received $1707.

I remember reading somewhere (but now cannot find that article) that by waiting until January 1 before starting to take benefits, it would result in a higher payment and wanted to know if that is the case as far as you know.

I'm 68+ and have "filed and suspended" since FRA at 66. I'm ready to start benefits. I am offered a lump sum of $ 66 K or start taking my higher benefit amount ($ 450 per month higher than my amount at age 66). I'm in good health. Is taking the lump sum or the higher monthly amount the better move? Any key criteria I can use to make the best choice?

Hi,

I just turned 66 on March 13, 2017. i was considering waiting until I turn 70 to file for Social security. However, a good friend of mine just told me that the benefits no longer gain 8% per year since a bill was passed in April 2016. I had not heard anything of that information. Is that true?

Hi,

Hi Larry,
I plan on filing for my SSA benefit in July 2018 when I reach 70. Will all DRC's be included in my August check, or will they withhold the DRC's earned from 1/2018 through 7/2018 and add them later?

Thanks for the info.

Hi,

Yes, if you file effective with the month you reach age 70, all of your delayed retirement credits (DRC) are included in your initial benefit rate.

Best, Jerry