I used your software a few years ago and have read your book several times and your advice has been very helpful. My 70th birthday is this coming March 27th and am now going file for my retirement benefit, and will file online. I need to know the specific remarks I need to make in the remarks section to refuse retroactive benefits, as I do not want to make the mistake of having SS reverse my delayed credits. Thank You, John

Hi John,

You really shouldn't need to add any remarks if you simply specify that you want to start your benefits effective with March. There should be a question on your application that asks if you want to start benefits effective with the current month. If you answer no, the next question asks 'What Date Should Benefits Start?'. If you answer 'March 2020' to that question then Social Security won't pay you for any months prior to that.

That said, if you like you could also add a remark saying something like 'I want to start benefits effective with March 2020 and do not want to be paid benefits for any months prior to that.' It isn't really necessary, though.

Best, Jerry