I turned 70 in June 2022. I completed most of the online SS benefits application on 6/30/22, but did not send it immediately, fearing that SSA might automatically pay me 6 months of benefits (retroactive from June), thereby costing me 6 months of delayed retirement credits. How should I answer the question: "Do you want benefits to start in 06/2022? Yes/No(Your other available options are 12/2021 to 11/2022.)". I am inclined to choose 11/2022 so as to eliminate the possibility that an automatic payment of 6 months of retroactive benefits would cost me delayed retirement credits.

Hi. If you turned age 70 in June 2022, then that's the month you should choose to start benefits assuming that you want to receive your highest possible monthly benefit rate. If you choose any month later than that, you'll just lose month(s) of benefits without gaining any additional delayed retirement credits (DRC). You can only accrue DRCs for months prior to the month you reach age 70.

Social Security won't automatically start your benefits 6 months retroactively from the month you choose to start benefits. They simply give you that option. That's why they are informing you that you could elect to start your benefits retroactively to December 2021, but if you did so you would then lose 6 months of DRCs.

Best, Jerry