Ask Larry

Will I Still Get The SS Credits For The Year 2020?

Hello Larry,
I will be 70 this December, 2020. I'm still working full-time. I will be filing for SS soon. Will I still get the SS credits for the 2020 year? Now on, my social security page, it says I'm eligible for $2,900 a month. Trying to get it up to $3,000 or more.
Thanks,

Shirley

Hi Shirley,

Yes, as long as you don't elect to start your benefits any earlier than the month you reach age 70, your Social Security retirement benefit rate will include 4 full years of delayed retirement credits (DRC). That means your benefit rate will be 32% higher than your primary insurance amount (PIA). Your PIA is equal to the benefit rate you'd be receiving if you had started drawing your benefits at full retirement age (FRA).

Furthermore, if your 2020 earnings are high enough to be among your highest 35 years of Social Security covered wage indexed earnings, your benefit rate can be recalculated to include those earnings effective with your benefit payment for January 2021. If you will reach age 70 in December 2020, you wouldn't want to wait past December to claim your Social Security retirement benefits, because doing so would not make your January 2021 benefit rate any higher.

Best, Jerry

Posted: 
Aug 9 2020 - 8:31am
MaxiFi software running on a laptop
Get What's Yours!
Discover tens of thousands in extra retirement dollars with Maximize My Social Security software!
  • Find your maximized strategy
  • Unlimited what-ifs
  • Step-by-Step filing instructions
  • Our software's lifetime-benefit increase for an illustrative couple earning $65K each and planning to take retirement benefits at 62.

    Results will differ based on your specific case and filing strategy.

Getting Started is Easy
Web-based software. Works on ALL browsers. No download.