The calculator says to apply with an election date of Dec 2019. My spouse and I are still working. Will the earnings from 2019 to date be accounted for in the December calculation? If not, when would I see the higher amount (2019 earnings are part of the top 35 earning years). Is the recalculated increase paid retroactively? Also, with Dec 2019 as the election date, is that month's benefits subject to the earnings test for 2019?

Hi,

I answer questions submitted to this site, but I don't have access to customer data or results. If you have questions about the results you receive when using our software you should submit your questions using an online contact form in the help menu. Your question can then be answered by one of our experts with access to your data.

In general, though, if you apply for benefits choosing December 2019 as your month of election and you're under full retirement age (FRA) throughout that month, then yes you'd be subject to the 2019 earnings test. You could be paid for that month if you either earn below the annual earnings test exempt amount (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/whileworking.html) or if your December work and earnings don't exceed the monthly retirement test limits (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/rule.html).

Your 2019 earnings could not be used in calculating your benefit rate for the month of December 2019, but could be used to calculate your rate for benefits starting with January 2020. Social Security recomputes benefits automatically to credit additional earnings years, but you might be able to speed up the process by submitting proof of your earnings and requesting a manual recomputation after the year is over.

Best, Jerry