Ask Larry

Is It True That You Can Somehow Reapply To Get Your Benefits Increased?

I started getting SS benefits when I retired at 62. I will be 68 in December. Is it true you can somehow "reapply" to get your benefits increased since you are now 6 years older?

Hi. No. If you start drawing benefits prior to your full retirement age (FRA) the reduction for age applied to your benefit rate is permanent. Social Security does allow people to withdraw a claim for retirement benefits and re-apply later, but only if they repay all of the benefits they've been paid and if they file the withdrawal request within 12 months of when they originally started drawing benefits.

The only way that you could increase your benefit rate is to work and earn more than you did in one of 35 highest earnings years that were used to compute your current benefit rate, or if you voluntarily suspend your benefits between now and age 70 to earn delayed retirement credits.

Best, Jerry

Category: 
Posted: 
Apr 30 2021 - 7:49am
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