Ask Larry

Is It True That My Earnings After Age 70 Can't Be Considered In Calculating My Benefits?

I was told that all my earnings after age 70 (when I started benefits) are NOT considered in calculating my benefits, even if they are my highest earnings years. Is that true?

Hi,

No, that's not true. Your earnings can be used in the calculation of your benefit rate no matter what your age is at the time you had the earnings. Your Social Security retirement benefit rate is based on your highest 35 years of wage-indexed earnings (https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10070.pdf), and your benefit rate can be recalculated after any year in which you earn more than you did in one of your previous highest 35 years.

Best, Jerry

Posted: 
Oct 17 2019 - 10:50am
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