Hello Larry, I retired at 68 in October, 2018. I earned 59K in 2019, 30K more than one of the years included in my 35 year look back. I was told by a social security representative that this amount would not make much of a difference in a recalculation of my benefit and would not qualify for a reconsideration. Is this true? If not, how does one proceed in asking for a recalculation?

Hi,

Any earnings that would increase your benefit rate by at least $1 makes you eligible to have your benefit rate recomputed. Social Security runs an automated earnings recomputation process annually in the fall, so if your 2019 earnings were higher than one of your previous highest 35 years of Social Security covered wage-indexed earnings then your benefit rate should probably already have been increased by now. If that hasn't been done and if you think that you should be due a higher amount, you could submit proof of your 2019 earnings (i.e. W-2 for wages or Schedule SE for self-employment) to Social Security along with a written request for a manual recomputation.

Best, Jerry