Thanks everyone for the helpful responses! Sounds like waiting those extra months after I retire in June will definitely be worth it for the permanent increase. I've decided to go ahead with my plan, but I now understand it's the number of months delayed that matters, not specifically waiting for my birthday. I'll probably file in January or February next year to get those extra delay credits.

Great decision, Freya! Just wanted to add one more consideration since you mentioned retiring in June but not filing until January/February - make sure you understand how this impacts your taxes. Those delay credits will increase your monthly benefit permanently, but remember that Social Security benefits can be taxable depending on your other income. Since you'll have earned income for part of 2025, it might be worth running the numbers with a tax professional to see if there's an optimal filing month from a tax perspective. Sometimes spreading the income across tax years can be beneficial. Good luck with your retirement!

I want to thank everyone for all the helpful responses! To summarize what I've learned: 1) Yes, my earnings for all of 2025 will count, even after I turn 70 in May. 2) If 2025 ends up being one of my highest 35 years of earnings, it could replace a lower year and increase my benefit. 3) The adjustment should happen automatically through the AERO system around October 2026, but it's good to follow up if I don't see a change. 4) Any increase would be retroactive to January 2026. I feel much better about continuing to work now, knowing it might still boost my monthly check!

Great question and even better summary of all the answers! One small addition - if you want to get a rough estimate of how much your 2025 earnings might increase your benefit, you can use the SSA's online benefit calculators or check your earnings record on myssa.gov. Since Social Security uses your highest 35 years of indexed earnings, you can see which year might get replaced. Even a modest increase of $20-30/month adds up to hundreds per year for the rest of your life, so definitely worth continuing to work if you're enjoying it and earning well!

Anybody know if you can change the withholding percentage later if you need to? Like if I start with 10% but realize I need more taken out?

For what it's worth, I'd recommend calculating roughly what you'll owe before picking your withholding percentage. You can use the IRS worksheet in Publication 915 to estimate how much of your SS benefits will be taxable based on your total income. That way you're not over-withholding and giving the government an interest-free loan all year. I made that mistake my first year - had them withhold 22% when I only needed about 8% based on my actual tax situation.

Just want to add one more tip from my experience - when you submit your W-4V form, keep a copy for your records and consider sending it certified mail or delivering it in person to get a receipt. I mailed mine last year and it got "lost" somewhere in the system, which delayed my withholding by an additional month. Also, once your withholding starts, you'll see it clearly labeled on your monthly benefit statement, so you can track that it's actually happening. Good luck getting this sorted out!

As someone new to this community, I want to thank everyone for such detailed and helpful responses! I'm in a similar situation - just started receiving SS benefits and completely overlooked the tax withholding aspect. Reading through all these comments has been incredibly educational. A few things I'm taking away: 1) The W-4V form with only 4 percentage options (7%, 10%, 12%, 22%), 2) The 1-2 month processing delay, 3) The importance of considering your total income picture, and 4) That certified mail or hand delivery might be the safest way to submit. I'm definitely going to use the IRS Withholding Estimator tool and possibly consult with a tax professional before choosing my percentage. This thread should honestly be pinned as a resource for new SS recipients!