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For the indexing thing - just know that they only use your highest 35 years of earnings when figuring ur benefit. If u worked 42 yrs like u said, they'll throw out ur 7 lowest-earning years. Also they adjust all those earnings to current dollars befor calculating. its complicated!!!
Thanks, that's helpful to know. I had a few years early in my career with very low earnings, so I'm glad those won't drag down my benefit amount.
I had a similar situation with the tax withholding issue. I'd recommend selecting the 12% option on the W-4V unless you have significant other income. The 7% is rarely enough to cover the tax liability for most retirees with pension or investment income. After you submit the form, you can check your mySocialSecurity account about 30-45 days later to verify the new withholding amount is being applied correctly. Regarding the indexing factors, it's also worth knowing that earnings after age 60 aren't indexed (they're counted at face value), which can make understanding the formula a bit confusing.
That's really good information about the 12% - I was planning to just choose 10% but maybe I should go higher. I do have some investment income and a small pension. And I didn't know about the age 60 cutoff for indexing - thank you!
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To clarify a key point that's causing confusion: Once you reach age 70, there is NO BENEFIT to waiting longer to apply. Age 70 is the maximum age for delayed retirement credits (DRCs). If you're already 70 in 2025, you should apply now. Waiting until 2026 will not increase your benefit amount through DRCs. The only thing that could potentially increase your benefit by waiting would be if you're still working and replacing a lower-earning year in your calculation with a higher-earning 2025 year. The difference between someone who turned 70 and applied in 2024 versus 2025 is due to the wage indexing in the initial calculation, not because of some advantage to waiting past 70.
Thank you for emphasizing this! I'll definitely apply now rather than waiting. My highest earnings years were already within my top 35, so working longer wouldn't help my calculation anyway. I appreciate everyone's help in understanding this confusing system!
wait so if I'm turning 66 this year should I wait till 70? will I get more $$$ that way? or should I just take it now? i'm so confused by all this!!!!
That's a different question from what the original poster asked, but generally: Yes, waiting until 70 will give you a significantly higher monthly benefit (approximately 32% more than at your full retirement age of 66). Whether that's the right choice depends on your health, financial situation, and other factors. But if you're trying to maximize your lifetime benefit and expect to live past roughly age 80, waiting is mathematically advantageous.
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im 66 and my husband is 70 can i do this too
It depends on your birth date. Were you born before January 2, 1954? If yes, then you can file a restricted application for spousal benefits only (assuming your husband is already receiving his benefits). If you were born January 2, 1954 or later, then you cannot use this strategy - you'd be subject to deemed filing rules.
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THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS RIGGED!!!! They got rid of file and suspend, they eliminated restricted application, they tax our benefits, and they STILL haven't fixed the WEP/GPO problems!!! When will Congress stop treating seniors like ATM machines????
While there are certainly issues with how Social Security has evolved, the changes to file and suspend and restricted application were actually intended to eliminate strategies that primarily benefited higher-income households. Most people who could afford to delay benefits were higher earners. That said, I do agree that more transparency and consistency in the rules would help everyone.
Thank you all for the helpful information. I'm disappointed but at least now I understand my options better. I think I'll wait until 70 to maximize my benefit since I can afford to do so at this point. It's frustrating that the rules changed and eliminated this strategy, but I appreciate everyone taking the time to explain it so clearly!
That's a good decision if you can afford it. Every year you wait after your FRA adds approximately 8% to your lifetime benefit amount, and that increase is permanent and includes future COLAs. At current life expectancies for women your age, waiting until 70 tends to pay off in the long run.
Fatima Al-Suwaidi
I've been dealing with Social Security for YEARS and this is nothing new. They NEVER update their systems on time. My husband and I both got caught in the confusion when the FRA changed years ago. The website said one thing, the phone people said another thing, and the office staff said something completely different! Then they have the nerve to blame YOU when their mistakes cause problems. Do NOT trust what one agent tells you - always get a second opinion and GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING!!!
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StarSailor
•This happened to my cousin too! She was told different things by different people and ended up missing out on 6 months of benefits. Makes me nervous about applying myself next year.
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GalacticGuru
Update: After reading all your helpful comments, I decided to try calling. After THREE HOURS on hold, I finally got through to someone. They confirmed that yes, for WEP/GPO repeal cases, phone or in-person are the only options right now. They're "working on updating the website" but couldn't give a timeframe. So frustrating! The agent was actually very helpful once I got through and started my mother-in-law's application. They'll be mailing her some forms to complete and return. Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions!
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Dylan Cooper
•Glad you got through! Make sure she keeps copies of EVERYTHING she sends them. And note the date the forms were mailed back. If they claim they never received something (happens all the time), having proof of when it was sent can make a big difference. Also, if she has MySSA account, she can check the status online even though she couldn't apply online.
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Giovanni Mancini
•3 hours!!! thats actually not bad compared to what some people r waiting lol. glad u got through
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