Can I start Social Security at FRA in December despite exceeding 2024 income limits?

Yes, you absolutely can start your benefits in the month you reach your Full Retirement Age! Once you hit FRA, the earnings test no longer applies - even if it's mid-year. The earnings limit only affects benefits before you reach FRA. For the month you actually reach FRA and all months after, you can earn unlimited income with no reduction to your benefits. So for your December benefits (paid in January), your previous earnings in 2024 won't matter at all.

i had the EXACT same situation last year!! turned 67 in december and started benefits that month. they didn't care at ALL about my income from earlier in the year. you're good to go!

When exactly should I apply though? My birthday's also in December (the 10th) and I'm confused about WHEN to submit my application. Can I do it now or do I have to wait until December? Does it matter what day in December I apply? The SSA website is so frustrating to navigate!!!

Just wondering - have you considered waiting until January to start? Your benefit increases every month you delay after FRA up until age 70. Each year you wait is roughly an 8% increase for life. Just something to think about if you're still working anyway.

I had a really similar situation when I turned FRA. The month you reach full retirement age, the earnings test disappears completely. For the months BEFORE your FRA month in the same year, there's a higher earnings limit (around $59,520 for 2024), and they only withhold $1 in benefits for every $3 you earn over that limit. But none of that matters for you since you're only collecting starting in your FRA month! One thing though - make sure your application clearly indicates December as your benefit start month. Sometimes the default is to start benefits as soon as possible, which could accidentally give you benefits for months before your FRA when the earnings test would apply.

I've been trying to reach someone at SSA for WEEKS about almost the exact same question! I keep getting disconnected or waiting for hours. Finally tried a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got a callback from SSA in under 2 hours. They connect you directly to an agent so you can ask these specific questions. There's a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU Anyway, the agent confirmed what others are saying - the earnings limit completely goes away the month you reach FRA. They only care about earnings before your FRA month, and even then, they only withhold benefits for those earlier months, not for the month you reach FRA and beyond.

My husband went through this last yr. Didn't matter what he earned Jan-Oct, once he hit FRA in Nov all the rules changed. Make sure u check if ur state taxes SS too, lots of people forget about that part!

Just to add a bit more clarity on the technical aspects: There are actually two different earnings tests: 1. The annual earnings test for people who won't reach FRA during the year (limit of $22,320 for 2024) 2. The higher monthly earnings test for the year you reach FRA, which only counts earnings before your FRA month (limit of $59,520 for 2024) In your case, since you're only starting benefits in your FRA month (December), neither test applies to you. Your benefits starting with December (paid in January) won't be affected by any earnings, before or after your FRA.