Can I withdraw my SS retirement application at 62 after applying but before receiving benefits?
Hi everyone, I'm in a bit of a predicament. Back in March I submitted my application to start receiving my SS retirement benefits early at 62. I was all set on retiring and figured I'd take the reduced benefit amount. Well, life threw me a curveball and I just got offered a job that I really want to take! The salary is actually pretty decent and now I'm thinking I should wait until at least my FRA to claim benefits. The thing is, I haven't received my first payment yet. Is it possible to withdraw my application at this point? Has anyone done this before? What's the process like to undo my application? Really hoping I haven't locked myself into the reduced benefit amount forever. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
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Ethan Scott
Yes you CAN withdraw your application! I went through this exact situation last year when I found a contracting gig after filing. You need to submit a "Request for Withdrawal of Application" (Form SSA-521). The important thing is you MUST do this before you receive your first payment or you'll be stuck with a much more complicated process called suspending benefits which isn't the same thing. Call SSA right away!!
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Genevieve Cavalier
•Oh thank goodness! That's such a relief to hear. Do you know if I need to visit the office in person to submit that form or can I do it online? I've been trying to call but keep getting the busy signal.
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Lola Perez
You have 12 months from when you first started receiving benefits to withdraw your application, but since you haven't received any payments yet, this should be fairly straightforward. Just keep in mind that if you DO receive a payment before withdrawing, you'll have to pay back ALL benefits you received. Also important: you only get ONE withdrawal in your lifetime, so be certain about your decision. This way you can reapply later when it makes more financial sense.
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Nathaniel Stewart
•This is only PARTLY correct. The 12-month rule is for withdrawing AFTER receiving benefits. In the OP's case, they haven't received any payments yet, which makes it MUCH easier. But YES about the one-time-only withdrawal limitation - that's 100% accurate and VERY important!! You don't want to waste your one chance.
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Riya Sharma
congrts on the new job! i did something similar but waited too long and had to pay back like 3 checks. not fun. make sure u call them asap
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Genevieve Cavalier
•Thanks! Yeah, I definitely don't want to have to pay anything back. I'm going to try to get this sorted out immediately.
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Santiago Diaz
Just wondering - have you considered whether taking a job might actually work WITH taking Social Security? Depending on how much you'll earn, you might still be able to keep some benefits even with the earnings test. I'm in a similar position (62, working part-time, collecting partial SS) and it's working out for me. Just a thought!
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Millie Long
•This is generally not a good strategy for most people. If you're earning a decent wage, the earnings limit ($22,320 for 2025 if under FRA) will cause benefits to be withheld at $1 for every $2 earned above that amount. While you do get credit back later at FRA for withheld amounts, most people would mathematically come out ahead by just waiting to claim until they fully retire or reach FRA. Each situation is different though - depends on health, financial needs, and expected longevity.
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KaiEsmeralda
I tried calling SSA for THREE DAYS about changing my application last month!!! Kept getting busy signals or disconnected. FINALLY got through using Claimyr (claimyr.com). They got me connected to an agent in under 20 minutes when I'd been trying for days. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU - absolutely worth it for time-sensitive issues like yours!
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Riya Sharma
•omg thank u for sharing this! i spent like 4 hrs on hold last week trying to fix my direct deposit info. def gonna try this next time
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Millie Long
To add some important details: Form SSA-521 (Request for Withdrawal of Application) can be mailed or delivered to your local office. You cannot submit it online. Make sure you clearly state on the form that you found employment and wish to continue working. Also worth noting: if you decide to continue working until your Full Retirement Age (which would be 67 if you were born in 1963 or later), your benefit amount will be approximately 30% higher than claiming at 62. Working longer also potentially increases your lifetime earnings record, which could further boost your benefit calculation.
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Genevieve Cavalier
•Thank you for this detailed information! This helps a lot. I was born in 1962, so my FRA is 66 and 10 months. The 30% increase in benefits definitely makes me think waiting is the right choice since this job should last at least a few years.
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Nathaniel Stewart
WATCH OUT! I filed for SS at 62 then changed my mind after receiving 2 payments. Had to pay EVERYTHING back and the paperwork was a NIGHTMARE!! The SSA kept losing my forms and I had to resubmit TWICE!!! The whole process took almost 4 months to resolve. If you haven't received payments yet you should be OK but DOCUMENT EVERYTHING and get confirmation numbers for EVERY conversation!!! The SSA is a MESS right now with backlogs!!
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KaiEsmeralda
•This is why I ended up using that Claimyr service. The office near me is perpetually understaffed and they lose paperwork constantly. At least when you talk to someone on the phone you can get their name and a confirmation number for the conversation.
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Ethan Scott
After you submit the withdrawal form, make sure you get written confirmation that it was processed! When I did mine, I assumed everything was fine until I suddenly got a direct deposit three weeks later. Turned out they had a backlog and hadn't processed my withdrawal. Created a huge headache having to return the payment.
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Genevieve Cavalier
•That's really good advice - I'll definitely make sure to follow up and get written confirmation. I don't want any surprises down the road!
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