Can't find withdrawal form in my Social Security account - is online withdrawal possible?

You can't withdraw online. I tried doing this last year and ended up having to print out form SSA-521 and mail it in. Its annoying they make it so easy to apply but then make you jump through hoops to cancel! You might be able to fax it too, I'm not 100% sure.

The withdrawal process (Form SSA-521) cannot be completed online. You have three options: 1. Download and print the SSA-521 form from the SSA website, complete it, and mail it to your local Social Security office 2. Call and request they mail you the form 3. Visit your local office in person (appointment recommended) Remember that if you've already received benefits, you'll need to repay all benefits you and anyone else received based on your application. Also, be absolutely certain about withdrawing - you can only withdraw once in your lifetime.

my brother tried to withdraw his application but he waited too long. make sure you do it within 12 months! and remember you have to pay back any money you already got from them

I had a similar situation early this year and it was incredibly frustrating. After spending HOURS trying to reach someone at SSA to help with my withdrawal (kept getting disconnected or put on eternal hold), I found out about Claimyr.com which helped me get through to a representative in about 15 minutes instead of waiting for hours. They actually have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU The SSA rep confirmed what others have said - you can only withdraw by submitting form SSA-521 by mail, fax, or in person at an office. It's not available online. For something this important, I'd recommend getting it processed with a live person rather than trusting the mail system.

The fact that we can apply online but NOT withdraw online is RIDICULOUS!!! Just another example of how backward the SSA system is. I went through this nightmare last year and ended up having to take a day off work to go to the office in person because I didn't trust the mail would get there in time. Good luck!!!

Just to clarify an important point: while you're correct that you need to submit form SSA-521 to withdraw your application, there's a distinction between "withdrawal" and "suspension" of benefits. If you've already been approved and want to stop receiving benefits temporarily but don't want to formally withdraw, you can suspend your benefits by contacting SSA. Unlike withdrawal, suspension doesn't require repayment of benefits already received, and you can restart at any time with increased benefits due to delayed retirement credits. This might be another option depending on your specific situation.

when i tried to withdraw mine the lady at the ssa office told me i should think about it for a couple more days before submitting the withdrawal form... she said lots of people change their mind back and forth. just something to think about since you only applied last week maybe give it a few more days?

After you submit the withdrawal form make sure to follow up! My cousin submitted his withdrawal form and they somehow lost it. He had to submit it again and almost missed the 12-month deadline. The SSA is a mess these days!

Just wanted to add that if you're planning to visit your local SSA office in person, you can use the SSA office locator on their website to find your nearest location and their specific hours. Some offices have different procedures for walk-ins versus appointments, so definitely call ahead. Also, bring a copy of your Social Security card and photo ID when you go. I've found that having all your documentation ready speeds up the process significantly. Good luck with your withdrawal - sounds like you've thought it through carefully!

I went through this exact same process about 8 months ago and can confirm what others have said - there's absolutely no way to withdraw online, which is incredibly frustrating given how easy they make it to apply! I ended up downloading the SSA-521 form from their website, filling it out completely, and hand-delivering it to my local SSA office. I'd strongly recommend going in person rather than mailing it - that way you get a receipt showing they received it and you don't have to worry about it getting lost in the mail. Make sure to bring photo ID and your Social Security card. The whole process took about 20 minutes once I got to the window. One tip: when you fill out the form, be very clear about your reasons for withdrawing (wanting to wait until FRA for higher benefits is totally valid). They processed mine within about 2 weeks and I received a confirmation letter. Since you just applied last week, you have plenty of time before that 12-month deadline, but definitely don't procrastinate on this!

I'm going through something similar right now! Applied for early retirement benefits a few weeks ago and having second thoughts about the reduced payments. Reading through all these responses has been really helpful - it's good to know I'm not the only one who found the online application easy but then got stuck trying to figure out how to withdraw. The consensus seems clear that you have to use form SSA-521 and can't do it online, which is really disappointing. I'm leaning toward taking the form to my local office in person like some of you suggested, especially after hearing about forms getting lost in the mail. Has anyone had success with faxing the form instead of mailing or going in person? My local office is pretty far away so if faxing is reliable that might be my best option.

I'm in a very similar boat - applied for early retirement benefits about a month ago and now realizing I should wait until my full retirement age for the higher monthly payments. This thread has been incredibly helpful! Based on everyone's experiences, it sounds like the process is pretty straightforward once you get past the frustrating fact that you can't do it online. I'm planning to download the SSA-521 form today and take it to my local office in person next week. The idea of getting a receipt showing they received it gives me much more confidence than mailing it and hoping for the best. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it's reassuring to know that others have successfully navigated this process recently. Emily, I hope your withdrawal goes smoothly! It sounds like you've made a well-informed decision about waiting until FRA.

I just went through this exact process two months ago and wanted to share a few additional tips that might help. First, when you download the SSA-521 form, make sure you're getting it directly from ssa.gov - there are some unofficial sites that have outdated versions. Second, if you decide to visit the office in person (which I'd recommend), try to go early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid the lunch rush. I went at 2 PM and barely waited 10 minutes. Also, don't forget to sign and date the form - sounds obvious but the person ahead of me in line had to fill out a new form because they missed the signature! One last thing: when they give you the receipt, take a photo of it with your phone as backup. The paper receipts from SSA can fade pretty quickly. You're making a smart financial decision by waiting until FRA - the extra monthly income will definitely be worth it in the long run!

I went through this same situation about 6 months ago and can definitely relate to your frustration! Like everyone else has confirmed, there's unfortunately no way to withdraw your application online - you have to use the paper form SSA-521. I ended up going to my local SSA office in person, and I'm really glad I did because I got immediate confirmation that they received my withdrawal request. One thing I'd add that I don't think anyone mentioned yet: when you fill out the form, there's a section asking for your reason for withdrawal. I was honest and wrote that I wanted to wait until my full retirement age for higher benefits, and the representative told me that was a very common and completely valid reason. Don't feel like you need to justify your decision - it's your right to withdraw within that 12-month window. Also, just a heads up that they'll ask you to confirm that you understand this is a one-time-only option. It sounds like you've already done your homework on this, but they're required to make sure you know you can't withdraw again in the future if you change your mind. The whole process was actually pretty painless once I got to the office. Definitely make an appointment if possible - it'll save you a lot of waiting time. Good luck with everything!