Need to dis-enroll from Social Security at 64 to work full-time - what's the process and downside?

Yes, you can withdraw your Social Security application, but there are important conditions to understand: 1. You have ONE YEAR from when you started receiving benefits to withdraw your application (using Form SSA-521) 2. You must repay ALL benefits you've received so far, including any Medicare premiums or tax withholding 3. If you withdraw and then reapply later, your benefit amount will be higher because you'll get delayed retirement credits (about 8% per year between FRA and age 70) Alternatively, since you're under Full Retirement Age, you could just let Social Security reduce your benefits under the earnings test. For every $2 you earn above the annual limit, they withhold $1 in benefits. These withheld benefits aren't lost forever - they recalculate and increase your benefit amount once you reach FRA. Honestly, the withdrawal might not be worth it if you've been collecting for several months already - that's a lot of money to pay back!

Congrats on finding a good job! Just remember the earnings limit is per calendar year, not monthly. So if you've already gotten some SS checks this year, you need to calculate how many months are left in the year and what you'll earn in those months to see if you'll go over the limit. 👍

Wait I'm confused! I thought once you start getting Social Security you CANT stop it?? My husband tried to do this and they said no?? Did the rules change recently or something? He's 68 now and we really regret him taking it at 63 because we're still working. Wish someone had explained all this better!!!

The SSA is DELIBERATELY confusing about this stuff!!! They don't want people to know all the rules and options. I had to fight with THREE different agents who all told me different things about my widow benefits. This is why so many people get screwed out of their full benefits. And good luck trying to call them to sort it out - you'll spend HOURS on hold only to get disconnected!!!

my brother had to pay back like $14,000 when he did this last year. make sure u got that money saved up before u apply to withdraw

Another option to consider: if the new job offers good health insurance, you could potentially opt out of Medicare Part B and save on those premiums (about $175/month in 2025). You'd need to fill out form CMS-1763 to disenroll from Part B. Just be sure to re-enroll when you actually retire to avoid late enrollment penalties. For your original question, the withdrawal process using Form SSA-521 is straightforward, but as others mentioned, you must repay all benefits received. Have you considered instead asking Social Security to suspend your benefits? You wouldn't have to repay anything, and you'd earn delayed retirement credits for each month of suspension until age 70.

Just to clarify an important point: You can only SUSPEND benefits after you reach Full Retirement Age (which is 66+10 months for someone born in 1959). Before FRA, your only options are to withdraw (with full repayment) or work and have benefits reduced by the earnings test. If you're planning to work for several more years, letting the earnings test reduce your benefits might be simplest. When you reach FRA, Social Security will recalculate your benefit amount to give credit for months when benefits were withheld.

make sure u tell ss when u start the new job. they dont automatically know ur working and if they find out later ull have a big overpayment to deal with!!