SS retirement benefits already filed - can I withdraw and delay for higher amount due to IRMAA issues?

Yes, you can withdraw your application since payments haven't started yet. You need to submit form SSA-521 (Request for Withdrawal of Application) as soon as possible. The good news is that by delaying your start date, your benefit amount will increase by 8% per year (or about 0.67% per month) after your FRA of 67. So delaying from January 2026 to January 2027 would give you approximately 8% more in monthly benefits for life. The IRMAA calculation is based on your tax return from 2 years prior, so your 2026 IRMAA will actually be based on your 2024 income. But you're smart to consider how your 2026 income will affect your 2028 Medicare premiums. Planning around IRMAA thresholds can save significant money.

Adding to what was already shared - the SSA-521 withdrawal request must be filed within 12 months of when your benefits were approved (not when they start paying). And yes, absolutely your benefit amount will continue to grow until age 70 if you delay. After 70, there's no additional increase for waiting. One important thing to note: if you're still working at your state job, are you part of a pension system that might trigger WEP or GPO reductions to your Social Security? This is something many state employees face and it can significantly impact your SS benefit amount regardless of when you claim.

your not locked into anything if you havent gotten a payment yet. i changed my mind 3 times before i finally settled on my start date lol. the SSA will let you withdraw as long as you havent gotten any $$ yet. and yeah you'll get more money if you wait longer to start, until age 70 then it stops going up anymore

The IRMAA thing is a NIGHTMARE!!! I got caught in this trap last year and ended up paying an extra $2,400 in Medicare premiums because I sold some stock the year before I retired. NO ONE at Social Security warned me about this and I'm STILL fighting with them about it. If I were you, I'd withdraw your application RIGHT NOW and really think carefully about your income timing. The 2-year lookback for IRMAA means your 2024 income determines your 2026 premiums, and so on. Also, don't expect Social Security to give you good guidance on this. They'll tell you to talk to Medicare, Medicare will tell you to talk to Social Security... it's a maddening circle of bureaucracy!!

I went through this exact situation last year. Couldn't get through to SSA for weeks to discuss my options. After nearly giving up, I found a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to a real SSA agent in about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU The agent confirmed I could withdraw my application using form SSA-521 since benefits hadn't started yet. They also explained that my benefit would indeed increase by delaying - the monthly increase is about 0.67% for each month after FRA up to age 70. Regarding IRMAA, they suggested I look into Form SSA-44 for when I do retire, as it allows you to request a reduction in IRMAA due to a life-changing event like retirement. Definitely worth knowing about!

my sister had this exact problem!!! she just called SSA and they canceled her application over the phone, didnt even need a form. but that was back in 2020 so maybe rules changed?? anyway she waited another year to start and her check is like $200 more a month so definitely worth it if you can wait!!!!

I'm confused about something - you said you're turning 67 in January 2026 and that's your FRA. But if you were born in January 1959, your FRA would be 66 and 10 months, not 67. Are you sure about your FRA? This could affect your calculations. The SSA calculates your benefit amount based on your exact FRA, so even being off by a couple months could change your numbers.

One more thing to consider: if you're still working at your state job while collecting Social Security before reaching age 70, make sure you understand how that might affect your taxes. Up to 85% of your Social Security benefits can be taxable depending on your combined income. This tax situation, combined with IRMAA considerations, makes it worth running detailed calculations or even consulting with a financial advisor who specializes in retirement planning for government employees. The right timing can make a difference of tens of thousands of dollars over your retirement.

did u know that if u work for a state that doesnt pay into SS (like some do and some dont) it can really mess up ur benefits? my cousin lost like half his SS because of something called windfall elimination provision. just mentioning in case ur state job is one of those???