Social Security benefit calculator confusion for delayed retirement past FRA - getting different amounts from reps

The most accurate calculator for delayed retirement is on the SSA website - it's called the Retirement Estimator (https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/estimator.html). It uses your actual earnings record to calculate your benefit. The differences you're getting from reps might be because they're looking at different years of earnings or making different assumptions about future earnings. To get the most accurate figure, you need to create a my Social Security account online and view your personalized statement. It will show exactly what you'll receive at different claiming ages based on your actual earnings history. The 8% per year increase for delaying past FRA is applied automatically in these calculations. One important thing - make sure all reps are using your correct earnings history, especially your highest 35 years of indexed earnings. Sometimes they miss years or use outdated information.

I went through something similar when I delayed to 70. The problem is that some reps include COLA adjustments differently or make different assumptions about your earnings record. Here's what you need to do: 1. Ask specifically for your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) 2. Then ask how they're calculating your delayed retirement credits (DRCs) 3. Request a detailed breakdown of the calculation Also, double-check if they're including any potential WEP/GPO reductions if you have a pension from non-covered employment. That often causes discrepancies. I ultimately had to make an in-person appointment to get a written explanation of my benefit calculation. Once I had that, I could verify everything was correct.

UGH THIS IS SO TYPICAL OF SSA!!! I had the EXACT same problem when I filed last year. Every person tells you something different and then YOU'RE the one who has to deal with overpayment notices later! I got hit with a $4,200 "overpayment" bill 8 months after I started receiving benefits because THEY calculated wrong initially. Then I had to spend WEEKS trying to fix their mistake. The whole system is designed to confuse us and then punish us for their errors. DOCUMENT EVERYTHING! Get names of who you speak with, reference numbers for calls, and insist on written explanations. Don't trust anything they tell you verbally!

my sister had this happen to sge called like 4 times got different ansers every time. ended up being almost $300 less than what the first person told her. doesnt make any sense how they cant just give u the right answer the first time

I experienced something similar when filing at 69. I found that asking specifically for a "DETAILED BENEFIT CALCULATION" made a difference. Regular reps sometimes use simplified calculations, but there's a specific process for delayed retirement credits. Have you tried using Claimyr to reach SSA? I was getting nowhere with regular calls, but used claimyr.com to connect with an agent in minutes instead of hours on hold. Was able to request a tier 2 specialist who could properly calculate delayed retirement benefits. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU showing how it works. I finally got connected to someone who walked through my entire calculation, explaining each step. Once you get the detailed calculation, verify these specific elements: - Base PIA amount - Exact number of delayed retirement credit months (each month = 2/3 of 1%) - Any COLA adjustments since your FRA Good luck!

I waited till 67 to file and got different answers too, but mine only varied by like $40. Almost $200 difference seems really unusual. Are you sure they were all looking at the same earnings record? Sometimes they miss years or have incorrect income amounts for some years. Just a thought.

What you're experiencing is actually common with delayed retirement benefits. Here's why different representatives might be giving different figures: 1. **Calculation Complexity**: Your benefit involves your base Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), delayed retirement credits (DRCs), and Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs) applied at different times in the calculation. 2. **COLA Application**: Some representatives might apply COLAs differently to your delayed retirement credits, which can cause discrepancies. 3. **Indexing Factors**: The calculation uses complex indexing factors for your earnings history. The most accurate approach is to request a "PEBES" (Personal Earnings and Benefit Estimate Statement) with detailed calculation methodology. This requires speaking with a Technical Expert or Claims Specialist, not just a regular service representative. You can also use the "Detailed Calculator" (AnyPIA) which SSA employees use, available at: https://www.ssa.gov/OACT/anypia/anypia.html However, this software is quite complex and designed for professionals. Don't worry too much about overpayments for calculation errors - if SSA makes the error in calculation (rather than you providing incorrect information), they often waive repayment under administrative error provisions.

Another thing to check - are they including your Medicare Part B premium deduction in some calculations but not others? That's currently $174.70/month for most people in 2025, and sometimes reps will quote your benefit amount before the Medicare deduction, sometimes after. That could explain nearly $175 of the difference right there.

my uncle says just take the higher number and dont ask questions lol. but seriously they should all be using the same calculator right?? makes u wonder if theyre just making up numbers sometimes

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - delayed until 69 and getting different numbers from different reps. What I've learned is that you need to be very specific about what you're asking for. Here's what helped me: 1. **Ask for your exact PIA first** - this is your base benefit at full retirement age 2. **Request the DRC calculation separately** - 8% per year (or 2/3% per month) for each month past FRA 3. **Clarify if they're including Medicare Part B deductions** - this can be $174.70/month difference 4. **Ask which COLA adjustments they're applying and when** - this affects the final calculation I also found it helpful to schedule an in-person appointment at my local SSA office. The field office staff seemed more knowledgeable about delayed retirement calculations than the 1-800 number representatives. They were able to print out a detailed benefit calculation worksheet that showed exactly how they arrived at my final benefit amount. Don't give up - you deserve an accurate calculation after delaying your benefits to get those credits!

I'm actually going through this exact same situation right now! I'm 67 and delayed past my FRA, and when I called SSA last week I got two completely different benefit amounts from two different representatives - one said $2,890 and another said $3,120. That's a $230 difference! Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful. I had no idea there were Technical Experts vs regular reps, or that Medicare Part B deductions might explain some of the discrepancy. I'm definitely going to try the approach of asking for my PIA separately, then the DRC calculation, and clarifying whether Medicare deductions are included. Has anyone here actually used that AnyPIA calculator that was mentioned? I'm curious if it's user-friendly enough for someone without a background in benefits administration, or if it's really just meant for professionals. I'm willing to tackle it if it might give me more confidence in the numbers I'm getting from SSA. Also planning to schedule an in-person appointment at my local field office based on the suggestion here. Fingers crossed they can provide that detailed calculation worksheet!

I'm a newcomer here but have been following this discussion with great interest as I'm approaching a similar decision point. At 65, I'm considering delaying my benefits past FRA to maximize my retirement income, but reading about all these calculation discrepancies is honestly making me second-guess that strategy. What strikes me most is how many of you experienced professionals are struggling to get consistent information from SSA representatives. If people who clearly understand the system are having these issues, it makes me wonder what chance someone like me has of getting accurate information. A few questions for the group: 1. For those who eventually got accurate calculations, how long did the process take from first inquiry to final resolution? 2. Would you still recommend delaying benefits given these administrative challenges, or would it be safer to file at FRA to avoid potential overpayment issues? 3. Has anyone tried working with a fee-based financial advisor who specializes in Social Security claiming strategies to help navigate these calculations? I'm particularly concerned about the overpayment scenarios mentioned here. The idea of receiving incorrect benefits for months and then owing thousands back to SSA is terrifying when you're on a fixed income. Any advice on how to protect yourself from that situation would be greatly appreciated!

As someone who works in benefits administration (though not for SSA), I can shed some light on why you're getting different numbers from different representatives. The delayed retirement credit calculation involves several moving parts that can be interpreted differently: 1. **System Access Levels**: Not all SSA representatives have access to the same calculation tools. Some use simplified estimators while others can access the full benefit calculation system. 2. **Earnings Record Timing**: Your earnings record might still be updating from recent tax years, and different reps might be looking at different "snapshots" of your data. 3. **COLA Application Method**: There's complexity in how COLAs are applied to delayed retirement credits, and this is where many discrepancies occur. I'd recommend specifically asking for a "Technical Benefit Calculation" and requesting they use the POMS (Program Operations Manual System) guidelines for delayed retirement credits. This ensures they're following the official methodology rather than using shortcuts. Also, consider requesting a "benefit verification letter" once you start receiving payments - this documents the official calculation and can protect you if there are later disputes about overpayments. The frustration is real, but don't let the administrative confusion overshadow the significant financial benefit you'll get from those delayed retirement credits!