Will my CDs and investments affect Social Security retirement benefits at 63?

Good news! Your investments like CDs, stocks, bonds, and mutual funds don't count against your Social Security retirement benefits. They're considered assets, not earned income. The only income that can reduce your benefits when claiming before Full Retirement Age is EARNED income (like wages from a job or self-employment) above the annual earnings limit ($22,320 for 2025). Dividends, interest, and capital gains from your investments are considered UNEARNED income and don't count toward the earnings test. So your CDs and mutual funds won't affect your benefits at all. Just keep in mind that claiming at 63 means a permanent reduction of about 25% compared to waiting until your FRA at 67. Make sure that works for your long-term plan!

I was in the exact same position last year! Called SSA about twenty times trying to get a straight answer on this. What a NIGHTMARE. Spent hours on hold just to get disconnected. Finally found Claimyr (claimyr.com) which got me through to an actual agent in under 10 minutes. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU The agent confirmed investments don't affect benefits - only wages from work matter for the earnings test. I have way more in investments than you mentioned and had zero issues getting approved. Just FYI, they will ask about your work situation during the application though.

While CDs and investments don't affect your Social Security benefits, there are two important things to consider: 1. If your combined income (adjusted gross income + nontaxable interest + half of your SS benefits) exceeds certain thresholds, up to 85% of your benefits might become taxable. 2. For 2025, if you earn more than $22,320 from employment or self-employment, your benefits will be reduced by $1 for every $2 you earn above that limit until you reach Full Retirement Age. Since you're collecting at 63, you'll have a permanent reduction of approximately 25% from your full benefit amount. If you can afford to wait, each year you delay between now and 70 will increase your monthly benefit.

My sister took SS at 62 and REGRETS it SO MUCH. She gets almost $800 LESS every month than her friend who waited till 70!! If you don't absolutely need the money right now, PLEASE reconsider. Once you take early benefits, you're STUCK with that lower amount FOREVER. I don't think investments affect anything tho - it's only if you're still working at a job. The system is designed to PUNISH people who claim early and still work. Typical government nonsense.

Just want to add that SSI (Supplemental Security Income) DOES have asset limits, but regular Social Security retirement benefits don't. Sometimes people confuse the two programs. SSI has a $2,000 asset limit for individuals ($3,000 for couples), but that's a completely different program meant for low-income seniors and disabled people.

i filed at 63 too last yr. my investments didnt mess up anything but like someone else said the tax thing is annoying. i got a littl surprise at tax time lol. but the monthly benfit itself wasnt reduced at all from having investments. i sstill get dividends and interest and cds maturing fine with no problems

My aunt recently told me the Social Security Administration looks at ALL your finances when deciding how much to give you. She said her brother got less benefits because he had too many assets. But from what I'm reading here that doesn't sound right?