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Q&A: Social Security benefits confusion

December 10, 2018 By Liz Weston

Dear Liz: In a past column, you discussed a potentially advantageous option for people who started Social Security early. You wrote that when they reached full retirement age, they could suspend their benefits and allow them to grow by earning delayed retirement credits. I am turning 66 this month and have been collecting Social Security benefits since age 62.

I went to a local Social Security field office to request the suspension but was told this option is not available. They couldn’t provide definitive documentation to support their statements but said that by starting benefits at 62 the option to suspend and earn delayed credits from 66 to age 70 doesn’t apply. Can you please clarify your comments and, if correct, suggest how I might be able to convince the representatives at the local office that it is still an option? I have been speaking to a supposed “expert” at the office, not the first person screening my request.

Answer: Unfortunately, the advice you get from local Social Security offices isn’t always accurate.

The representatives you talked to may be confusing benefit suspension with the so-called “file and suspend” option, which Congress eliminated a few years ago. With file and suspend, a higher wage earner could file an application for benefits and immediately suspend it. This allowed a married partner to start claiming spousal benefits while the higher earner’s benefit could continue to grow. Under current rules, partners can claim spousal benefits only if the primary earner is actually receiving retirement benefits.

For those not familiar with Social Security claiming strategies: It’s generally advantageous to wait as long as possible to apply for retirement benefits. The amount you can get grows at roughly 7% annually between age 62, which is the earliest you can apply, and your full retirement age, which is currently 66 but which will gradually rise to 67 for people born in 1960 and later. Between your full retirement age and age 70, you can earn so-called “delayed retirement credits” that further boost your check by 8% each year.

If you start early and realize you made a mistake, you can suspend your benefits at your full retirement age. Your checks will stop, but you don’t have to repay past benefits. And the amount you receive — although still reduced by your early start — can earn delayed retirement credits.

This probably isn’t a good option if you have other people drawing benefits based on your record, such as spouses or dependent children, because the suspension would stop their benefits as well.

Suspension also is different from the “do over” option that allows you to repay any benefits you’ve received and completely restart the clock on your benefits, as if you’d never started them. That option is allowed only in the first 12 months after your initial application.

Given that your local reps are confused, you should point them to the Social Security Administration’s web page on the matter.

It couldn’t be clearer. The first sentence reads: “If you have reached full retirement age, but are not yet age 70, you can ask us to suspend retirement benefit payments.” The page goes on to say your benefits will be automatically restarted at age 70, when those benefits max out, but you can restart at any time before that if you want.

Filed Under: Q&A, Social Security Tagged With: benefits, q&a, Social Security

Friday’s need-to-know money news

December 7, 2018 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: New scoring could help credit-shy millennials. Also in the news: Giving yourself the gift of a $0 credit card balance, 5 key steps to joining the 401(k) Millionaires Club, and why you should only share your credit card info at a hotel at the front desk.

New Scoring Could Help Credit-Shy Millennials
Introducing UltraFICO.

Give Yourself the Gift of a $0 Credit Card Balance
A gift with long lasting impact.

5 Key Steps to Join the 401(k) Millionaires Club
Starting early is crucial.

Only Share Your Credit Card Info at a Hotel at the Front Desk
Protecting your info during your stay.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: 401(k), credit card debt, Credit Score, fraud, millennials, Retirement, UltraFICO

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

December 6, 2018 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: Identity theft risks for holiday shoppers. Also in the news: 5 guidelines for happier holiday tipping, what to buy (and skip) in December, and how to balance your short-term and long-term financial goals.

Holiday Shoppers, Beware of These 3 Identity Theft Risks
Protect yourself.

5 Guidelines for Happier Holiday Tipping
Saying thanks.

What to Buy (and Skip) in December
Hold off on that TV.

How to Balance Your Short- and Long-Term Financial Goals
Your short-term goals should feed your long-term goals.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: December shopping, financial goals, holiday shopping, holiday tipping, Identity Theft, tips

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

December 5, 2018 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: How to make the most of the Child Tax Credit this year. Also in the news: 4 reasons to ditch your old debit card, getting to know your 401(k) plan, and how to choose the best tax software.

How to Make the Most of the Child Tax Credit This Year
The tax credit is doubling for 2018.

4 Reasons to Ditch Your Old Debit Card
New card, new perks.

Get to Know Your 401(k) Plan
Everything you need to know about your retirement savings.

How to Choose the Best Tax Software for You This Year
DIY vs finding a pro.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: 401(k), child tax credit, debit card, perks, retirement savings, tax software, Taxes

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

December 4, 2018 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: Parents are struggling to repay college loans. Also in the news: How to just say no to gift exchanges, late credit card payments may cost more in 2019, and how mobile wallets can do serious damage to your finances this holiday season.

Parents Struggling to Repay College Loans, Report Finds
Drowning in debt.

Millennial Money: How to Just Say No to Gift Exchanges
Skipping the Yankee Swap.

A Late Credit Card Payment May Cost You More in 2019
Late fees are on the rise.

Beware, mobile wallets can do serious damage to your finances this holiday season
Stick with cash.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: college loans, credit card payments, gift exchanges, Late Fees, mobile wallets, student debt, tips

New scoring could help credit-shy millennials

December 4, 2018 By Liz Weston

Millennials’ aversion to credit cards can make it hard for them to build good credit scores. A recently announced scoring system, the UltraFICO, may someday help them and other consumers get loans and credit based on how they use their bank accounts.

People who don’t overdraw and who keep a few hundred dollars in their accounts could get enough points added to their traditional FICO credit scores to qualify for approvals or better rates and terms. Others who don’t have FICO scores at all could get UltraFICO scores that allow them to get approved for credit.

In my latest for the Associated Press, learn more about UltraFICO.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: Credit, Credit Score, UltraFICO

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