The South Florida Area Director’s Office of the Social Security Administration shared questions received from the public and provided answers to those questions.

Question:

Can I apply only for spouse’s benefits and delay filing for my own retirement benefit in order to earn delayed retirement credits?

–M. Cantrell, Coral Gables, Florida

Answer:

No, if you turn age 62 on or after January 2, 2016, you are required or “deemed” to file for both your own retirement and for any benefits you are due as a spouse, no matter what age you are. Deemed filing means that when you file for either your retirement or your spouse’s benefit, you are required or “deemed” to file for the other benefit as well.

The rules for deemed filing apply only to retirement benefits based on your own work record and to the spousal benefits (including divorced spouse’s) you receive based on retirement. If you receive a spousal benefit because you are caring for a child who is under age 16 or disabled or if you receive spouse’s benefits and are also entitled to disability, deemed filing does not apply and you are therefore not required or “deemed” to file for your retirement benefit.

Question:

How can I plan for retirement?

–M. Peterson, Margate, Florida

Answer:

Achieving the dream of a secure, comfortable retirement is much easier when you plan your finances. The Social Security Retirement Benefits page provides detailed information about your Social Security retirement benefits under current law. It also points out things you may want to consider as you prepare for the future.

When you’re ready to apply for retirement benefits, use our online retirement application, which is the quickest, easiest, and most convenient way to apply.

Question:

What happens if I work and get Social Security retirement benefits?

–J. Murray, Opa Locka, Florida

Answer:

You can get Social Security retirement benefits and work at the same time. However, if you are younger than full retirement age and make more than the yearly earnings limit, we will reduce your benefit. Starting with the month you reach full retirement age, we will not reduce your benefits no matter how much you earn.

We use the following earnings limits to reduce your benefits: If you are under full retirement age for the entire year, we deduct $1 from your benefit payments for every $2 you earn above the annual limit.

For 2022 that limit is $19,560

In the year you reach full retirement age, we deduct $1 in benefits for every $3 you earn above a different limit, but we only count earnings before the month you reach your full retirement age.

If you will reach full retirement age in 2022, the limit on your earnings for the months before full retirement age is $51,960.

Starting with the month you reach full retirement age, you can get your benefits with no limit on your earnings.

Use our Retirement Age Calculator to find your full retirement age based on your date of birth.

Use our Retirement Earnings Test Calculator to find out how much your benefits will be reduced.

What counts as earnings:

When we figure out how much to deduct from your benefits, we count only the wages you make from your job or your net earnings if you’re self-employed. We include bonuses, commissions, and vacation pay. We don’t count pensions, annuities, investment income, interest, veterans, or other government or military retirement benefits.

 Your benefits may increase when you work:

As long as you continue to work, even if you are receiving benefits, you will continue to pay Social Security taxes on your earnings. However, we will check your record every year to see whether the additional earnings you had will increase your monthly benefit. If there is an increase, we will send you a letter telling you of your new benefit amount.

When you’re ready to apply for retirement benefits, use our online retirement application, the quickest, easiest, and most convenient way to apply.

If you need to report a change in your earnings after you begin receiving benefits:

If you receive benefits and are under full retirement age and you think your earnings will be different than what you originally told us, let us know right away. You cannot report a change of earnings online. Please call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, or contact your local Social Security office.

Question:

What is the special rule about earnings in the first year of retirement?

–E. Decaso, Miami Beach, Florida

Answer:

Sometimes people younger than full retirement age retire in the middle of the year and have already earned more than the yearly earnings limit. There is a special rule that applies to earnings for one year, usually the first year of retirement. Under this rule, you can get a full Social Security benefit for any whole month you are retired, regardless of your yearly earnings.

When you’re ready to apply for retirement benefits, use our online retirement application, the quickest, easiest, and most convenient way to apply.

For more information, visit the Social Security Administration at www.ssa.gov. People can also contact the area office in Fort Myers at 888-318-9114 or the national number at 800-772-1213 for assistance.