Can I Stop My Social Security and Restart Later?

Social Security benefits provide a financial foundation for millions in retirement. While many collect payments as soon as they are eligible, circumstances can lead some to consider pausing their benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) allows individuals to temporarily stop receiving retirement payments and restart them later. This option can be a strategic financial decision, but it is accompanied by specific conditions and procedural requirements that warrant careful understanding.

Understanding Benefit Suspension Eligibility

Suspending Social Security retirement benefits is an option for individuals who have reached their Full Retirement Age (FRA) but not yet age 70. FRA is the age at which an individual becomes eligible for 100% of their Social Security benefits based on their earnings record. This age varies by birth year: for those born in 1943 through 1954, FRA is 66, while for those born in 1960 or later, it is 67. The FRA gradually increases for birth years between these ranges.

Benefit suspension is limited to retirement benefits. Other Social Security benefits, such as disability or survivor benefits, generally do not qualify. If an individual receives spousal benefits based on the suspended earner’s record, those spousal benefits will also be suspended. However, a divorced spouse’s benefits are typically not affected.

This suspension allows an individual to pause monthly payments without repaying benefits already received, which differentiates it from a benefit withdrawal option available only in the first 12 months of claiming. The suspension enables the accumulation of delayed retirement credits, resulting in a higher monthly benefit when payments resume.

Steps to Suspend Social Security Benefits

The process for suspending Social Security retirement benefits is straightforward once eligibility is confirmed. Individuals can request a suspension by phone, in writing, or by visiting a local Social Security Administration office. The SSA’s national toll-free number is 1-800-772-1213.

A request for suspension does not typically require a specific form to be signed, as it can be made orally or in writing. Once the request is made, benefits suspension begins the month after processing. For instance, if a request is made in August, September benefits would be the first suspended, with the August benefit still paid in September.

If other family members receive benefits based on the suspended earner’s record, their benefits will also be suspended. Divorced spouse benefits are an exception and may continue. Individuals should have alternative financial resources to cover expenses during the suspension period.

Impact of Suspension on Future Benefit Amounts

Suspending Social Security benefits after reaching Full Retirement Age but before age 70 allows for the accrual of Delayed Retirement Credits (DRCs). These credits are a mechanism designed to increase an individual’s monthly benefit amount for each month benefits are voluntarily suspended. For those born in 1943 or later, the monthly benefit increases by two-thirds of one percent for each month of delay, totaling an 8% increase for each full year.

DRCs continue to accrue until an individual reaches age 70, at which point they stop. There is no further increase for delaying beyond age 70. For example, if an individual’s Full Retirement Age is 67, delaying benefits until age 70 would result in a 24% increase (8% per year for three years) in their monthly benefit. This increase is permanently added to the monthly benefit and applies to any future cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs).

The decision to suspend benefits is often driven by the desire to maximize lifetime earnings, especially for individuals who anticipate a longer lifespan or have sufficient income from other sources. The enhanced benefit amount resulting from DRCs can provide greater financial security throughout retirement. This strategy allows for a substantial increase in monthly payments compared to what would have been received at Full Retirement Age.

Steps to Restart Social Security Benefits

After a period of voluntary suspension, restarting Social Security benefits is a straightforward process. Individuals can request reinstatement at any time before age 70. If no request is made, the SSA will automatically restart payments in the month an individual turns 70.

To restart benefits, individuals can contact the SSA by phone, in writing, or by visiting a local Social Security office. The SSA’s national toll-free line is 1-800-772-1213. There isn’t a specific form universally required for restarting benefits after a suspension.

Once the request is processed, payments resume the month following the request. The reinstated benefits will reflect the higher amount due to any Delayed Retirement Credits accrued during the suspension period. This ensures that the financial benefits of delaying collection are realized.