📋 Can New Social Security Wording Lead to Bigger Checks? (AARP Article)

[Winter2025VA]

FROM THE ARTICLE.

AARP-backed bill aims to tweak SSA wording to help older adults decide when to start benefits.

By Deirdre Shesgreen, AARP. Published November 06, 2025.

Could a little wordsmithing by the Social Security Administration (SSA) help older Americans make better decisions about when to claim their retirement benefit — and potentially get a bigger lifetime payment? That’s the idea behind a bipartisan bill now before Congress. If enacted, the Claiming Age Clarity Act would tweak the terms the SSA uses on its website and in other communications to help prospective beneficiaries decide when to apply for Social Security.

Supporters — including AARP, which has endorsed the bill — say these small changes could make a big difference for soon-to-be beneficiaries by clarifying the pros and cons of claiming Social Security at various ages.

USE THE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE.

https://www.aarp.org/social-security/retirement-age-clarity-act/

[GailL1 · Accepted solution]

The SSA has never had to have a law before to change terminology - and yes, some things have had their terminology changed before.  

A WORSE problem is using abbreviations that people do not understand - get that to stop and maybe understanding would be better.  In fact, ask a group of seniors what the abbreviation of SSI stands for at the Social Security Admin.  and they will inevitably say “ Social Security Insurance”  which of course, it is NOT.

Oh well, I guess Congress has to have something to do - so why not invent a new government dictionary by law.  They will still get all the confused looks when confronted with all the questions that people ask about their Social Security benefits - 

Perhaps a better way that this word defining law would be to get them to sign a statement of understanding before they begin their benefit application stating exactly what they would be losing or gaining depending on when they elect to start their benefits.  IF They cannot read or understand, which most likely some may not, they need to apply at the local SSA office and have it explained to them and then sign the understanding statement.