Recalculate delay retirement

[JohnC728129]

I retired in May of 2022 at 69+2 two month which should have given me 25.3 delayed credits birthday being 3/1953 however I only received 22.7 credits witch put my credits back to January 2022 I was told that it would be recalculated and I would receive the other 2.6 credits and any benefits owed from January 2023. Well it’s been 1 year 11 months and still no recalculation. Tried to contact social security and I’m getting the run around would seem no one I speak to knows anything about withholding delayed credits I guess my next step will be to go to my local legislator office to see if I can get help there.  Since no one is in the local social security office and hasn’t been since the start of covid. Anyone else having this trouble? 

[JohnC728129]

They finally opened the social security office near me and I found someone that understood what I was talking about. Received my delayed retirement credits this month after 2 years 3 months 😁 

[fffred]

@JohnC728129 

I suspect that what you are running into is an SSA rule described on this SSA page https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/delayret.html

They say "If you retire before age 70, some of your delayed retirement credits will not be applied until the January after you start receiving benefits."

I researched this quite a bit a few years ago. I don't recall that it was ever made clear to me if the cash benefits "lost" during the months of the first year of benefits are ever repaid or not. I am thinking that they are not; especially as this quote (above) says that the delayed retirement credits "will not be applied until the [following] January"

i know there are a few threads about this here in the AARP forum. Here is one from a few years back https://community.aarp.org/t5/Social-Security/SSA-gov-plan-estimator-confusion-start-date/m-p/241631...

But if you're already past that "following January" then it bears to follow up with the SSA about this.

[JohnC728129]

Retired in May of 2022 and I knew I wouldn’t be reimbursed for the difference in credits from June to December of 2022 but since my benefits weren’t recalculated for the year of 2023 till the present time I should be reimbursed for as of now 16 months with all COLA’s added and the credits added to my monthly benefit. Overall it’s been 24 months this May,  more than enough time for social security to have recalculated my benefits. I did manage to contact a woman on the main social security help line and she knew nothing about withholding credits however she said she would contact my local office and I should hear something with in 30 days. Now I’m thinking they’re going to put me off till January 2025 when the tax cuts expire. 
Ps: their not following their own rule as the January after I started receiving benefits has past and now the second January after I started receiving benefits has past.

[DiverseM589070]

1. **Keep Trying to Reach Social Security**: Even though it might be annoying, don't give up on calling or visiting Social Security. If you keep trying, you might eventually get the help you need.

2. **Write Everything Down**: Remember to write down the names of the people you talk to, the dates, and what they tell you. This will be useful later if you need to remember what was said.

3. **Ask Your Local Politician for Help**: Your local politician could help you out. They might know someone at Social Security who can speed things up for you.

4. **Consider Getting Legal Help**: If you're not getting anywhere, think about talking to a lawyer. Some lawyers know a lot about Social Security and can explain what to do.

5. **Be Patient, but Keep Checking In**: Sorting out Social Security problems can take a long time. Stay calm, but don't forget to keep asking for updates. Hopefully, things will improve eventually.