Reduced benefits while working and receiving SS

[JoeM727747]

I started receiving SS benefits at age 62 because of a job change.  My FRA is 66 1/2.  Over the 4.5 years of benefits, almost half of them (27 months to be exact) were withheld due to the earnings limit.  I am aware that, according to the SSA, I will receive the withheld benefits in the form of increased monthly payments starting at FRA. I am now 67 1/2 and have not received an increase in benefits. Multiple calls to the SSA have resulted in multiple answers as to when I will get the pay bump. The most legit one is that my status is "in process" and I should receive a "lump sum" (for the months since my FRA) plus a monthly increase in benefits going forward starting sometime this fall since they recalculate for this once per year (in July). Has anyone experienced a delay such as this?  I am trying to be patient but all the articles I read say the adjustment will be made "at FRA".  It's now almost a year later. 

[GailL1]

@JoeM727747 

Read this and see which scenario applied - may be the one described on page 7/8

How Work Affects Your Benefit 2025 edition

Look at page 7 and top of page 8 - if this is the case, then you should see the recalculation done and a new benefit paid in December 2025 and it will have all the new amounts repaid back to January 2025.

But then there would be a few months for 2024 that they owe you - I don’t know if you will get those now or at the same time for 2025.

I will try to find out.  When did you reach your FRA ?  66 and 6 months?

[JoeM727747]

I was 66 and 6 months on May 27, 2024. As I calculate it, they now owe me about 10 months of increased benefits. I was told by my local office I should receive a lump sum (for those months x increase) plus the increase going forward. I'm just wondering when all of this will happen. I will read as you have suggested and thank you so much!

[Winter2025VA]

Joe @JoeM727747 , I too started my RETIREMENT benefits at age 62 in 2020. I may be wrong, but I thought we are stuck with this setup. Of course we get the increase from COLA if there is one.

YOU WROTE: I am aware that, according to the SSA, I will receive the withheld benefits in the form of increased monthly payments starting at FRA. I am now 67 1/2 and have not received an increase in benefits.

Take care,

Nicole  👵

[JoeM727747]

I have received COLAs each year but I am owed 27 months at full pay so its a significant amount. The SSA booklet clearly states that it will be repaid. So, if you worked and had benefits reduced due to the earnings limit, your benefit will be adjusted at FRA. Only thing is I am still waiting for the adjustment.

[Winter2025VA]

Thanks for explaining Joe @JoeM727747 , NO - I have NOT worked since age 62. I hope you get this SOON!!! Good luck, Nicole  👵

---

[*** @JoeM727747 wrote 4/8/25:

I have received COLAs each year but I am owed 27 months at full pay so its a significant amount. The SSA booklet clearly states that it will be repaid. So, if you worked and had benefits reduced due to the earnings limit, your benefit will be adjusted at FRA. Only thing is I am still waiting for the adjustment. ***]

---