For many Americans, Social Security is one of the biggest sources of income after retirement. The amount you receive depends on the age you start collecting. If you begin at 62, your checks will be smaller. If you wait until your full retirement age 67 for people born in 1960 or later you get your full benefit. And if you hold out until 70, your monthly payments are the highest possible. But life is full of surprises. You might claim early because you need money, then later find you don’t need the checks right away.
What Does Suspending Benefits Mean?
When you suspend your Social Security benefits, you’re asking the SSA to stop sending you monthly checks. While your benefits are paused, you earn what are called “delayed retirement credits.” These credits boost your future payments by about 8% for every year you wait, up until age 70. Not everyone can use this option. You must have reached your full retirement age but be under 70. If you started benefits before reaching your full retirement age, you’ll need to wait until then to suspend. There is one exception, if you’ve been collecting for less than 12 months, you can withdraw your application completely but only if you pay back all the money you’ve already received.
How Do You Pause Your Social Security?
The good news is that it’s very easy to request a suspension. You don’t need long forms or complicated paperwork. You can simply call the SSA, send them a written request, or visit your local Social Security office. Once the SSA processes your request, your suspension begins the next month. Your checks will stay paused until you ask for them again or until you turn 70. At that point, the SSA will restart your payments automatically at the higher amount.
What Happens When You Suspend Benefits?
Before you make the decision, it’s important to know what else changes when your benefits stop. If your spouse or child is receiving money based on your work record, their checks will also stop when yours are suspended. A divorced spouse’s benefits are the only exception they will continue as usual.
If you’re receiving benefits on someone else’s record, those payments will also end. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) cannot be collected during suspension either. Another key detail is related to Medicare. Normally, Medicare Part B premiums are deducted directly from your Social Security check. But during suspension, the SSA will bill you separately. If you don’t pay on time, you risk losing your Medicare coverage.
Should You Suspend Your Benefits?
Suspending Social Security isn’t right for everyone, but it can be a smart choice for people who want bigger checks later in life. If you’re financially stable now through work, savings, or other income pausing your benefits could help you secure higher payments when you may need them more. Still, this is not a one-size-fits-all decision. It depends on your family situation, your health, and your financial needs. Before making a choice, it’s best to speak with the SSA or a financial advisor to understand exactly how it affects you and your family.
In the end, benefit suspension gives retirees flexibility. It lets you change your mind and plan for a stronger future, especially if you expect to live longer and want the security of larger monthly payments later on.