If you have reached full retirement age, but are not yet age 70, you can ask us to suspend retirement benefit payments. 

  • If you apply for benefits and we have not yet made a determination that you are entitled, you may voluntarily suspend benefits for any month for which you have not received a payment. Your request to suspend benefits may include any retroactive benefits that might be due.

  • If you are already entitled to benefits, you may voluntarily suspend current or future retirement benefit payments up to age 70 beginning the month after the month when you made the request.

    Reminder: We pay Social Security benefits the month after they are due. If you contact us in June and request that we suspend benefits, you will still receive your June benefit payment in July.

You do not have to sign your request to suspend benefit payments. You may ask us orally or in writing. 

Note: If you started receiving Social Security benefits less than 12 months ago and you changed your mind about when they should start, you may be able to withdraw your Social Security claim and re-apply at a future date.

If your request is approved, you must repay all the benefits you and your family received based on your retirement application.

Before You Make Your Decision

There are some things you need to know about what will happen if you suspend your retirement benefits.

  • If you are enrolled in Medicare Part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance), you will be billed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for future Part B premiums.

    These premiums cannot be deducted from your suspended retirement benefits. If you do not pay the premiums timely, you may lose your Part B Medicare coverage. (You will have the option of automatically paying the bill from an account at your bank or financial institution.)

    Exception: If you also receive benefits as a spouse or ex-spouse, we can deduct your Part B premium from that benefit payment.

  • If you also receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, suspending your retirement benefits will make you ineligible for SSI.

Contact Us

Our representatives can help you explore your options. Give us a call at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visit your local Social Security office if you have any additional questions.

Related Information

Note: If you qualify for benefits as a Survivor, your full retirement age may be different.

Publications