If you already filed for social security retirement benefits and now you want to stop social security and reapply later, can you? Maybe... it depends on how old you are. Details below.
Stop Social Security Before Full Retirement Age
If you filed for social security retirement benefits early (before your full retirement age) you cannot stop social security unless:
- you have already reached full retirement age or
- you are within 12 months of when your benefits started.
In you are within 12 months of when your benefits started in order to stop your social security, you must repay what you have received so far.
- See the If you change your mind section of the Social Security website for details.
Stop Social Security After You Have Reached Full Retirement Age
If you have reached full retirement age but you are not yet age 70, you can stop social security benefits by asking social security to suspend your benefits. Your benefits can then start accumulating delayed retirement credits, so you can collect more when you reapply later.
- See Voluntary Suspension of Social Security Benefits for details.
