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YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY | Davenport, Iowa Office

By Pam Shaw
Social Security District Manager
Davenport Social Security Office

ARE YOU AGE 70 OR OLDER AND NOT YET RECEIVING BENEFITS?

Retirement is not one-size-fits-all.  It can mean different things to different people. Perhaps you have not applied for Social Security retirement benefits because you’re still working or are delaying applying so you can get the higher benefit.  If you’re age 70 or older, you should apply now for the benefits you’re owed. Your benefits will not increase if you continue to delay applying for them because you are 70 or older.

Did you know that you can receive benefits even if you still work? Your earnings can increase your monthly benefit amount – even after you start receiving benefits. Each year that you work, we check your earnings record.  It’s possible your latest year of earnings is one of your highest 35 years.  If so, we will automatically recalculate your benefit amount and pay you any increase due.

You can claim your retirement benefits now. The best and easiest way to apply is with a personal my Social Security account. You can create your free account at www.ssa.gov/myaccount.  Once you create your account, you can get an estimate of how much you might receive each month based on when you want to start receiving benefits and then apply.

In your account, you can also:

• Access our publications – like the fact sheet for workers ages 70 and up.
• Find your Full Retirement Age.
• Learn about benefits for your spouse and family members.
• Apply for benefits.
• •Manage your benefits once you start receiving them.

We’re here to help you secure today and tomorrow and we invite you to learn more about applying for retirement benefits at www.ssa.gov/apply on our website. Please share this information with those who need it.

QUESTION AND ANSWER

Question: I usually get my benefit payment on the third of the month. But what if the third falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday? Will my payment be late?

Answer: Just the opposite. Your payment should arrive early. For example, if you usually get your payment on the. third of a month, but it falls on a weekend or legal holiday, we will send payments on the business day prior to the due date. You can find the payment schedules at www.ssa.gov/pubs/calendar.htm. Any time you don’t receive a payment, be sure to wait 3 days before calling to report it missing. To ensure that your payments go to the right place, create a personal my Social Security account. There, you can verify and manage your benefits without calling or visiting an office. Please visit www.ssa.gov/myaccount to create your account.