Ask Rusty – Delayed Claiming; Am I Now Getting the Right Amount?
AMAC Certified Social Security Advisor Russell Gloor Association of Mature American Citizens
Dear Rusty: I am having problems getting answers from the national Social Security office or the local agent who I first spoke with to apply for my benefits. I am 70 in January 2021 and applied for benefits at the end of August 2020. I asked to have benefits start in October 2020 with my first payment received in November. I was told that the benefit for applying at age 69 & 9 months would not be received until January of 2021. Until then I would receive the 69 years and 0 months payment, which I received in November and December of 2020. In January 2021 however, I received the same 2020 payment plus the COLA increase. I've asked what's up at the local office and have been waiting for a return phone call. My first question: is the amount I received in November and December last year correct, i.e., it is only the age 69 amount, not the 69 and 9 months benefit for the age I was at the time? And second, if that's true, when in 2021 should I get my full amount? Signed: Confused