The Social Security Administration (SSA) has put in place strict rules that affect people who get benefits or want to get them, especially those who depend on disabled payments or retirement payments. If these standards are not met on time, benefits could be stopped for thousands of people who receive them.
In addition to general standards for eligibility, there are also situations where benefits must or may be suspended. Understanding these cases is important for keeping your finances stable and avoiding problems that aren’t necessary.
Reasons why Social Security benefits might be stopped
The Social Security Administration (SSA) lets people who have hit their full retirement age but are not yet 70 years old choose to stop receiving their retirement benefits under certain circumstances. By putting payments on hold, seniors can earn credits for delayed retirement, which will increase their benefits when they are resumed.
Other important reasons for stopping benefits are:
- Not satisfying the necessary filing process within the given time limit.
- People who are fully retired can choose to stop receiving their retirement benefits. If they do this, they will start receiving higher monthly benefits in the future.
- Getting benefits on someone else’s record: If you stop getting your retirement benefits, you will also stop getting any benefits that are on someone else’s record.
- Deductions for Medicare Part B: If benefits are stopped, premiums can’t be taken out of Social Security funds, so Medicare has to be paid directly.
- Impact on family benefits: Those who are getting payments on someone else’s behalf will also lose those payments if that person suspends their benefits. The only people who can continue receiving payments are divorced spouses.
- When benefit suspensions happen: The suspension starts the month after the request is made, and payments can only be resumed the month after the request to restart them.
- Automatic return at age 70: If a person chooses to stop receiving benefits, they will start again the month they turn 70.
Beneficiaries must stay up to date on these rules, meet deadlines, and know their rights when it comes to voluntarily suspending and resuming payments in order to stay eligible and avoid financial problems.
Why can Social Security payments be suspended?