Can you undo taking Social Security early?

Asked by: Herbert Stiedemann  |  Last update: February 11, 2026
Score: 4.3/5 (20 votes)

If you change your mind about starting your benefits, you can cancel your application for up to 12 months after you became entitled to retirement benefits. This process is called a withdrawal. You can reapply later. You are limited to one withdrawal per lifetime.

Can you change your mind after taking Social Security early?

You can stop your Social Security if you've started taking benefits but it's been less than 12 months since you became eligible. However, you will have to pay back all benefits received up to that point. This restart is referred to as a full withdrawal.

Can you cancel Social Security once you start it?

You can only cancel your application once and can reapply later. If you've begun receiving payments, you will have to repay the money you and your family received, as well as money we withheld for Medicare premiums, taxes, and garnishments.

Can you take Social Security early and pay it back?

To withdraw your claim, you must meet all of the requirements, including making the request in writing and repaying the benefits that you received. If you withdraw your claim, you may re-apply at a future date. For more information go to our Withdrawing Your Social Security Retirement Application page.

Can you stop taking Social Security and go back to work?

The basic answer is YES, you can continue to work after you start receiving Social Security benefits.

How To Un-Retire (I Took Social Security Too Early, Can I Have a Redo?)

24 related questions found

What happens if I start collecting Social Security and then go back to work?

You can get Social Security retirement benefits and work at the same time. However, if you are younger than full retirement age and make more than the yearly earnings limit, we will reduce your benefits. Starting with the month you reach full retirement age, we will not reduce your benefits no matter how much you earn.

How do I get the $16728 Social Security bonus?

Have you heard about the Social Security $16,728 yearly bonus? There's really no “bonus” that retirees can collect. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a specific formula based on your lifetime earnings to determine your benefit amount.

What is the 5 year rule for Social Security?

If you become disabled before your full retirement age, you might qualify for Social Security disability benefits. You must have worked and paid Social Security taxes in five of the last 10 years.

Is it better to collect Social Security at 62 or 67?

You can start receiving your Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62. However, you are entitled to full benefits only when you reach your full retirement age. If you delay taking your benefits from your full retirement age up to age 70, your benefit amount will increase.

Can I withdraw my Social Security in a lump sum?

When you wait until full retirement age or later to claim Social Security retirement benefits, you have an option. You can receive a lump sum payment of up to six months of retirement benefits.

When my husband dies, do I get his Social Security and mine?

If your spouse dies, do you get both Social Security benefits? You cannot claim your deceased spouse's benefits in addition to your own retirement benefits. Social Security only will pay one—survivor or retirement. If you qualify for both survivor and retirement benefits, you will receive whichever amount is higher.

What are the three ways you can lose your Social Security?

Indeed, here are three ways you can lose at least part of your Social Security benefit.
  • No. 1: Keep working while taking benefits early. ...
  • No. 2: Be a substantially lower-earning spouse. ...
  • No. 3: Be alive in 2034. ...
  • Social Security still provides an important foundation for retirement.

Can I stop Social Security once I start?

If you are already entitled to benefits, you may voluntarily suspend retirement benefit payments up to age 70. Your benefits will be suspended beginning the month after you make the request. We pay Social Security benefits the month after they are due.

Can my wife take Social Security at 62 and then switch to spousal benefit?

If your spouse is not receiving any retirement benefits yet, then you could technically take your regular Social Security benefit as early as age 62. When your spouse files for their benefit later you could switch to spousal benefits.

What do I lose if I take Social Security early?

In the case of early retirement, a benefit is reduced 5/9 of one percent for each month before normal retirement age, up to 36 months. If the number of months exceeds 36, then the benefit is further reduced 5/12 of one percent per month.

What is the $1000 a month rule for retirement?

The $1,000 per month rule is designed to help you estimate the amount of savings required to generate a steady monthly income during retirement. According to this rule, for every $240,000 you save, you can withdraw $1,000 per month if you stick to a 5% annual withdrawal rate.

Why do smart people take Social Security at 62?

Assuming your full retirement age is 67, if you file for those retirement benefits at 62, you'll receive around 70% of your full retirement age benefit amount. If you file for disability and are awarded those benefits, the amount that you would receive would be 100% of your full retirement age benefit, even at 62.

What is the $16728 Social Security benefit?

Have you heard about the Social Security $16,728 yearly bonus? There's really no “bonus” that retirees can collect. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a specific formula based on your lifetime earnings to determine your benefit amount.

Do I get my ex-husband's Social Security if he dies?

you're eligible for some of your ex's Social Security

wives and widows. That means most divorced women collect their own Social Security while the ex is alive, but can apply for higher widow's rates when he dies.

Can I draw Social Security at 62 and still work full time?

You can get Social Security retirement benefits and work at the same time before your full retirement age. However, your benefits will be reduced if you earn more than the yearly earnings limits.

How to get $3000 a month in Social Security?

Exactly how much in earnings do you need to get a $3,000 benefit? Well, you just need to have averaged about 70% of the taxable maximum. In our example case, that means that your earnings in 1983 were about $22,000 and increased every year to where they ended at about $100,000 at age 62.

Can two wives collect Social Security from one husband?

Each survivor benefit can be up to 100% of your benefit. The amount may be reduced if the women start benefits before their own full retirement age, but they don't have to share — the amount isn't reduced because you've had more than one spouse.

Who are the never beneficiaries of Social Security?

Ninety-five percent of never-beneficiaries are individuals whose earnings histories are insufficient to qualify for benefits. Late-arriving immigrants and infrequent workers comprise the vast majority of these insufficient earners.