Voluntary Suspension of Benefits — benefit suspension
A Social Security option for someone at Full Retirement Age or older to stop monthly benefits so Delayed Retirement Credits keep building 8% a year to age 70.
Official source: ssa.gov
## What it does
Once you reach Full Retirement Age (FRA), you can ask SSA to **voluntarily suspend** your retirement benefits. While suspended:
- You receive no monthly benefit. - Your future monthly benefit grows by Delayed Retirement Credits at **8% per year** (about 2/3 of 1% per month) until age 70. - At age 70, suspension automatically ends.
## When it makes sense
- You filed at 62 or before FRA, your situation changed, and you no longer need the income. - You went back to work and don't need the benefit. - You want to boost the eventual survivor benefit for a spouse who will outlive you.
A 2-year suspension between FRA and 70 raises your benefit by **16%** for life.
## Who else is affected
When you suspend, benefits paid to others on your record (spouse, dependent children) generally also stop — with one exception: **divorced spouses** can continue receiving their benefit during your suspension.
## How it differs from "file and suspend"
Before 2016, married couples used a "file and suspend" strategy where one spouse filed and immediately suspended so the other could collect spousal benefits while the first kept earning credits. The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 eliminated that loophole. Today's voluntary suspension does **not** allow others (other than divorced spouses) to collect on your record while you are suspended.
## How to do it
- Request the suspension in writing or by phone with SSA. - Specify the month you want benefits to stop (no earlier than the month after your request). - You can restart anytime — suspension also ends automatically at 70.
Also known as
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Frequently asked questions about Voluntary Suspension of Benefits
Can I suspend before Full Retirement Age?+
No. Voluntary suspension is only available at FRA or later.
How much will my benefit grow during suspension?+
8% per year of suspension, applied to your full retirement benefit, until age 70.
Can my spouse still collect on my record while I am suspended?+
No — except for divorced spouses, who can continue receiving their benefit during your suspension.
Is voluntary suspension the same as withdrawal of application?+
No. Withdrawal of application is allowed within 12 months of first claiming and requires paying back all benefits received. Suspension keeps your filing in place and adds Delayed Retirement Credits.
Will my Medicare premiums still be deducted?+
No. If your benefit is suspended, Medicare premiums must be paid directly. You will receive a quarterly bill from CMS.
Source: ssa.gov