Understanding Social Security Benefits for Individuals Turning Full Retirement Age

I have an individual that will turn 66 on February 13.  She will reach FRA in August.  If she starts taking SS in August or September, will her benefits be reduced, since she will start in the month of or later of reaching FRA?  I am reading some conflicting reports relating to whether her benefit would be reduced or not, so I thought I should just ask the experts.

 In this scenario, the individual who turns 66 on February 13, 2023, and reaches Full Retirement Age (FRA) in August 2023, can start receiving Social Security benefits in August or later without any reduction. The key factor is that once a person reaches their FRA, they are entitled to receive 100% of their Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) with no age-related reductions.

Full Retirement Age is the point at which a person can claim their full Social Security benefit, and starting benefits in the month they reach FRA (or any month thereafter) ensures they receive the full amount. If she decides to start her benefits in August 2023, the month she reaches FRA, she will receive her full PIA without any reduction. This is a standard rule under Social Security, and any reports suggesting a reduction in benefits when starting in the month of reaching FRA are incorrect.

It's also important to note that if she were to start benefits before August 2023, her benefits would be reduced based on the number of months she is under FRA. However, starting benefits in or after August means she will receive the full amount she is entitled to, ensuring that no reduction applies due to her age.

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