When Your Birthday Isn’t Your Birthday (According to Social Security)
Social Security benefits and birthdays go hand in hand, but for those born on certain specific days of the year, bureaucracy can add an interesting twist to such a simple concept.
There are a couple of circumstances where the Social Security Administration changes your birthdate for you. Chances are if this applies to you, you already know this, but I thought I’d explain it anyhow just so you’ll know what it’s all about.
First of the Month
If your date of birth falls on the first day of the month, then for Social Security purposes, your Birth Month is actually the month prior to your actual date of birth. So, if you were born on July 1, according to the Social Security Administration, your Birth Month — and therefore the month that your benefit is based upon (for example, Full Retirement Age) — is June. In this example, your Birth Year remains the same, but that’s not always the case … as you’ll see below.
First of January
In the case of a date of birth being Jan. 1, your Birth Month is December, and your Birth Year is the year prior to your actual birth.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Twenty-ninth of February
If you are one of the lucky ones who happens to have been born on Leap Day, meaning Feb. 29, don’t worry! Even though your birthday only comes once every four years, your benefits won’t be affected. The Social Security Administration doesn’t really care what day of the month you were born on, only the month and year. So even though your actual date of birth anniversary doesn’t come every year, the month does, and the Social Security Administration counts February as your Birth Month in your case.
The Bottom Line
When it comes to Social Security, nothing is simple — even your birthday. Make sure you understand all the rules before making your benefit decisions.
-
Nasdaq Sinks 418 Points as Tech Chills: Stock Market TodayInvestors, traders and speculators are growing cooler to the AI revolution as winter approaches.
-
23 Last-Minute Gifts That Still Arrive Before ChristmasScrambling to cross those last few names off your list? Here are 23 last-minute gifts that you can still get in time for Christmas.
-
The Rule of Compounding: Why Time Is an Investor's Best FriendDescribed as both a "miracle" and a "wonder," compound interest is simply a function of time.
-
If You're a U.S. Retiree Living in Portugal, Your Tax Plan Needs a Post-NHR Strategy ASAPWhen your 10-year Non-Habitual Resident tax break ends, you could see your tax rate soar. Take steps to plan for this change well before the NHR window closes.
-
Could Target-Date Funds With Built-In Income Guarantees Be the Next Evolution in Retirement Planning?With target-date funds falling short on income certainty, retirement plans should integrate guaranteed income solutions. Here is what participants can do.
-
Your Year-End Tax and Estate Planning Review Just Got UrgentChanging tax rules and falling interest rates mean financial planning is more important than ever as 2025 ends. There's still time to make these five key moves.
-
What Makes This Business So Successful? We Find Out From the Founder's KidsThe children of Morgan Clayton share how their father's wisdom, life experience and caring nature have turned their family business into a respected powerhouse.
-
Past Performance Is Not Indicative of Your Financial Adviser's ExpertiseMany people find a financial adviser by searching online or asking for referrals from friends or family. This can actually end up costing you big-time.
-
I'm a Financial Planner: If You're Not Doing Roth Conversions, You Need to Read ThisRoth conversions and other Roth strategies can be complex, but don't dismiss these tax planning tools outright. They could really work for you and your heirs.
-
Could Traditional Retirement Expectations Be Killing Us? A Retirement Psychologist Makes the CaseA retirement psychologist makes the case: A fulfilling retirement begins with a blueprint for living, rather than simply the accumulation of a large nest egg.
-
I'm a Financial Adviser: This Is How You Can Adapt to Social Security UncertaintyRather than letting the unknowns make you anxious, focus on building a flexible income strategy that can adapt to possible future Social Security changes.
