What happens to your Social Security payment in June
Social Security makes payment adjustments in June each year based on changes in your work record or life circumstances. These are not the same as the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) that happens in January. A June adjustment happens when the Social Security Administration recalculates what you should receive because something about your situation has changed — you turned a certain age, you reported earnings, a family member's status changed, or you became newly may have access to to a different benefit type.
The most common June adjustment affects people who turned 70 during the previous year. If you delayed claiming Social Security past your full retirement age, your payment increases by a percentage each year you wait. When you finally claim or when you reach 70, Social Security recalculates your benefit and the new amount takes effect in June. Another frequent adjustment happens if you reported work earnings that reduce your benefit under the earnings test — Social Security recalculates in June once they have the actual earnings data from your tax return.
You will receive a notice in the mail before your June payment if an adjustment affects you. The notice explains what changed and shows your new payment amount. If you do not receive a notice but your payment changes, you can contact Social Security to ask why.
Key Takeaways
- June adjustments recalculate your benefit when your circumstances change, such as reaching age 70 or reporting work earnings.
- The most common June adjustment is for people who delayed claiming past full retirement age and are now receiving the delayed retirement credits they earned.
- Social Security sends a notice before your June payment explaining any adjustment and showing your new amount.
- Adjustments in June are separate from the annual January cost-of-living adjustment that affects all beneficiaries.
Who receives a June payment adjustment
You receive a June adjustment if Social Security has recalculated your benefit based on a change in your record. The most common situations are: you turned 70 in the previous calendar year and are now claiming or have claimed; you reported work earnings that trigger the earnings test; a spouse or child on your record turned a certain age; you became may have access to to a different benefit (such as switching from retirement to disability); or you reported a life event such as marriage, divorce, or a dependent child leaving school.
If you are already receiving benefits and nothing in your situation changed, your June payment will be the same as your May payment. The January COLA is the adjustment that affects all beneficiaries at once. A June adjustment is individual to your record.
How delayed retirement credits affect your June payment
If you were born in 1943 or later, your full retirement age is between 66 and 67, depending on your birth year. For every year you delay claiming Social Security past your full retirement age, your benefit increases by 8 percent per year, up to age 70. These increases are called delayed retirement credits. When you reach 70 or claim your benefit, whichever comes first, Social Security calculates the total credits you earned and adjusts your payment accordingly.
The adjustment usually takes effect in June of the year you turn 70 or claim, even if you claimed earlier in the year. For example, if you turned 70 in March and claimed your benefit then, Social Security processes the delayed retirement credits and your first full adjusted payment arrives in June. If you delayed claiming until after your 70th birthday, the adjustment still happens in June of that year.
Work earnings and the earnings test adjustment
If you are under full retirement age and you work, Social Security reduces your benefit by $1 for every $2 you earn above an annual limit. The limit changes each year — it was $23,400 in 2024, but varies by year. You report your expected earnings when you claim, and Social Security withholds benefits based on that estimate. In June, once your actual tax return is filed or your employer reports final earnings, Social Security recalculates whether they withheld the correct amount.
If you earned less than you estimated, you may receive a refund of the benefits that were withheld. If you earned more, your benefit may be reduced further or you may owe back benefits. The June adjustment corrects the estimate to match your actual earnings. Once you reach full retirement age, the earnings test no longer applies and your benefit is no longer reduced for work income.
Changes to family benefits and dependent status
If you receive benefits as a family — for example, you are a retired worker and your spouse and children also receive benefits on your record — a June adjustment can happen when a family member's status changes. Common changes include a child turning 19 (and no longer being in high school), a child turning 16 (if they were receiving benefits as a disabled child), a spouse reaching full retirement age, or a spouse or child becoming ineligible for another reason.
Each family member's benefit is calculated separately, and when one person's may be able to access or status changes, Social Security recalculates the entire family's benefits in June. You will receive a notice showing the new amounts for each person on your record.
What to do if your June payment changes
Check the notice Social Security sends you. It will explain the reason for the adjustment and show your old and new payment amounts. If the notice is unclear or you disagree with the adjustment, you can contact Social Security by phone at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), by visiting your local Social Security office, or through your account at ssa.gov.
Keep the notice for your records. If the adjustment affects your taxes, benefits from other programs, or your household budget, you may need to report the change to other agencies or adjust your planning. If Social Security made an error, you can request a correction. The process for disputing a decision is separate from requesting a correction, and Social Security will explain which applies to your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my Social Security payment change in June if I did not claim or turn 70?
Your payment may have changed because of a change in your family's situation — a spouse or child's status changed, you reported work earnings, or you became may have access to to a different benefit type. Check the notice Social Security sent you; it will explain the specific reason. If you did not receive a notice, contact Social Security to ask why your payment changed.
Is the June adjustment the same as the cost-of-living adjustment?
No. The cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) happens in January each year and affects all beneficiaries equally. A June adjustment is individual to your record and happens because something about your situation changed. You can receive both in the same year — the January COLA increases your base benefit, and the June adjustment recalculates based on your circumstances.
What if I claimed Social Security early but delayed past my full retirement age?
If you claimed before full retirement age and then continued working, Social Security may have withheld benefits under the earnings test. Once you reach full retirement age, the earnings test stops and your benefit is recalculated to account for the months you did not receive a payment. This recalculation usually happens in June of the year you reach full retirement age.
Can I appeal a June payment adjustment?
Yes. If you disagree with the adjustment, you can request that Social Security review the decision. Contact Social Security within 60 days of receiving the notice. You can request reconsideration, which means Social Security will review your case again. If you disagree with that result, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge.
Will my June adjustment affect my taxes or other benefits?
A change in your Social Security payment may affect your federal income tax if your combined income crosses certain thresholds. It may also affect means-tested benefits like Supplemental Security Income or Medicaid, depending on your state and the program. Contact the agencies that provide those benefits to report the change in your Social Security payment.