Ask Larry

Early in my work history, I have several years where my earnings were below the full required earnings for that year, i.e.: 1964 I made $327 vs. $1,200 and 1966 I made $1,390 vs $1,650. Do I get partial year credit for those years; do thay count for anything or nothing?

Hi,

Those earnings certainly count, but they won't be used in calculating your benefit rate if you have 35 higher years of wage-indexed earnings. Social Security retirement benefit rates are based on an average of a person's highest 35 years of wage-indexed earnings (https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10070.pdf), so if they have more than 35 years of Social Security covered earnings the lower earnings years are not used when determining their benefit rate.

You may want to consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to calculate your benefit rate and to determine your best strategy for maximizing your Social Security benefits.

Best, Jerry