Ask Larry

Hello Larry,
I am considering filing to receive social security in the spring after having recently reached age 62 in order to qualify and also get the best rate for a refinance on either or both our primary residence and our rental condominium. The plan would be to use the funds to improve both our debt to income ratios and our reserves, refinance one or both mortgages, then return the money before the end of the year so I can stop social security and file at a later time for a higher monthly amount. Any problems with this plan I should be aware of?

Hi. My expertise is limited to Social Security benefits, so I have no idea whether or not drawing your Social Security benefits would help you get better rates when refinancing a mortgage. All I can tell you is that Social Security only allows a person to withdraw a claim for retirement benefits if they do so within 12 months of their initial month of entitlement, AND if they repay all of the benefits they were paid. For more details, refer to the following Social Security website: https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/withdrawal.html.

Best, Jerry