DEAR RUSTY: I began collecting benefits at age 72 and am now 78. Since that time, I have continued to work and have contributed more than $40,000 to Social Security over the last six years. At the time of my retirement, I was informed that the Social Security Administration (SSA) would review my contributions annually and replace lower-earning years from my 35-year record with my current higher-earning years. Despite my…

When someone keeps working after starting Social Security, the system is supposed to factor those extra earnings into your benefit calculation. The Social Security Administration recomputes benefits when new earnings are posted if those earnings change the 35 highest-paid years used in the formula. That can mean a higher monthly check down the line, but it doesn’t always happen overnight.

First, earnings have to be posted to your SSA record. Employers report wages on W-2s and the IRS forwards that data to Social Security, and self-employment income comes through tax filings. If there is any lag, missing paperwork, or a mismatch in names or Social Security numbers, those dollars might not show on your record yet.

Second, a recomputation only matters if the new earnings replace a lower-earning year among your top 35 years. If your recent pay bumps merely match or fall below the years already counted, your benefit won’t change. That rule is built into the benefit formula to reflect a worker’s best 35 years of indexed earnings rather than every year they ever worked.

Third, even when a recomputation is warranted, the mechanics of payment can feel slow. SSA processes are not instant; once they finish recalculating your Primary Insurance Amount, any increase is reflected going forward and you should see an adjustment on your next benefit notice. Retroactive increases can occur in some cases, but the timing depends on when SSA completed the recomputation and whether back pay applies.

If your account hasn’t changed after years of higher earnings, start with My Social Security online or a printed Social Security Statement to see which years SSA currently counts. Compare those years to your pay records and tax returns to spot discrepancies. Keep clear documentation of the wages you report and be ready to show tax forms, pay stubs, or W-2s if SSA asks.

Contacting SSA directly is the next step when your record looks incomplete. A phone call or local office visit can reveal whether earnings are missing, misposted, or subject to verification. Ask an SSA representative to explain exactly how your 35 highest years are selected and whether a recomputation has been triggered for your recent earnings.

There are a few traps to watch for that can suppress increases. If you earned income that wasn’t reported under your Social Security number, or if you were paid as an independent contractor and didn’t properly report self-employment taxes, SSA might not credit those dollars. Also, certain pension rules and non-covered employment can affect calculations, so flag any unusual job situations when you check your record.

Be prepared to request a formal reconsideration if SSA’s response doesn’t match your records. Requesting a written explanation and, if needed, filing an appeal are valid steps when recomputation errors appear to be administrative rather than substantive. Keep each interaction documented so you can show dates, names, and any case numbers SSA gives you.

Practical habits help too: review your Social Security statement annually, keep tax records for at least seven years, and correct errors immediately. If you rely on a representative or family member to help, make sure they have a signed authorization to act on your behalf when dealing with SSA. Those small steps reduce delay and increase the chance your extra work actually raises your benefit.

Finally, know that persistence often pays. Bureaucracies move slowly, but repeated checks, clear documentation, and formal requests for recomputation cut through many common issues. If the numbers still don’t add up, consider getting help from a financial adviser or an elder law attorney who understands Social Security and can help you press your case with SSA.