I'm new to this community and just discovered this incredibly helpful thread! I've been checking my MySocialSecurity account obsessively for weeks wondering why my 2024 earnings aren't showing up, and I was starting to think there was a serious error with my employer's payroll system. Reading through everyone's experiences has been such a huge relief - it's amazing how many people go through this exact same worry! The detailed explanation about SSA operating on annual tax reporting cycles (employers submit W-2s by January 31st, then SSA needs 6-12 months to process millions of records) finally makes perfect sense, but it's so frustrating that this isn't clearly explained anywhere on the MySocialSecurity website. I'm definitely going to follow the advice here about contacting my HR department to verify they have my correct SSN for W-2 reporting - that seems like such a practical step I can take right now while waiting for the normal processing timeline. Also starting a dedicated filing system for all my paystubs and tax documents after seeing how many people recommend keeping detailed records. A simple banner on the SSA earnings page saying "Current year earnings typically appear 6-12 months after year-end due to annual reporting cycles" would prevent so much unnecessary anxiety for people like us who are trying to be responsible by checking our records regularly! Thanks to everyone for sharing your stories - this community is such a valuable resource for navigating these confusing government systems!

I'm completely new to this community and just stumbled upon this thread while frantically searching for answers about this exact issue! My 2024 earnings are also showing $0 despite working consistently all year, and I was starting to have a full panic attack thinking my employer had somehow lost my Social Security information or that there was a major error in the system. This entire discussion has been absolutely life-changing for my stress levels - I had zero understanding that SSA operates on these delayed annual reporting cycles instead of real-time updates. The clear timeline breakdown everyone provided (W-2s submitted by January 31st, then 6-12 months for SSA processing) makes so much sense now, but I'm honestly frustrated that this critical information isn't prominently displayed on the MySocialSecurity website. I'm definitely going to call my HR department first thing Monday morning to verify they have my correct SSN and are planning to submit my W-2 properly. That feels like the one proactive thing I can do right now while waiting for the normal processing timeline to play out. I'm also going to start a much better system for organizing all my paystubs and tax documents after seeing how many experienced members emphasize the importance of keeping detailed records. Thank you so much to everyone who took the time to share their experiences and knowledge - this community is truly invaluable for people like me who are trying to navigate these confusing government systems responsibly. A simple notice on SSA's website explaining this 6-12 month delay would save so many people the anxiety I've been experiencing!

I'm dealing with the exact same situation! Filed my retirement application in late November 2025 for January 2026 benefits and have been stuck in step 2 for over 3 months now. Like everyone else here, I keep getting the same frustrating "it's still processing" response with zero useful details about what's actually causing the delay. Reading through all these comments has been both validating and concerning - it's clear there's a major systematic processing issue affecting applications from that November/December 2025 timeframe. The pattern is just too consistent to be coincidental. What really bothers me is the complete lack of transparency - every phone rep gives the exact same scripted response with no specifics about what verification is needed or any realistic timeline. I'm planning to try the multi-pronged approach that others have suggested: visiting my local SSA office in person next week, asking specifically about the critical case designation for financial hardship, and potentially using that Claimyr service to actually reach someone with detailed case information. I'm also going to start documenting every call more carefully with dates and rep names in case I need to escalate to a congressional inquiry. The financial stress of budgeting around benefits that should have started months ago is real, even knowing we'll eventually get retroactive payments. Thank you all for sharing your experiences - this thread has become such a valuable resource for navigating this bureaucratic nightmare! I'll definitely update everyone on any progress I make. Hopefully we can all start seeing some movement soon and get the benefits we've earned.

I'm so glad I found this thread! I'm dealing with the exact same frustrating situation - filed my retirement application in mid-December 2025 for March 2026 benefits and have been stuck in step 2 since late December. It's now been over 3 months with absolutely no progress. What's really striking is reading through all these experiences and seeing the clear pattern of delays for applications submitted during that November/December 2025 timeframe. This is obviously a widespread systemic issue, not individual problems with our applications. The complete lack of transparency from phone support is maddening - every rep just gives the same useless "it's still processing" script. I've called at least 6 times over the past two months and each time I get a different rep who tells me something slightly different, but none of them can give me any specifics about what's actually being reviewed or any realistic timeline. One mentioned "earnings verification" but couldn't explain what that meant or what I could provide to help move things along. Based on all the excellent advice shared here, I'm planning to visit my local SSA office next week with all my documentation. I'm definitely going to ask about the critical case designation for financial hardship that Miranda mentioned - I had no idea that was even an option. I'm also going to try asking them to read back exactly what they see on their screen about my case status since that seems to yield more detailed information. The congressional inquiry option sounds promising too if the office visit doesn't help. At this point I'm willing to try anything to get some real answers. The financial planning challenges are definitely stressful when you're counting on benefits that should start soon, even knowing we'll get retroactive payments eventually. Thank you all for creating such a valuable resource! This thread has given me both hope and concrete action steps to try. I'll definitely update everyone on what I discover at my office visit. Hopefully we can all start seeing some movement on our cases soon and finally get the benefits we've been waiting for!

I'm so sorry for your loss, Nia. Losing a spouse is heartbreaking, and having to navigate Social Security's confusing bureaucracy while grieving just makes everything so much harder. Reading through this entire discussion has been really eye-opening about how critical it is to get the timeline details absolutely right. The distinction between your regular retirement FRA and your survivor benefit FRA that everyone's discussing could literally make or break your financial planning for the next several years. If you were born in March 1963 and are turning 62 next month, your survivor benefit FRA would indeed be around age 66 and 2 months (roughly May 2029), not September 2025. This means the earnings limit on your survivor benefits could continue until 2029 - that's potentially 4 more years of benefit reductions than you're planning for with your $48,000 consulting income. Before your appointment next week, I'd suggest writing down these exact questions: - "What is my precise Full Retirement Age for survivor benefits - the exact month and year?" - "Is the September 2025 date my regular retirement FRA or my survivor benefit FRA?" - "If I earn $48,000 from March 2025 through 2029, exactly how much will be withheld from my survivor benefits?" - "Would it be better financially to take my own reduced retirement benefit now and switch to survivor benefits at my actual survivor FRA?" Don't let them rush you or give vague answers. Get everything in writing, ask for their employee ID, and request a mailed summary of your conversation. The timeline confusion could mean the difference between managing earnings limits for 8 months versus 4+ years. That's a huge difference in your ability to continue your consulting work without major benefit reductions. You deserve clear, accurate information to make the best decision during this incredibly difficult time.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Nia. Losing a spouse is devastating, and having to navigate SSA's complex system while grieving just adds another layer of difficulty to an already overwhelming time. This thread has really highlighted something crucial that you absolutely need to clarify at your appointment next week. There's been a lot of discussion about the timeline confusion between your regular retirement FRA and your survivor benefit FRA, and this distinction is critical because it could mean the difference between dealing with earnings limits for months versus years. As a newcomer to this community, I've been learning so much from everyone's experiences here, and what strikes me most is how many people have gotten conflicting or incomplete information from different SSA representatives. It seems like going into your appointment with very specific, written questions and demanding exact dates (not vague timeframes) is absolutely essential. The potential difference between earnings limits ending in September 2025 versus potentially continuing until 2029 (if your survivor FRA is actually around age 66 and 2 months) could completely change your strategy for balancing survivor benefits with your consulting income. That's potentially years of benefit reductions we're talking about. I'd echo what others have said about getting everything documented - ask for their employee ID, take detailed notes, and request a written summary. Given all the stories here about inconsistent information, protecting yourself with proper documentation seems crucial. Wishing you strength and clarity for your appointment. You're asking all the right questions, and I hope you finally get the accurate, consistent answers you deserve to make the best decision for your situation.

I'm so sorry for your loss and the incredible frustration you must be experiencing after waiting 18+ months. This is completely unacceptable - final payments for deceased beneficiaries should typically be processed within 60-90 days, not nearly two years! I went through something very similar when my father passed in early 2023. After months of getting nowhere with our local office giving me the same "it's pending" runaround, I finally got results by taking a multi-pronged approach: 1) Called the main SSA number (1-800-772-1213) at exactly 8:00 AM and used the specific phrase "delayed underpayment for deceased beneficiary" - this seemed to route me to someone with actual authority to investigate payment delays rather than just take a message. 2) Asked them to verify that my SSA-1724 form had actually made it to the regional Payment Center that processes these claims. Turns out it had been sitting at the local office for 8 months and was never forwarded! 3) Filed a complaint with the SSA Office of Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov under "payment processing delays" which triggered a different level of review. 4) Contacted my Congressional representative's office for a Social Security case inquiry - they have dedicated staff for these exact situations. Within 3 weeks of taking these steps, I finally got a callback from someone who could actually track down what happened and the payment was issued shortly after. Don't let them keep giving you vague responses - after 18 months you deserve specific answers and immediate action. This money is legally owed and there's no expiration date on claiming it. Stay persistent and don't give up!

I'm so sorry for your loss and the unbelievable stress this delay must be adding during an already difficult time. 18+ months is absolutely outrageous for what should be a routine final payment - you have every right to be frustrated and demand better service. I work with seniors and their families navigating government benefits, and unfortunately this type of extreme delay has become more common since 2020. Based on what I've seen work for other families, here's what I'd recommend: **Immediate action:** Call 1-800-772-1213 tomorrow at exactly 8:00 AM and use these specific words: "I need help with a delayed underpayment for deceased beneficiary." This exact phrasing seems to route you to representatives who actually have authority to investigate payment delays instead of just taking messages. **Key question to ask:** Have them verify that your SSA-1724 actually made it to the regional Payment Center that processes these claims. Many times forms get stuck at local offices and never get properly forwarded - which would explain the endless "pending" status with no progress. **If phone calls fail:** File a complaint at oig.ssa.gov under "payment processing delays" and contact your Congressional representative's office for a Social Security case inquiry. Both can cut through bureaucratic gridlock when normal channels fail. **Document everything:** Start keeping detailed records of every interaction - dates, times, representative names, and exactly what they tell you. After 18+ months, you deserve specific answers about what's causing the delay and a concrete timeline for resolution, not vague brush-offs. Don't give up - this payment is legally owed to your mother's estate and there's no time limit on claiming it. With the right approach, this can still be resolved!

Same experience here! And I just want to add that if you're married and only one person is working, the earnings limit only applies to the person actually receiving benefits. My wife kept working full-time while I took early SS and it didn't affect my benefits at all.

Just to add another important point - make sure you report any changes in your work income to SSA promptly! They prefer to adjust your benefits prospectively rather than have to recover overpayments later. You can report changes online through your my Social Security account or by calling them. I've found that being proactive about reporting income changes saves a lot of headaches down the road, especially since the earnings test calculations can get complex with irregular work schedules or seasonal employment.