I'm going through something similar right now! Filed my retirement application in September for a January start date and still showing "processing" status. Reading through everyone's experiences here is really reassuring - it sounds like 3-4 months is the new normal unfortunately. I've been checking my MySocialSecurity account obsessively but I think I need to just be patient. The advice about waiting until you're within 30 days of your benefit start date before calling makes a lot of sense. Hang in there!

I'm new to this community but experiencing the exact same frustrating situation! Filed my retirement application in early September for a February start date and it's been showing "processing" status for over 2 months now. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful - it's both reassuring to know this is normal now and infuriating that the SSA has gotten this slow. I was starting to panic thinking something was wrong with my application, but it sounds like 3-4 months is just the new reality. The stories about the phone system being impossible to get through are discouraging, but I'm glad to hear from folks like Andre about services like Claimyr if I really need to speak to someone. For now I think I'll follow the advice about waiting until I'm within 30 days of my benefit start date before trying to contact them. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences - this community is a lifesaver for navigating the SSA maze!

I wanted to follow up about your concern with bills coming due. While waiting for your survivor benefits to start, you might want to contact your mortgage company and other creditors to explain the situation. Many have hardship programs specifically for those who've lost a spouse and are waiting for benefits to begin. Also, the one-time $255 death benefit your other commenter mentioned is separate from survivor benefits and sometimes processes faster. It should be paid to the surviving spouse if you were living together when he passed away.

I'm so sorry for your loss. I went through this same process about 18 months ago when my husband passed. The waiting period is absolutely nerve-wracking, especially when you're dealing with grief and financial stress at the same time. From my experience, the timeline can vary quite a bit. Mine took about 5 weeks from the phone interview to the first payment, but I've heard anywhere from 3-8 weeks depending on the workload at your local office. The good news is that once it starts, you'll get all the retroactive payments in a lump sum covering the months since your husband passed. One thing that helped me was setting up direct deposit if you haven't already - it can speed things up by a few days compared to waiting for a check in the mail. Also, keep that confirmation number handy that they gave you during the phone interview. If you need to call back, it helps them locate your file faster. Hang in there - I know it feels like forever when you're watching every penny, but the payments will come through. The hardest part is just getting through this waiting period.

Just want to add another perspective as someone who went through this process recently. I applied for divorced spouse benefits in November and received my document request letter exactly 3 weeks later. The letter was very clear about what they needed and gave me multiple options for submission. One thing I'd recommend is updating your mailing address in your mySocialSecurity account if you've moved recently - I almost missed my letter because it went to an old address initially. Also, when you do get the letter, read it carefully because they sometimes ask for certified copies instead of originals for certain documents, which can save you a trip to the SSA office. The waiting is definitely nerve-wracking, but the process does work once it gets going. Hang in there!

I just wanted to jump in and say how incredibly helpful this entire discussion has been! I'm not currently going through this process myself, but my sister is planning to apply for divorced spouse benefits later this year, and I've been trying to help her understand what to expect. Reading through everyone's detailed experiences has given us such a clear picture of the timeline and process. The consistent advice about submitting documents in person, making copies beforehand, and getting receipts is exactly the kind of practical guidance that's impossible to find on the SSA website. It's really wonderful to see community members sharing their real experiences to help others navigate this confusing system. The waiting and uncertainty is clearly the most stressful part for everyone, but knowing what's normal versus what should be cause for concern makes such a difference. For anyone still in the waiting phase - it sounds like you're all doing everything right and are well within normal timeframes. The consensus seems to be that patience is key, but there are good options (like that Claimyr service someone mentioned) if you need to be more proactive after the 6-8 week mark. Thank you all for creating such a supportive and informative discussion!

just wondering why r u waiting till 70? i started at 67 and im happy i did. getting that money now to enjoy while im still active enough to travel

I just want to echo what everyone else has said - you're absolutely fine! I'm 72 and have been collecting Social Security since I turned 70 while continuing to work part-time. I earn about $60,000 a year and there's been zero impact on my benefits. Your coworker probably heard about the earnings limits that apply to people collecting benefits BEFORE their Full Retirement Age and got confused. The beauty of waiting until 70 like you're planning is that you get the maximum benefit amount AND complete freedom to earn whatever you want. It sounds like you've done your homework and made a smart financial decision. Don't let misinformation derail your well-thought-out plan!

does this work if ur ex husband dies too? we were married 12 years before divorce

I'm so sorry for your loss, Nora. What you're describing is absolutely a legitimate strategy and one of the smartest moves you can make in your situation. You can collect survivor benefits starting at age 60 (earlier if disabled) while allowing your own retirement benefit to continue growing until age 70. A few important points to consider: - At 62, your survivor benefit would be reduced to about 71.5% of your husband's full benefit amount - Your current earnings of $19,800 are safely under the 2025 limit of $22,320 - Your own retirement benefit will earn 8% delayed retirement credits each year you wait past your Full Retirement Age until 70 Since your husband was receiving SSDI, your survivor benefit would be based on his disability benefit amount. The key is to be very specific when applying - clearly state you want to apply ONLY for survivor benefits and exclude your own retirement benefits from the application. I'd strongly recommend getting a benefit estimate from SSA to compare what your survivor benefit would be now versus waiting until your FRA, and also get an estimate of what your own benefit would be at age 70. This will help you determine the optimal timing for your situation.