As a newcomer to this community, I want to thank everyone for creating such an incredibly helpful and comprehensive discussion! I'm turning 70 in September 2025 and was struggling with the exact same timing confusion until I found this thread. Reading through all these real experiences has been like getting a masterclass in Social Security application timing. The key insight that finally clicked for me was the distinction between "benefit month" and "payment month" that so many people explained clearly. I now understand that you select your birth month in the application (March 2025 in your case), even though the actual payment arrives the following month. What really gives me confidence is seeing how many people have successfully completed this exact process recently - from the person who applied in August for December benefits to those who just submitted applications last week. The consistency of advice across all responses is reassuring: apply 3-4 months early, select your birth month as the benefit start date, and gather all documents beforehand. I'm bookmarking this entire discussion as my reference guide for when I apply in a few months. You've not only solved your own timing question but helped create an amazing resource for others approaching 70. Congratulations on making it to maximum benefits - your patience and planning are about to pay off!

As a newcomer to this community, I just want to say how incredibly valuable this entire discussion has been! I'm turning 70 in January 2026 and was completely confused about the application timing until I found this thread. Reading through everyone's real experiences has made everything so much clearer. The key insight that really helped me was understanding the difference between "benefit month" and "payment month" - I kept getting confused about which one to select in the application, just like you were! Now I understand that since your birthday is March 17th (after the 2nd), you should definitely select March 2025 as your benefit start month, and your first payment will arrive in April 2025. What gives me the most confidence is seeing how many people have successfully completed this exact process recently with positive outcomes. The advice is remarkably consistent across all responses: apply 3-4 months early (which you're doing perfectly), select your birth month as the benefit start date, and make sure to gather all your documents beforehand to avoid those timeout issues several people mentioned. I'm planning to apply in about 9 months following this same approach, and I feel so much more prepared now thanks to everyone sharing their experiences here. You've not only solved your own timing question but helped create an amazing resource for others of us approaching this milestone. Congratulations on reaching 70 and maximizing your delayed retirement credits - your careful planning is about to pay off!

I just successfully completed my login.gov transition this afternoon after being encouraged by all the positive experiences shared in this thread! Like so many others here, I was initially very suspicious when my regular MySocialSecurity login redirected me to login.gov - I actually closed the browser immediately thinking it might be a phishing attempt. Reading through everyone's detailed experiences over the past few days completely changed my perspective and gave me the confidence to move forward. The setup took me about 20 minutes total, following the excellent advice shared here: started from ssa.gov, used my desktop computer, had my phone ready for verification codes, and cleared my browser cache beforehand. I did need to upload my driver's license for identity verification, but it was approved within about 3 minutes. Like literally everyone else who's completed this transition, all my historical data transferred over perfectly - benefit statements going back to 2016, payment records, saved documents, everything is exactly where it was before. The enhanced security features with two-factor authentication definitely make me feel more confident about protecting my personal information. For anyone still hesitating - this thread shows overwhelming evidence that this is legitimate, safe, and preserves all your important data. The collective wisdom and encouragement from this community made all the difference in helping me get this important task completed. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences!

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Just tried to access my MySocialSecurity account this morning and got that confusing redirect to login.gov. Like many others here, my first reaction was suspicion - I thought I might have clicked on a phishing link or something malicious. Reading through all these detailed experiences has been incredibly reassuring though. It's clear this is a legitimate security upgrade that SSA has been rolling out, even if they didn't do the best job communicating it to users beforehand. The consistency of everyone's positive outcomes, especially regarding data preservation, gives me a lot of confidence to move forward. I really appreciate all the practical tips shared here - starting from ssa.gov rather than going directly to login.gov, using a desktop computer for better visibility, having your phone ready for verification codes, and clearing browser cache beforehand. The fact that literally everyone has had their historical benefit statements, payment records, and saved documents transfer over perfectly is exactly what I needed to hear. Planning to tackle this setup over the weekend following all the excellent advice from this community. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their step-by-step experiences - it's transformed what initially seemed like a potentially sketchy situation into something I can approach with confidence!

I'm so sorry for your loss. I went through this exact situation about 3 months ago and had the same anxiety about mailing original documents. You absolutely can bring them to your local office instead! During your phone appointment on Thursday, just mention upfront that you'd prefer to handle the document verification in person - they're very understanding about this concern. After my phone interview, they scheduled me to come in the following Tuesday. The process was really smooth - I brought everything on their list plus my photo ID, they reviewed each document, made copies while I waited (took about 15 minutes), and handed all my originals back to me right away. Such a relief to walk out with them still in my possession! One tip: have everything organized and ready in a folder so you don't forget anything and have to make a second trip. The staff were very compassionate and helpful during what they understand is a difficult time. You've got this!

I'm so sorry for your loss. I completely understand your concern about mailing original documents - that would make me incredibly nervous too! The good news is you definitely don't have to mail them. During your phone appointment on Thursday, just let them know right away that you'd prefer to bring your documents to the local office instead. They're very accommodating about this and will schedule you for an in-person appointment, usually within a week or so of your phone interview. When you go, they'll review each document, make copies or scan them while you wait (typically takes about 15-20 minutes), and hand your originals right back to you immediately. Just make sure to bring everything on their list plus a valid photo ID. The peace of mind of keeping your irreplaceable documents safe is absolutely worth the extra trip. Focus on getting through your phone appointment first - they'll guide you through the document process step by step. Wishing you strength during this difficult time.

As a newcomer to this community, I'm incredibly grateful to have discovered this comprehensive discussion about the GPO/WEP reform! My husband has been teaching in North Carolina under the Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System for 23 years (no SS contributions) while I've been working in the private sector and expect about $2,800/month from Social Security at full retirement age. Like so many others here, I completely misunderstood what the reform actually provided - I thought it meant immediate full spousal benefits, so learning about the gradual 10-year implementation timeline has definitely required us to recalibrate our retirement planning expectations. However, this discussion has been far more enlightening than any official government resources I've encountered! The practical advice throughout this thread has been invaluable - from the callback service recommendations and optimal SSA contact timing to the critical importance of comprehensive documentation and the various additional resources like union workshops, AARP chapters, and state retirement system websites. My husband did work in retail management for about 5 years before entering education, so those early SS quarters could potentially be significant for our situation. I'm starting the employment documentation spreadsheet today based on all the excellent advice shared here, and I plan to contact our North Carolina Association of Educators to inquire about any available informational sessions. The collective knowledge this community has assembled while we all await official SSA implementation is truly remarkable - you've created a more useful and comprehensive resource than anything currently available through government channels. Thank you all for making this complex and uncertain transition period feel much more manageable through shared experiences and mutual support!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm so grateful to have found this incredibly informative discussion! My situation mirrors many of yours - my wife has been teaching in Arizona under ASRS for 20 years (no SS contributions) while I've worked in the private sector and expect about $3,050/month from Social Security. Like everyone else here, I initially thought the reform meant immediate full spousal benefits, so learning about the gradual 10-year phase-in has definitely adjusted our expectations. But honestly, this conversation has been more helpful than anything I've found on official websites! The practical tips shared here are fantastic - the callback services, the Tuesday/Wednesday 8AM calling strategy, and especially the documentation advice. My wife worked in corporate finance for about 6 years before teaching, so those early SS quarters could be crucial. I'm creating that employment spreadsheet immediately and will reach out to our Arizona Education Association for any workshops they might offer. One thing I wanted to add that might help others: I recently spoke with a financial advisor who mentioned that some advisors are starting to specialize in GPO/WEP planning given how many clients are affected. It might be worth asking local fee-only financial planners if they have expertise in this area while we're all waiting for SSA to get their systems updated. Thanks to everyone for creating such a supportive and knowledgeable community during this confusing transition period!

I'm new to this community and experiencing the exact same IRMAA letter delay! Haven't received my 2025 determination yet and it's making budget planning really challenging. My income went up substantially in 2023 due to selling some rental property, so I'm expecting higher premiums but have no clue what amount to prepare for. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly reassuring - I was starting to worry that my letter got lost in the mail! The dedicated Medicare premium hotline at 1-800-772-1213 that everyone keeps mentioning sounds like a much better option than the main SSA line where I've been getting disconnected after hour-long waits. The income threshold breakdown that Nia provided is super helpful for rough estimates too. It's amazing how this community shares such practical, actionable advice. I'm definitely going to try that Medicare premium line tomorrow morning and see if I can finally get some answers. Thanks to everyone for making me feel less alone in this bureaucratic maze!

I'm new to this community and dealing with the exact same IRMAA letter delay! Still haven't received my 2025 determination and it's incredibly frustrating trying to plan my budget without knowing what my Medicare premiums will be. My income increased in 2023 due to some freelance consulting work that went really well, so I know I'll be paying more but have no idea which tier I'll fall into. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been such a huge help - especially learning about the processing delays and that dedicated Medicare premium hotline at 1-800-772-1213. I had no clue there was a separate line with shorter wait times! I've been banging my head against the wall trying to get through the main SSA number. The income threshold breakdown that Nia shared is incredibly useful for getting rough estimates while we wait. It's so reassuring to know this is affecting so many people and not just me being forgotten by the system. Planning to try that Medicare premium line first thing Monday morning. Thanks to everyone for sharing such practical advice - this community is a lifesaver for dealing with government bureaucracy!