Here's a practical tip: If you want to minimize the wait time, make sure you have these items ready before applying: 1. Your original birth certificate or passport (or certified copies) 2. Your Social Security card 3. W-2 forms or self-employment tax returns for last year 4. Military service papers if applicable 5. Bank account information for direct deposit Also, apply at the beginning of a month if possible. Since benefits are paid in the month following eligibility, applying early in the month may help you get into the payment system sooner rather than later.

just wanna add that once your benefits DO start, they'll be super consistent. my checks arrive like clockwork same day every month. so even if there's a wait at first, at least you can count on them after that

After reading through all these comments, it sounds like SSA's online tools are basically useless for serious financial planning. How are we supposed to make retirement decisions with such wildly inaccurate information? I've been planning based on those estimates too and now I'm worried my actual benefit will be way off as well. Please update us after you get that detailed explanation - I'm really curious what they say.

oh and btw dont feel bad about not reaching 70!! i tried to wait too but had to file at 67 and a half. life happens!!! the 8% per year thing sounds great but when you actually NEED the money its a different story. hope you get answers on the calculation thing!

Based on your additional information about the surgery occurring in 2019 with documentation, you have a legitimate path forward. Here's what I recommend: 1. Use Claimyr or visit your local SSA office to confirm your exact date last insured 2. If your DLI was after your 2019 surgery, proceed with gathering your medical evidence 3. In your application, clearly specify an onset date in 2019 when the surgical complications began 4. Include all medical documentation from 2019-present showing consistent treatment 5. Consider getting a statement from your doctor specifically addressing how your condition prevented substantial gainful activity since 2019 The fact that you weren't working at the time of onset doesn't matter as much as proving the disability began before your DLI expired. The key is establishing that your medical condition would have prevented you from working since 2019 if you had attempted to return to work.

I will say, based on personal experience, applying for a closed period SSDI claim with an onset date from several years ago is challenging but absolutely possible. The key is having thorough documentation and being VERY specific about your onset date. The SSA will want to see that you've been receiving consistent treatment for your condition since 2019. Any gaps in treatment can be problematic, so be prepared to explain any periods where you might not have seen doctors regularly.

My condolences about your mom. everybody already answered your main question but just wanted to say make sure you have all her paperwork in order BEFORE she passes. My mom died last year and it was a nightmare dealing with the title company because we couldnt find some important papers. If the house needs to go through probate that can take forever too. Start organizing now while she's still here to answer questions. Sorry if this is off topic but thought it might help

To summarize what everyone has correctly stated: 1. Inheritance money has NO impact on Social Security retirement benefits 2. Only earned income (wages, self-employment) counts toward the earnings limit 3. Unearned income (inheritance, interest, dividends, capital gains, rental income, pensions) does NOT count toward the earnings limit 4. This would be different if you were receiving SSI (Supplemental Security Income), which has asset limits 5. While the inheritance won't affect your Social Security benefit amount, it could potentially affect the taxation of your benefits depending on your overall income You can proceed with receiving your inheritance without any concerns about your Social Security retirement benefits being reduced.

btw when you do get approved theyll pay you for any months you missed so you wont lose any money

After reading through this thread, I think you're still well within normal processing times, but here's what I'd suggest as a next step: call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 during non-peak hours (try Wednesday-Friday in the afternoon) and simply ask for a status update. The representative can verify that: 1) Your application is actually in the system and processing (for peace of mind) 2) There are no outstanding issues requiring additional documentation 3) Everything is on track for your March payment If you've provided a phone number on your application, make sure to answer all calls, even from unknown numbers, as SSA representatives often call from blocked numbers when they need additional information. Missing their call could further delay processing.

my brother started his ss 3 months before fra and social security messed up his payments 3 times!!! first they didnt pay him at all then they paid him too much then they suddenly stopped his payments saying he earned too much but he was already retired!! it took months to fix, just be warned their system is a mess!!!

Thank you everyone for all the helpful responses! Based on your advice, it sounds like claiming 2 months early shouldn't cause major issues in my situation. I'll double-check the tax implications and make sure I clearly communicate my earnings expectations to SSA when I apply. I'll also be careful to watch for any calculation errors in the first few months. Really appreciate all the insights!

To clarify a technical point about your situation: The maximum Federal SSI payment in 2025 is $943 (assuming this is correct from your post). So with the $20 general income exclusion, your son's total benefits would be $963 ($20 survivor benefits + $943 SSI). If he's approved for VA DIC as the child of a veteran with service-connected disability, that additional benefit (currently around $400-500 monthly for dependent children) would NOT reduce his SSI, as it's specifically excluded as income for SSI purposes under the law. So potentially, he could receive approximately $1,400+ monthly combined from all benefits. Make sure SSA correctly categorizes his VA benefit when it starts.

Thank you everyone for all this helpful information! I've scheduled a meeting with the VA benefits counselor next week and I'm going to bring printouts of the SSA determination letter. I'll definitely specify that we're applying for DIC benefits and make sure SSA understands these are VA service-connected benefits when we report them. I'm also going to look into both the ABLE account and the Childhood Disability Benefit options. I had no idea there were so many different programs with different rules! It's a relief to hear from others who've successfully navigated this and been able to receive both benefits. Managing my son's care alone has been overwhelming since my husband passed, so this financial support will make a huge difference.

I think there's some confusion in this thread. The benefit is real, but there are specific requirements. Your child can get benefits on your record when you start collecting retirement, but: 1. The child must be unmarried 2. Under 18 (or up to 19 if still in high school) 3. The benefit is up to 50% of your PIA 4. There's a family maximum benefit that might reduce the amount Also, just to clarify something I saw earlier - these payments continue even if the child is working. Their earnings don't affect eligibility like they would for SSI.

Ok I just got off the phone with SSA after waiting FOREVER and I want to share what I learned since we're in similar situations: 1. Yes, our teen children CAN get benefits when we claim retirement 2. It's NOT automatic - we need to apply for them specifically 3. They recommended applying for the child's benefits at the same time as your own 4. You'll need the child's birth certificate, SS card, and YOUR marriage certificate if your name on the birth certificate is different than your current name 5. Benefits can continue until 19 if still in high school 6. The money goes to YOU as representative payee until they turn 18 Hope this helps someone! The agent I spoke with actually seemed surprised I knew to ask about this benefit!

Something else to consider - even though there's a benefit reduction if he goes over the earnings limit, it's not actually "lost" forever. When he reaches full retirement age, SSA will recalculate his benefit amount to credit back those withheld benefits over time. Not many people realize this!

Does your huband have access to his Social Security statement online? The My Social Security account shows your estimated benefits and has a calculator that can help show how different earning levels affect benefits. It might help visualize the impact of different working scenarios.

did she work enough quarters to qualify? my cousin thought she would get ss but didnt have enough credits

One last thing to consider - since your wife reaches FRA in November 2024, if she plans to keep working at all, selecting December 2024 (for January 2025 payment) as her start month means she won't be subject to the earnings test for December. The earnings test no longer applies once you reach FRA, so her December earnings won't affect her benefits regardless of the amount.