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If I could give 10 stars I would If I could give 10 stars I would Such an amazing service so needed during the times when EDD almost never picks up Claimyr gets me on the phone with EDD every time without fail faster. A much needed service without Claimyr I would have never received the payment I needed to support me during my postpartum recovery. Thank you so much Claimyr!
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Social Security retirement application stuck in step 2 for 3 months - no payment received
I filed for my retirement benefits through SSA.gov on November 15th, 2025 with a January 2026 start date. My online status immediately updated the next day saying: "We started step 2 of 3 of the review process for your application. A representative in TACOMA WASHINGTON started reviewing your application on Nov 16, 2025. For most people this review takes 30 days." It's been almost 3 months now, and I'm still stuck at step 2! According to my benefit start date, I should have received my first payment today (April 10th), but nothing's hit my account. I've called the SSA office multiple times over the past month, but each time they just tell me "it's still processing" with zero additional information. I'm starting to get anxious since I've budgeted around receiving these payments. Is it normal for applications to be stuck in processing this long? Has anyone else experienced significant delays recently? Any advice on how to get more information would be greatly appreciated!
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Update on my situation: I FINALLY got through to someone helpful! Turns out my application was sitting in the queue because they were trying to verify my last employer's information, but they never told me they needed this verification! Once I provided it, my application moved to step 3 within 48 hours. Maybe something similar is happening with yours?
That's great news for you! I'll definitely ask if they're waiting on some specific verification from me when I call next. It's so frustrating that they don't tell us what's causing the delay.
Since you've already waited three months, I'd recommend taking these steps: 1. Request to speak with a supervisor when you call the 800 number - they have more authority to investigate 2. Ask specifically about whether your claim has been assigned to a claims specialist. If it has, request their direct number 3. If going to your local office, bring ID, your Social Security card, bank information, and any correspondence you've received about your application 4. Request written documentation of your application status to have a record By law, your benefits must be paid retroactively from your entitlement date once approved, including any delayed months.
Thank you! This is extremely helpful. I'll follow these steps exactly. It's reassuring to know I'll receive retroactive payments once it's finally approved.
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Andre Dupont
does anyone know if they tax the backpay different? getting 6 months all at once seems like it would push me into higher bracket
Mei Lin
•The lump sum retroactive payment is treated as income for the year you receive it, which could potentially push you into a higher tax bracket. However, there is an optional method called the "lump-sum election" that might help. This allows you to calculate the tax as if you had received the payments in the prior year they were actually for. You might want to consult with a tax professional when filing taxes for the year you receive the retroactive benefits.
Carmen Lopez
Make sure when you get your award letter that it clearly shows the retroactive period! My husband's initial letter didn't mention his backpay at all and we had to call to get it corrected. Once they fixed it in their system, the payment arrived within days. Also, be prepared that the backpay comes as a separate deposit from your regular monthly benefit. And definitely check the mySSA portal online regularly - sometimes it shows updates before you get official mail.
Ethan Taylor
•Thanks for the tip about checking the award letter carefully! I'll definitely make sure the retroactive period is listed correctly. I've set up my mySSA account already so I'll keep an eye on that too.
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One important factor many break-even calculators miss is the impact of required minimum distributions (RMDs) from retirement accounts. If you delay Social Security and use retirement account withdrawals to fund early retirement, you'll reduce future RMDs, potentially lowering your tax bracket in your 70s and beyond. Conversely, if you claim early and preserve retirement accounts, your RMDs could be larger, potentially pushing you into higher tax brackets and causing more of your Social Security to be taxable. This tax interaction effect can shift the break-even point by several years, typically making delaying benefits more advantageous than simple calculators suggest.
Dylan Cooper
•This is such an excellent point that most people miss! I worked with a financial planner who showed me that taking SS early while preserving my 401(k) would actually cost me more in taxes later due to larger RMDs pushing me into a higher bracket. The tax implications shifted my breakeven age by almost 4 years compared to the basic calculation.
my neighbor took ss at 62 and invested all of it in bitcoin and now hes rich lol. no calculator shows THAT option!!
This is TERRIBLE advice! Gambling your retirement security on cryptocurrency is EXACTLY how seniors end up broke and desperate! Social Security is meant for ESSENTIAL needs, not speculation. Your neighbor got lucky, but for every story like his, there are THOUSANDS who lost everything!
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Ryder Ross
One other benefit to consider: if you work after starting Social Security benefits and pay FICA taxes, the SSA will automatically recalculate your benefit amount annually. If your current earnings are higher than one of the 35 years used to calculate your initial benefit, your benefit amount could actually INCREASE. So working could potentially give you a permanent raise in your Social Security payment!
Kyle Wallace
•I had no idea about this! That's an extra bonus I wasn't expecting. Thank you!
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Make sure you keep EVERY paystub and document EVERYTHING!!! My friend lost her benefits because she couldn't prove she stayed under the limit when they did a review. The SSA lost her documentation she sent them TWICE and she had to start all over with her application. NIGHTMARE!
Thank you everyone for all this helpful information! I'm going to: 1) Make sure I stay under $1,550/month, 2) Keep track of my Trial Work Period months when I earn over $1,110, 3) Keep ALL my paystubs and documentation, 4) Look into finding a WIPA counselor, and 5) Try that Claimyr service to actually speak with an SSA rep about my specific situation. I'm still nervous but feel much better informed now.
Zadie Patel
•Sounds like a solid plan. One more tip: create a simple spreadsheet to track your monthly earnings. It's much easier than trying to piece everything together later if SSA requests information.
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just make sure you actually apply for your daughters benefits they dont do it automatic when he files
LunarLegend
One more important point that hasn't been mentioned - if your husband continues working after claiming at 62 (even part-time), he'll be subject to the earnings test until he reaches full retirement age. In 2025, beneficiaries who are under FRA for the entire year will have $1 in benefits withheld for every $2 earned above $22,320 (this amount increases yearly with inflation). Since your husband has always worked outside the fire department, this could significantly reduce both his benefits AND your daughter's if he continues working after claiming. The family maximum would still apply to whatever benefits remain after the earnings test reduction. This is another reason why many families in your situation might benefit from delaying the retirement claim, especially with a young child who would receive benefits for many years.
Oh wow, that's another wrinkle I hadn't considered. He was planning to do some consulting work after retiring from the fire department. It sounds like we really need to sit down with a financial advisor who specializes in Social Security planning. This is more complicated than I realized!
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Ava Martinez
I'm so jealous! I tried to do something similar but messed up my earnings calculation and went over the limit by about $4,800. Now SS is making me pay back some benefits and it's a whole hassle. Make sure you track your income REALLY carefully especially if you get any bonuses or overtime that might push you over unexpectedly.
If anyone finds themselves in this situation where SSA is seeking repayment of benefits due to exceeding the earnings limit, you have options: 1) You can request a waiver if it wasn't your fault and repayment would cause financial hardship (Form SSA-632) 2) You can set up a payment plan if you can't repay all at once (Form SSA-634) 3) If you disagree with their determination, you can file for reconsideration (Form SSA-561) It's best to contact SSA directly to discuss your specific situation. Getting through to them can be challenging though. If you're having trouble reaching a representative, I used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get a callback when handling my mother's survivor benefits issue. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU - saved me hours of hold time.
This is a textbook example of how to strategically time your Social Security benefits while managing the transition to retirement. Well done! One thing to consider: once you fully retire in July, you'll want to adjust your withholding on your Social Security benefits. Since you'll have lower total income for the second half of the year, you might be overwithholding. You can file Form W-4V to change your federal tax withholding rate on your Social Security benefits to either 7%, 10%, 12%, or 22% of your monthly benefit. Also, keep in mind that any severance package from your employer would count toward the earnings test limit in the year received. If you're expecting any significant payout when you leave your job, factor that into your calculations. Your strategy shows how powerful it can be to understand the nuances of Social Security rules!
Amara Okafor
•Thank you for mentioning Form W-4V - I'll definitely look into adjusting my withholding once I fully retire. And excellent point about severance! I am expecting a small package (2 weeks per year of service), so that will definitely count toward my earnings limit. I'll recalculate to make sure I stay under even with that included. I appreciate the reminder!
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i think ull get different answers depending who u talk to at ssa honestly. my neighbor tried somthing similar and got denied but my uncle got approved. seems like luck of the draw with which agent reviews ur case lol
While individual agents might explain it differently, the actual rules are consistent. The difference in outcomes usually comes down to whether the specific situation meets all requirements. The key factors are: 1) Did the disability occur within 5 years of starting early retirement, 2) Does the medical condition meet SSDI criteria, and 3) Did the person have enough recent work credits.
Cedric Chung
Thank you all so much for your help! We just submitted his application online yesterday. The hardest part was gathering all the medical documentation, but we made sure to include everything from his neurologist, physical therapist, and rehabilitation specialists. I'll update this thread once we hear back about his application. Fingers crossed it goes smoothly!
PaulineW
•good luck! hope u get it! my dad waited 6 months to get approved for his disability claim so dont worry if it takes a while
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Hazel Garcia
Thanks for all the great advice, everyone! I think I'm going to hold off on claiming for now since I'm still working and don't absolutely need the SS income yet. That 8% guaranteed increase each year seems too good to pass up. I'll check out that tax withholding calculator too since I definitely don't want a surprise tax bill. Really appreciate all your help!
Simon White
Smart choice! One final tip - even though you're delaying benefits, I'd recommend creating your my.ssa.gov account now if you haven't already. It's a good way to check your earnings record for accuracy and get updated benefit estimates as you continue working. Those additional earnings might further increase your eventual benefit amount.
Hazel Garcia
•Just set up my account! You're right - very helpful. Shows what my benefit would be at different ages. Thanks again!
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Misterclamation Skyblue
I just want to say THANK YOU to everyone who fought for years to get the GPO eliminated!!! My mother was a teacher for 35 years and lost out on THOUSANDS of dollars because of this unfair policy. She passed away last year never getting what she deserved. At least future generations of public servants won't have to suffer the same injustice. 😢
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Peyton Clarke
•So sorry about your mom. My aunt was in the same situation. These changes came too late for so many people.
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Tate Jensen
One additional point that hasn't been mentioned: Make sure to formally apply for these benefits as soon as you're eligible. The SSA will not automatically recalculate benefits for people affected by the GPO elimination. You need to initiate the process, and benefits are generally not retroactive beyond 6 months. With the phase-out schedule, determining the optimal application timing can be complex, so you might want to consult with a financial advisor who specializes in Social Security planning to maximize your lifetime benefits.
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Marcelle Drum
•This is extremely helpful information! I didn't realize I needed to proactively apply - I assumed they would automatically adjust. I'll definitely look into filing right away. Do you know if I need to bring anything specific to prove my pension amount when I apply?
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Tate Jensen
•Yes, bring documentation showing your current pension amount, such as a recent benefit statement or payment stub. Also bring your marriage certificate, both your and your husband's Social Security cards, and birth certificates if possible. The more documentation you have ready, the smoother the process will be. You might also want to bring any documents showing your own Social Security-covered work history.
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