Social Security Administration
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Social Security application processing time for January 2024 benefits - still waiting after 6 weeks
I submitted my retirement application on December 10th, 2023 for benefits to start January 2024 (turning 66 and 2 months - my FRA). We're now in mid-February and my MySocialSecurity account still shows 'processing'. I've called SSA about 15 times but can never get through! Just wondering if this is normal or if I should be concerned? Anyone else apply in December for January benefits who can share how long your approval took? I've worked for 42 years and really need these payments to start soon as I've already retired from my job thinking benefits would start on time.
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Social Security check after death - will SS reclaim October payment and still send November benefit?
My mother passed away on November 11th and I'm trying to figure out what happens with her Social Security payments. We share a joint bank account where her SS benefits are deposited on the 23rd of each month. I'm confused about two things: 1) Will Social Security take back her October payment since she died in November? 2) Will her final November payment still come on the 23rd even though she passed away on the 11th? Has anyone dealt with this situation before? The local SSA office has a 3-week wait for appointments and I'm getting conflicting info online. Thanks for any help.
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hey dont 4get to ask about the death benefit! i think its like $255 or something. not much but its something!
The $255 death benefit is only payable to a surviving spouse who was living with the deceased or to dependent children. It's not payable to adult children handling a parent's estate unless they were dependents.
I'm so sorry for your loss. This is such a difficult time and dealing with bureaucracy on top of grief is exhausting. Just wanted to add that if you're having trouble getting through to SSA by phone, you can also report the death online through your mother's my Social Security account if she had one set up, or you can visit your local SSA office. Sometimes going in person, even without an appointment, can be faster than waiting on hold for hours. Also, make sure to keep records of when you reported the death in case there are any issues later. The community here has given you great advice - the November payment for October should still come through since she was alive all of October. Hang in there.
Social Security WEP confusion - How to calculate spousal benefits after 2023 law change?
I've been receiving my own Social Security since 69 (reduced by WEP since I worked for a county parks department). Just found out about the recent law change that might let me collect spousal benefits too! My husband filed at 62 and gets about $1,650/month. I'll reach my full retirement age (FRA) in about 3 months. I have so many questions... Do I use HIS full retirement age to calculate what I might get as a spouse, or is it based on MY FRA? And should I wait until I hit my FRA to apply for the spousal benefits, or apply now? Also, how does the WEP affect the spousal amount - does it reduce that too? I'm confused about how this all works with the new law changes. Has anyone gone through this process recently with the WEP modifications? Any advice would be much appreciated!
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The WORST part is how they apply these rules so INCONSISTENTLY!! My friend and I both worked for the same school district and have similar situations but got COMPLETELY different answers from SSA about our spousal benefits!!! It's like they're making it up as they go along sometimes!! 😡
This is because the new rules are being phased in gradually and affect people differently based on their exact work histories. Two people with similar but not identical work patterns can have different outcomes. The transition period creates situations where some people see larger increases than others. It's not inconsistency - it's that the formulas are incredibly complex and personalized.
Thank you all for the helpful responses! I've scheduled an appointment with SSA for next month, right after I reach my FRA. I'm gathering all my pension documentation and work history records like suggested. I'll make sure to specifically ask about how both WEP and GPO apply in my situation with the new law changes. I'm hopeful I might get a bit more in benefits, even if it's not the full 50% of my husband's PIA. Every bit helps with groceries getting so expensive lately! Wish me luck navigating the SSA bureaucracy! I'll update here after my appointment in case it helps anyone else in a similar situation.
Good plan waiting until you reach FRA. One final tip: after your appointment, ask for a detailed explanation in writing of how they calculated your benefit. This serves two purposes: 1) It helps you understand exactly what you're receiving, and 2) If there's ever a question later, you have documentation of how they made their determination. Good luck!
Please do update us after your appointment! I'm in a very similar situation - worked for the state university system for 25 years and just learned about these changes. My husband is already collecting SS and I'm turning 66 next year. It would be so helpful to hear how your case gets handled, especially since you're going through this right as the new rules are being implemented. Fingers crossed you get some good news!
Can my niece (14) receive Social Security survivor benefits after her mom died at 41?
My SIL passed away unexpectedly last month at 41. She raised her daughter (my niece) as a single mom and worked consistently for about 18 years at various office jobs. My niece is 14 and now living with my husband and me. We're trying to figure out if she's eligible for any Social Security survivor benefits based on her mom's work record? My SIL didn't have much savings or life insurance, and while we can provide for my niece's basic needs, any additional financial support would really help with future education costs. How do we even begin this process? Do we need to go to a local SSA office or can we start online? Any advice is greatly appreciated.
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After you become the representative payee, make sure you keep good records of how you spend the benefit money. The SSA requires an annual accounting, and they can audit you. Open a separate bank account for the benefit money if possible - it makes tracking much easier. The money should be used for your niece's food, housing, clothes, education, medical needs, and recreation. Also, when your niece turns 17, start planning for the benefit end date. Many families don't prepare for this cut-off and it can cause financial strain.
This is really good advice about the separate bank account - I hadn't thought about that. We'll definitely set one up to keep everything organized and transparent. And thank you for the heads-up about planning for the end date. Four years seems like a long time, but I'm sure it will go by quickly.
I'm so sorry for your family's loss. This is such a difficult time, and it's wonderful that you're stepping up to care for your niece. Just wanted to add a few practical tips from when I helped my cousin navigate this process: 1. Before you call or visit SSA, gather ALL the documents mentioned in the other comments and make copies of everything. Keep originals in a safe place. 2. If you do end up waiting on hold for hours, use speakerphone and do other tasks while waiting - don't let it consume your entire day. 3. Ask the SSA representative to mail you a written summary of what benefits your niece is eligible for and the monthly amount. Sometimes there are discrepancies between what they tell you verbally and what actually happens. 4. Consider setting up direct deposit immediately when you apply - it's more secure than waiting for checks in the mail. The survivor benefits should definitely help with your niece's future education costs. College financial aid offices are also familiar with these situations and can often provide additional assistance for students who've lost parents. You're doing everything right by starting this process quickly. Wishing you and your niece all the best during this transition.
Can my 49-year-old neighbor get Social Security survivor benefits after husband died at 68?
My neighbor's husband passed away last week at age 68. He had just started collecting Social Security retirement in February 2025 (only been getting payments for about 3 months). She's only 49 and they were married for 19 years. When she called SSA, the representative told her she's only entitled to a one-time $255 death benefit payment! That seems incredibly low for someone who worked their whole life. I'm trying to help her understand what benefits she should actually be getting. Does she qualify for monthly survivor benefits even though she's under retirement age? And I think when she reaches retirement age, she can choose between her own benefit or his (whichever is higher), but I'm not sure. The whole system is confusing and she's overwhelmed with grief right now. Any help understanding what she should actually be entitled to would be appreciated!
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oopssss i was wrong in my first comment! i just double-checked and widows can actually file as early as age 50 if they're disabled (not 55 like i said). edited my comment. sorry for the confusion!
No problem, thanks for the correction! That's still 10+ years away for her though, which is a long time to wait when you're suddenly without income.
I'm so sorry for your neighbor's loss. This is such a difficult time to be dealing with these complicated benefit rules. One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet - she should also ask SSA about any potential benefits from her husband's employer. Some companies provide survivor benefits or life insurance that aren't related to Social Security. Also, if he was a veteran, she might be eligible for VA survivor benefits which have different rules than SSA. It's worth checking all possible sources of support during this incredibly challenging period. The fact that you're helping her navigate this shows what a caring neighbor you are!
Genevieve Cavalier
my wife filed dec 5 for jan benefits and got aproved jan 23 so like 7 weeks. but her sister filed same day and still waiting now. ssme office even. makes no sense how random it is
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Cassandra Moon
It often depends on which processing center your application is routed to and individual workloads. Also, even small differences in work history can require different verification processes. For example, if one person worked exclusively for employers while another had some self-employment income, the latter typically takes longer to process.
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Nora Brooks
Update: I finally got through to SSA today after trying at exactly 8:00am! The agent said my application had a flag because I had worked in another state for a few years and they were waiting on wage verification. She removed the flag since it had been pending too long and said my benefits should be processed within 5-7 business days. She also confirmed I'll receive backpay for January and February. Thank you all for your advice and sharing your experiences!
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Zane Hernandez
How did you manage to get through at 8am? I tried that for weeks with no luck. The system would just tell me they were experiencing high call volume and hang up.
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Amaya Watson
@Zane Hernandez I kept calling repeatedly right at 8:00am sharp - like literally hitting redial every few seconds. It took about 20 attempts but I finally got in the queue instead of getting the busy message. I think persistence and timing are key - maybe try calling a few minutes before 8 and then hitting redial right at 8:00?
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