Just a technical clarification: Social Security benefits are paid in the month following the month for which they are due. So if you apply today with benefits starting this month (April 2025), your April benefit would be paid in May, May's benefit in June, and so on. Regarding processing time, the SSA's current average is approximately 3-4 weeks for straightforward retirement benefit applications. However, if there are any issues requiring manual review, it can take longer. Once approved, your payment date is determined by your birth date, as others have explained. The retroactive benefits provision at FRA is important - you can request up to 6 months of retroactive benefits, but you must specifically request this during application or within 6 months of filing. The retroactive payments are typically included in your first regular payment.

Great advice from everyone here! I went through this process about 8 months ago and can confirm most of what's been shared. Applied online at FRA+2 months, took exactly 4 weeks for approval, then got my first payment 5 weeks after that according to my birth date schedule. One thing I wish someone had told me - even though you can request 6 months retroactive at FRA, they don't make it super obvious in the online application where to specify this. Look for the section asking "when do you want benefits to begin" and make sure you select the month you reached FRA, not the current month. I almost missed this and would have lost 2 months of benefits. Also, once you get your first payment, double-check the amount against your benefit estimate. Mine was off by about $30 due to a work credit calculation error, but they corrected it quickly once I called. The whole process was actually smoother than I expected despite all the horror stories you hear!

Anyone else notice that SSA seems to train their reps differently? I swear I've gotten different answers from different people about how GPO works! One told me it's based on the gross pension, another said it's based on net after health insurance deductions. The inconsistency is maddening!

This is such a helpful thread! I'm dealing with a similar situation with my own spousal benefits. I worked for the state government for 20 years and have been getting conflicting information from different SSA offices about how they calculate the GPO reduction. One thing I wanted to add - if anyone is still in the planning phase and hasn't filed yet, there's a "do-over" option within the first 12 months of claiming benefits. You can withdraw your application and repay all benefits received, then refile later. Obviously this doesn't help if you've already been receiving benefits for a while, but it might be worth considering for people who realize they made a mistake after learning about these calculation details. Also, I've found that bringing printed copies of the relevant POMS sections to appointments helps ensure you're talking to someone who actually understands the rules rather than just guessing.

One thing no one mentioned - if your daughter qualifies for SSI, she might be eligible for subsidized housing which could help with your living situation. There are often long waiting lists but some areas prioritize disabled applicants. Just something to look into while you're working on the SSI application.

I'm so sorry you and your daughter are going through this difficult situation. As someone who navigated the SSI process with a family member, I wanted to add a few practical tips that might help: 1. Document everything NOW - keep a daily log of her symptoms, episodes, and how they affect her daily functioning. This becomes crucial evidence later. 2. When you do get her to a psychiatrist, ask them specifically about completing a "Medical Source Statement" or RFC (Residual Functional Capacity) form - these carry significant weight in disability decisions. 3. Consider reaching out to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) in your area - they often have support groups for families and can connect you with local resources you might not know about. 4. If she's had any emergency room visits for mental health crises, those records can be valuable documentation even if they're older. The waiting and uncertainty is exhausting, but don't give up. Many people with bipolar disorder do qualify for SSI, especially when it significantly impacts their ability to work consistently. You're doing the right thing by advocating for her.

Thank you all SO much for the helpful information! I clearly had some major misconceptions about how all this works. I'm going to: 1. Look into volunteering first before jumping into paid work 2. Contact the WIPA program to understand my specific situation better 3. Research the Ticket to Work program 4. Rest easy knowing my husband's Medicare won't disappear when his SSDI converts It's such a relief to understand this better now. The anxiety of potentially losing healthcare coverage was really weighing on me. I appreciate everyone taking the time to explain things so clearly!

You're absolutely on the right track with your plan! One additional resource that might be helpful is your local SSA office - they can provide personalized guidance about your specific situation. Also, when you contact WIPA, ask them about "benefit planners" - they can actually run scenarios showing exactly how different earnings levels would affect your benefits. Since you mentioned being a stay-at-home mom for years, it's worth noting that if you do eventually return to work, even part-time earnings could potentially help fill in some zero-earning years in your Social Security record, which might boost your future retirement benefits. The healthcare piece is really the biggest hurdle for most people in your situation, so it's great that you now know Medicare continues seamlessly. That knowledge alone should help you sleep better! Best of luck with whatever path you choose.

Just to clarify something important that might not be obvious from the other responses - when you do eventually claim survivor benefits, you'll need to apply for them. Social Security doesn't automatically switch you over or start paying them when your husband passes away. You'll need to contact SSA (or visit a local office) with the death certificate, marriage certificate, and other documentation to start the process. Also, survivor benefits can be paid retroactively for up to 6 months from the date you apply, so don't worry if there's a delay in getting the paperwork together during what's already a difficult time. The key is to apply as soon as you reasonably can after the loss.

I just want to echo what others have said about the importance of planning ahead and having those conversations with SSA. My situation is similar to yours - I'm 61 and my husband is 64, and his estimated benefit is quite a bit higher than mine too. One thing I learned when I called SSA last month is that they can actually run hypothetical scenarios for you over the phone. They were able to tell me exactly what my survivor benefit would be at different claiming ages, and how it would compare to my own retirement benefit if I delayed claiming. It really helped me understand my options better than just trying to figure it out from the website. The representative I spoke with was very patient and walked me through several "what if" scenarios. If you do call, I'd suggest having both of your Social Security statements handy so they can give you the most accurate information for your specific situation.