Applied for SS retirement benefits in November - stuck at step 2 for weeks with mysterious text messages

Unfortunately, this is pretty common right now. SSA is severely understaffed and many retirement claims are taking 8-12 weeks to process, especially if there's anything unusual about your work history or if you're also filing for spousal benefits. The text notification glitch has been happening a lot lately - it's usually because their system generated an auto-message but it didn't properly upload to your mySocialSecurity account. You have three options: 1) Keep waiting (safest but frustrating), 2) Try visiting your local SSA office in person (bring ID and be prepared to wait), or 3) Call the national number, but do it right when they open at 8am to minimize wait times.

same thing happened to me!! got like 4 txts but NOTHING in my account. so annoying. ended up having to call and wait 2 hrs just to find out they needed a copy of my birth certificate even tho i uploaded it with my application already. check ur junk email folder too sometimes they email instead of messaging in the portal. good luck

The SS system is COMPLETELY BROKEN!!! I waited 14 weeks for my retirement application to process last year and every time I called they gave me a different story. One rep said they could see notes that they needed more info from me but admitted NOBODY HAD EVER CONTACTED ME to request it!!! The left hand has no idea what the right hand is doing over there. And don't get me started on those text messages - I got them too and there was nothing in my account. Total waste of taxpayer money on a dysfunctional system.

If you really want to find out what's going on without wasting a whole day on hold, try using Claimyr. I was in the exact same situation (stuck at step 2 for almost 2 months with no updates). After getting nowhere for weeks, I used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and they got me through to an actual SSA agent in about 20 minutes. Turns out they were missing a document from my employer but had never notified me! You can see how it works in their demo video: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU Sometimes it's worth paying a little to avoid the stress and uncertainty.

I work as a benefits counselor and see this ALL the time with my clients. Here's what's likely happening: When you submit an online application, it goes to a processing center that may not be in your local area. They're reviewing your earnings record to calculate your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), checking if you qualify for a higher spousal benefit, and verifying your identity documentation. Those text messages are usually triggered when they upload something to your account OR when they try to contact you by phone but can't reach you. Check your phone - do you have any missed calls from unknown numbers around the times you received those texts? One thing I recommend to all my clients - check that the phone number in your mySocialSecurity profile is correct. I had one client who had transposed two digits and missed all their calls!

I went through this exact scenario last year when applying for my retirement benefits! The text message thing is super confusing. When I finally got through to someone on the phone (after like 2 hours on hold), they told me that sometimes their system generates notifications for internal status changes that aren't actually visible to us. So frustrating! One tip if you do end up having to call - Thursdays and Fridays tend to have shorter wait times than Mondays and Tuesdays. And if you call during lunch hours (1-2pm), you might get through faster because that's when a lot of the morning callers have already been helped and the afternoon rush hasn't started yet.

Just to follow up on your question about whether these delays will affect your benefit start date - they shouldn't. As long as you applied before you wanted benefits to begin (which you did), your March 2025 start date should be preserved regardless of how long the processing takes. When your application is finally approved, if it's after March, you'll receive back payments for any months you missed. The only exception would be if they find an issue with your application that requires you to refile completely, but that's rare for straightforward retirement claims.

one more thing - make sure ur checking the MESSAGE CENTER when u log in not just the dashboard. i thought i had no messages for weeks till someone told me to click on the envelope icon. ss website is so confusing!!

@OP after seeing you mention your application is pretty straightforward, I'd definitely give it at least 8 weeks total before getting too concerned. My neighbor just retired and his application took 9 weeks with zero communication, then suddenly one day he got the approval letter. The current backlog is pretty significant. If you're approaching the 8-week mark with no movement though, that's when I'd consider either visiting a field office or finding a way to get through on the phone without the ridiculous wait times.