Can I apply for Social Security at 62 in September or must I wait until next year?

You can absolutely apply right now! The rule is you can apply up to 4 months before you want your benefits to start, and you're eligible for benefits beginning the first full month you're 62. Since you turned 62 in September, you're eligible for benefits starting with October. No need to wait until next year at all - your neighbor is incorrect. Just keep in mind that filing at 62 means you'll get about 30% less than if you waited until your Full Retirement Age (probably 67 for you). But if you need the money now, go ahead and apply on the SSA website or by calling them.

your neighbor is confusing SS with something else maybe medicare or taxes or something. i turned 62 in April and started getting benefits in May. you can apply RIGHT NOW and probably get October benefits if you hurry!!! but they don't backpay before application usually so dont wait!!!

I went thru this EXACT thing last year. Turned 62 in July and couldn't get anyone at SSA to answer my calls for WEEKS. Finally got someone who told me I could have applied back in April (3 months before turning 62). The system is totally broken and they make it impossible to get help!!!

Just wondering - have you checked what your benefit would be if you waited? When I was 62 I was going to file but then learned I'd get almost $800 more per month if I waited until 67! Just make sure you run the numbers before you decide.

congrats on turning 62!! welcome to the club lol. just wanted to say i filed online and it was super easy took like 20 mins. the website is way better than trying to call them

To clarify some of the information you've received: You can apply for retirement benefits once you've reached age 62, and you'll be eligible beginning the first full month you're 62. In your case, since you turned 62 in September, you're eligible beginning October. You can apply up to 4 months before you want benefits to begin. If you apply in October for October benefits, your first payment would arrive in November (SS pays a month behind). Keep in mind that your benefit amount is permanently reduced by approximately 0.5% for each month you receive benefits before your Full Retirement Age. At 62, this typically means about a 30% reduction compared to waiting until your FRA. Also, if you're still working, be aware of the earnings limit ($21,240 for 2023) - if you earn over this amount, $1 in benefits will be withheld for every $2 you earn above the limit.

One other thing to consider - if you're married, have you and your spouse discussed the best claiming strategy? Sometimes it makes more sense for the higher earner to delay claiming as long as possible (to maximize survivor benefits later) while the lower earner claims earlier. Might be worth consulting with a financial advisor who specializes in Social Security claiming strategies before you make your final decision.

did u try the ssa.gov website?? way easier than callng them

Since you mentioned you're currently receiving survivor benefits and will be switching to your own higher retirement benefit, there's something important you should know. If you apply for your retirement benefit now at 62, it will be permanently reduced. However, if you're already getting survivor benefits, you might want to consider a different approach. You could keep taking the survivor benefit now and delay applying for your own retirement until later - even up to age 70 if possible. This would allow your own retirement benefit to grow with delayed retirement credits. Then you could switch to your own (now larger) benefit. This strategy often maximizes lifetime benefits in your situation. I'd strongly recommend speaking with an SSA representative about your specific scenario before making a decision, as the optimal claiming strategy can be complicated when both survivor and retirement benefits are involved.

Just want to echo what others have said about your widow benefits situation - this is a game changer! I'm a retired benefits counselor and I've seen so many people miss out on thousands of dollars because they didn't know about this strategy. Since you're already getting survivor benefits, you have what's called "deemed filing" flexibility that most people don't have. You can literally let your own retirement benefit grow by about 8% per year (delayed retirement credits) from your Full Retirement Age until age 70, while continuing to collect the survivor benefit. That could potentially mean hundreds more per month for the rest of your life. Before you make any moves, definitely get the exact numbers from SSA on what your benefit would be at different ages - 62, your FRA, and age 70. Then you can make an informed decision based on your health, finances, and life expectancy. This is one of those situations where a few phone calls or meetings could literally be worth tens of thousands of dollars over your lifetime!

Yes, SSA can absolutely provide you with benefit projections at different claiming ages! When you call or visit a local office, ask them to run what's called a "benefit estimate" or "what-if" scenario. They can show you exactly what your retirement benefit would be at 62, at your Full Retirement Age, and at age 70, while you continue receiving your current survivor benefit. You can also get some of this information by creating a my Social Security account at ssa.gov - it will show your estimated retirement benefits at different ages. Just remember that as long as you're receiving survivor benefits, you have the luxury of time to let your own retirement benefit grow. Take advantage of having all the numbers before making your decision!