Can I apply for Social Security now if I'm retiring in April 2025 after reaching FRA?

Yes, you can absolutely apply now! Social Security lets you apply up to 4 months before you want your benefits to begin. Since you've already reached your FRA (congrats!), you won't have any reduction in benefits regardless of when you apply. The online application is pretty user-friendly - I completed mine in about 30 minutes last year. Make sure you have your birth certificate, tax info, and bank details ready before you start. You'll receive a confirmation number when you're done that you should save for reference.

i did mine online to. its pretty easy but have all your stuff ready before u start. they ask alot of questions about work history and marriages. u might get stuck if u don't have dates ready.

DO NOT TRUST THE ONLINE SYSTEM!!! I applied online and they LOST my application TWICE!!! Wasted 3 months waiting for benefits that never came. When I finally got through to someone they had NO RECORD of my application. Now I'm still fighting to get my backpay. Go to the office in person and get PROOF they received everything!!!

I just helped my husband apply last month. We tried calling to make an appointment and spent 3 hours on hold before giving up. Then we discovered Claimyr (claimyr.com) which got us through to a real SSA agent in about 15 minutes! Their demo video (https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU) shows exactly how it works. The agent answered all our questions about the online application process, and confirmed we were filling it out correctly. Much less stressful than trying to figure it all out ourselves.

I retired on my 66th birthday last year (that was my FRA) and applied online 3 months before. Super easy, but ONE IMPORTANT THING - you need to specify the EXACT MONTH you want benefits to start! Don't just say "when I retire" because they might start them the month you apply. Be very clear about May 2025 as your benefit start date! Also, make sure you understand how Medicare works with your employer insurance if you're on that now. Those two systems interact in weird ways during the transition!!

my sister tried to do this and ended up getting payments before she wanted them and it messed up her taxes something fierce. she had to pay some back. be super clear about the date.

One more thing to consider since you're past FRA - have you looked into whether you might qualify for any retroactive benefits? Since you reached FRA in December, you could potentially request up to 6 months of retroactive benefits if you wanted to (though that would set your benefit start date earlier than May). Just something to consider if it would be financially advantageous.

When I went thru this last year the most confusing part was figuring out my start date vs application date vs first payment date. They're all different! You apply in Jan 2025, request benefits to START May 2025, but your first PAYMENT for May won't arrive until June 2025. Social Security always pays a month behind. Don't plan your budget expecting that first check on May 1st!

Since you're retiring in April, you should also know that if you're still working January-April, those earnings won't affect your benefits at all since you're past FRA. The earnings test doesn't apply once you've reached full retirement age. Just make sure you report your expected earnings for 2025 accurately on your application.

One last piece of advice - after you submit your application, create a my Social Security account on ssa.gov if you haven't already. You can track your application status there, and once you're receiving benefits, you can get benefit verification letters, change your address, set up or change direct deposit, and get your 1099 at tax time. It's super convenient and saves you from having to call or visit the office for routine things.