Can I collect Social Security at beginning of year I turn 70 or must I wait until actual birth month?

The short answer is that you have to wait until you actually turn 70 to get your maximum benefit. Social Security doesn't have a "year you become eligible" rule for age 70 - it's based on your actual birth month. When you turn 70 in September 2023, your first payment would be for September but would arrive in October (SS pays a month behind). Each month you delay beyond your Full Retirement Age (which would have been around 66 for your birth year) adds about 2/3 of 1% to your benefit amount, up to age 70. If you filed in January 2023, you'd only get the delayed credits you've earned up to that point (around 66 + 7 years), not the full delayed retirement credits for waiting until 70.

I turned 70 last year and trust me you gotta wait till your birthday month. They're super strict about this. I tried asking about getting it in January of my 70th year and the SSA lady just laughed at me lol

Actually, I believe you can apply up to 4 months BEFORE you turn 70 and specify that you want benefits to begin the month you turn 70. So you could apply in May 2023 and request benefits to start September 2023. This way everything is processed and ready to go when you hit 70. The official SSA website states: "You can apply up to four months before you want your retirement benefits to start." Just make sure when you apply that you clearly specify you want benefits to START in your birth month to get the full delayed retirement credits!

I want to clarify something important here: there's a difference between APPLYING for benefits and RECEIVING benefits. Yes, you need to wait until age 70 to get your maximum delayed retirement credits (DRCs). Each month you delay past your Full Retirement Age (66 years for someone born in 1953) adds 2/3 of 1% to your benefit amount, up to age 70. But as someone mentioned, you can (and should) APPLY for benefits 3-4 months before you want to receive them. This gives SSA time to process your application so payments can start promptly. For example: - You turn 70 in September 2023 - You should apply around May/June 2023 - Specify September 2023 as your benefit start date - First payment will arrive in October 2023 (for September) There is NO provision for starting benefits in January of the year you turn 70. That would mean missing out on 8 months of delayed retirement credits you've worked hard to earn!

somethng else to no is social security pays a month BEHIND so even when u turn 70 in september the first check comes in OCTOBER!! nobody told me that and i was counting on that money

Has anyone tried calling the SSA directly about this? I've been trying to get through for weeks about my own issue (different situation) and cannot get a human on the phone. Forever on hold then disconnected. So frustrating!!!!

i waited till 70 too! congrats on holding out for maximum $$$! i did the math and as long as i live past 82 i come out ahead vs taking at 62 so fingers crossed lol

One more thing to consider - if you're still working in 2023, waiting until your birthday month to claim means fewer months where your earnings might affect the earnings test. Though at 70, the earnings test no longer applies anyway, so this is more FYI for others reading who might be claiming earlier.