Can I delay my Social Security start date after applying? Just submitted application Dec 31

Yes, you absolutely can change your start date! You have several options since you haven't received any payments yet. The easiest is to call SSA and request to change your benefit start month. You can push it back as far as you want up to age 70. Since you filed for age 65, changing to 67 will increase your monthly amount by about 16% due to delayed retirement credits. Alternatively, you can formally withdraw your application (Form SSA-521) if you want to completely restart later, but simply changing the start date is easier if that's all you need.

you can change it but good luck getting thru to anybody. took me 7 calls and getting disconnected everytime. finally got someone after waiting 3 hrs on hold total. they kept saying "unexpectedly high call volume" yeah right its ALWAYS high

Glad you caught this before payments started! My brother-in-law had the same situation last year. He wanted to change his start date after applying. He tried calling for three weeks and kept getting disconnected or waiting for hours.

I DID THE EXACT SAME THING!! Applied in November, supposed to start next month, but now I want to wait. Called SSA three times and each time waited over an hour before giving up. The online account doesnt let you change the start date yourself which is SO FRUSTRATING!!!! Why make an online system if it cant do basic things????

You have until your first payment is issued to change your start date without filing a formal withdrawal. After you receive your first payment, you'd be limited to the 12-month withdrawal option (Form SSA-521) which requires repaying any benefits received. I worked as a claims specialist at SSA for 12 years, and this was a common situation. Call the national number (800-772-1213) and specifically request to change your month of entitlement (MOE) - that's the technical term they use internally. If you get a representative who seems unsure, politely ask to speak with a technical expert or claims specialist.

my cousin just went through this exact thing last month! she applied online then changed her mind. she said they told her she has until her first payment posts to make changes otherwise she'd have to do the whole withdrawal thing which sounds complicated. good luck!

Just to follow up on this - changing your start date from 65 to 67 is definitely worth the hassle. Each year you delay past your full retirement age (which is 67 for those born in 1960 or later) increases your benefit by 8%. So waiting those two years could mean roughly 16% more in monthly benefits for the rest of your life. That can add up to tens of thousands of dollars over your lifetime. Don't give up on reaching SSA to make this change!