Can I file for retroactive Social Security benefits after turning 70 in August 2024?
Just had my 70th birthday at the end of August and still haven't filed for my Social Security! I've been working and completely lost track of time with everything going on. Now I'm wondering if I can file retroactively to get those August benefits. Also, for tax planning purposes, I'd prefer to receive any lump sum payment in 2025 rather than 2024. Is there a specific time I should file to make that happen? And one more thing - I've got my SSA account set up online but might need to gather some documents. Can I start the application now and come back to finish it later? Thanks for any advice!
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Ravi Sharma
Yes, you can request retroactive benefits when you apply for Social Security retirement. Since you're past full retirement age (and now even past 70), you can request up to 6 months of retroactive benefits. For your August 2024 birthday, this is certainly within that window. As for timing to get your payment in 2025 - Social Security payments are made the month after they're due. If you file in December, your lump sum would likely arrive in January 2025. But don't wait too long - every month you delay past 70 is a month of benefits you're permanently losing with no additional increase. And yes, you can absolutely start an application online and save it to finish later. The SSA online system will allow you to save your application for up to 6 months before completing it.
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Isabella Ferreira
•Thank you so much for the detailed information! I'm glad I can get those August benefits. I'll aim to file in December then. Good to know about the saved application feature too - that'll make things much easier.
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NebulaNomad
i did something similar last year. turned 70 in may but didnt file til october. got back pay no problem. just make sure u tell them u want it retroactive when u apply they dont always ask
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Isabella Ferreira
•Thanks for the tip! I'll definitely make sure to specifically ask for the retroactive benefits when I apply.
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Freya Thomsen
Be careful about the lump sum payment and taxes! I received a retroactive payment and it pushed me into a higher tax bracket that year. You might want to talk to a tax professional before deciding when to file. Also, have all your documents ready before starting the application - birth certificate, marriage certificate if applicable, bank account info for direct deposit.
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Isabella Ferreira
•That's a really good point about the tax implications. I hadn't considered that a large lump sum might affect my tax bracket. I'll definitely consult my accountant before making any decisions. And thanks for the document checklist!
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Omar Fawaz
Just to clarify a technical point - retroactive benefits for retirement are limited to 6 months maximum, even if you're well past your FRA or age 70. So you can get retroactive benefits back to around February/March 2024 at the earliest, not just August. As for saving an application - yes, you can save it, but I recommend completing it sooner rather than later. The online system sometimes has hiccups, and occasionally saved applications have been known to disappear if left too long. It's happened to a few clients I've worked with.
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Chloe Martin
•Actually, that's not quite right. If someone files after FRA but before 70, the 6-month limit applies. But if someone files AFTER 70 (like the OP), they can get retroactive benefits all the way back to age 70, even if that's more than 6 months. So in this case, they'd only get back to August since they just turned 70, not earlier.
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Diego Rojas
DONT WAIT!!! Every month past 70 is LOST MONEY that you can NEVER get back!!! The SSA website says very clearly once you reach 70 there is NO BENEFIT to waiting longer. File RIGHT NOW!!!
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Isabella Ferreira
•I understand the urgency! Definitely don't want to lose any more money. I just need to figure out if I should file now or in December for tax purposes, but I won't delay beyond that.
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Anastasia Sokolov
I had the absolute worst time trying to reach someone at Social Security when I turned 70 last year. Called for WEEKS and kept getting disconnected or had to wait for hours. Finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an agent in under 10 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU It was such a relief to finally talk to someone and get my retroactive benefits sorted out. Might be worth it if you're having trouble reaching SSA by phone.
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NebulaNomad
•i used that service too! worked great especially since my local office was booked 3 months out for appointments
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Chloe Martin
Something nobody has mentioned yet - when you apply, make sure to specify that you want benefits retroactive to the month you turned 70 (August 2024). It's not automatic. And if you're concerned about tax implications, remember that SS benefits are only partially taxable depending on your other income. For most people, only 50-85% of SS benefits are subject to federal tax.
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Isabella Ferreira
•Thank you for the reminder about specifically requesting the retroactive benefits. And the tax information is helpful too - I'll need to look at my overall income situation to understand how it will affect me.
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Freya Thomsen
One more thing to consider - your first regular monthly payment would come the month after you apply (assuming you want benefits to start immediately after the retroactive period). So if you file in December, your regular monthly payments would start in January, separate from any lump sum for retroactive months. Just something to factor into your financial planning.
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Isabella Ferreira
•That's very helpful to understand the timing! I think filing in December makes the most sense for me then, as both the lump sum and regular payments would start in 2025.
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Ravi Sharma
Before you file, you might want to gather these documents to make the process smoother: - Your birth certificate or passport - Your Social Security card (if available) - Your most recent W-2 or tax return - Direct deposit information (routing and account numbers) - Marriage certificate if you've been married Having these ready will help whether you complete the application in one sitting or save it to finish later.
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Isabella Ferreira
•Thank you for the checklist! I have most of these documents readily available. I'll make sure to have everything organized before I start the application process.
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KylieRose
Just wanted to add one more consideration - if you're still working and earning income, make sure to factor in the earnings test. Even though you're past 70 and the earnings test no longer applies to you going forward, it could affect your retroactive benefits if you had significant earnings in the months you're claiming retroactively (August onward). The earnings test for 2024 is $59,520 annually ($4,960 monthly) for those who reached FRA. Since you're claiming retroactive benefits for months when you were working, SSA will need to verify your earnings for those months. Just something to keep in mind when you apply!
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Landon Morgan
•That's a really important point about the earnings test that I hadn't considered! I have been working and earning a decent income, so I'll need to check if my earnings in August, September, and October exceed those monthly limits. Do you know if they prorate the annual limit ($59,520) for just the months I'm claiming retroactively, or do they look at my full year earnings? I want to make sure I understand this correctly before I apply.
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