Can I request November start date for Social Security if not at FRA and still get paid in December?

Yes, you can request a November start date when applying in October, and you would receive your first payment in December. Social Security benefits are paid the month after they're due. The processing time should be fine if you apply online - typically takes 2-4 weeks for straightforward retirement claims. Just make sure you have all your documentation ready when you apply!

I just went through this last month! applied online and the whole process took about 3 weeks. just remember social security always pays a month behind, so november benefits come in december. make sure u check the right box for when u want benefits to start

When you apply for Social Security retirement benefits, there's a specific section where you select your benefit start month. You can choose any month from the current month back to 6 months prior (retroactive benefits), though taking retroactive benefits when filing early will permanently reduce your monthly amount more. Since you're applying in October and requesting November, you'll have no issues with processing time. The standard payment cycle means you'll receive November benefits in December. Processing typically takes 2-3 weeks for straightforward claims.

One thing to consider - if you're still working, make sure you're aware of the earnings limit for taking SS before FRA. In 2025 you can only earn $22,750 without having benefits reduced. For every $2 you earn above that, they take back $1 in benefits. Caught me by surprise when I filed early!

I had the WORST time trying to get through to someone at Social Security when I was applying last year. Spent hours on hold only to get disconnected. I finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an actual SSA agent in under 10 minutes. Saved me so much frustration! They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU. I definitely recommend it if you need to talk to someone about your application status or have questions about your start date that the online system doesn't answer clearly.

i applied for benefits last winter and it was SO CONFUSING!!! the website kept timing out and then when i finally submitted i wasnt even sure if it went through!!! took almost 2 months to get my first check and no one could tell me what was happening. good luck!!!

I'd recommend applying online as soon as possible, even if it's just a few days earlier than planned. The SSA's processing times can vary significantly depending on their current workload. Also, make sure all your documents are ready - birth certificate, any name change documents if applicable, and your direct deposit information. Double-check everything before submitting to avoid delays.

I'm in the EXACT same boat! Turning 63 next month and trying to figure out this whole mess. The SSA website says benefits are paid in the month FOLLOWING the month for which they are due. So November benefits come in December. But my question is - does starting benefits in November mean I'm asking for reduced benefits based on my age in November? Or my age in December when I get paid? This is so confusing!

Thanks everyone for the helpful advice! I'm going to apply online first thing tomorrow morning and specifically request the November start date. I'll make sure all my documents are ready and double-check the earnings limit since I might do some part-time work. I feel a lot better knowing that the timeline should work for getting my first payment in December. I'll update here if I run into any issues with the application!

Good luck with your application tomorrow! Just a heads up - when you're filling out the online application, there's a section called "When do you want your benefits to start?" and you can select November from the dropdown menu. Also, if you haven't already, create your my Social Security account at ssa.gov beforehand so you can check your earnings record like Miguel mentioned. It'll save you time during the application process. Keep us posted on how it goes!

I applied for early retirement benefits at 62 last year and can confirm the process was pretty smooth! The key is making sure you understand exactly what you're requesting. When you select November as your start month, that's when your benefit period begins, and yes, you'll get paid in December (SS always pays the month after). The online application clearly asks "What month do you want your retirement benefits to start?" and you just pick from the dropdown. One thing I wish I'd known - double check that your estimated benefit amount shown during the application matches what you expected from your yearly statements. Mine was slightly off due to a small error in my earnings record that I caught just in time. The whole process from submission to first payment was about 3 weeks for me. Don't stress too much about the timing - applying in late October for November start is totally doable!

One more thing to keep in mind - if you're applying online, make sure you have a stable internet connection and set aside enough time to complete the application in one sitting. The system can time out if you leave it idle too long, and while it should save your progress, it's better to be safe. Also, after you submit, you'll get a confirmation number - definitely save that! You can use it to check your application status if needed. The SSA will also send you a letter confirming receipt of your application within a few days. Since you're cutting it close with the October deadline for November benefits, I'd recommend applying as early in the day as possible when the servers are typically less busy. Best of luck with your retirement!