Can Social Security pay 6 months retroactive benefits when filing at age 70 and 6 months?

Yes, this is accurate. Social Security will pay up to 6 months of retroactive benefits - but only for months where you were already eligible. Since benefits max out at age 70, and you're now 70 and 6 months, you should be eligible for those 6 months of retroactive payments at the age 70 benefit amount. The SSA rep may have been confused because retroactive benefits work differently for people filing before Full Retirement Age. Make sure this is clearly documented in your application!

When I applied at 70 and 3 months last year, I automatically received 3 months of backpay without asking. The payment showed up about a week after my application was approved. Since you're applying at 70 and 6 months, you SHOULD get the full 6 months of retroactive benefits that SS allows. If the SSA rep seemed confused, maybe ask to speak with a different representative?

my cousin waited until he was 71 to apply and they only gave him 6 months back, not the full year he missed. so yeah theres definitely a 6 month limit, thats just how ssa works

I've been trying to reach someone at SSA for THREE WEEKS about my own retroactive payment issue (filed at exactly 70). They keep saying 2-hour wait times and then hanging up on me! Does anyone know if there's a way to actually get through to a human being without wasting your entire day??? So frustrating!!

The 6-month retroactive benefit rule is consistent across different Social Security benefit types, but it's important to understand some nuances: 1. For retirement benefits claimed AFTER Full Retirement Age (FRA), you can receive up to 6 months of retroactive benefits, but not earlier than your FRA. 2. For retirement benefits claimed AT Full Retirement Age, you can receive up to 6 months of retroactive benefits, but not before age 62. 3. For retirement benefits claimed BEFORE Full Retirement Age, there are NO retroactive benefits. Early filing is always prospective. 4. For disability benefits, you can receive up to 12 months of retroactive benefits (different rule). Since you're applying at 70½, you should automatically receive 6 months of retroactive benefits at your age 70 benefit amount (the maximum). The SSA representative should have known this, as it's standard procedure for post-70 claims.

When I filed at 70 last year the backpay came separately from my regular monthly benefits. Took almost 4 weeks after my application was approved to get the lump sum. Just wanted to give you a heads up so you don't panic if you don't see it right away!

does anyone know if they tax the backpay different? getting 6 months all at once seems like it would push me into higher bracket

Make sure when you get your award letter that it clearly shows the retroactive period! My husband's initial letter didn't mention his backpay at all and we had to call to get it corrected. Once they fixed it in their system, the payment arrived within days. Also, be prepared that the backpay comes as a separate deposit from your regular monthly benefit. And definitely check the mySSA portal online regularly - sometimes it shows updates before you get official mail.

Just wanted to add that if you're still working part-time, make sure to let SSA know about your earnings when you apply. Even though you're past 70 and there's no earnings limit, they'll need this info for tax reporting purposes. Also, since you mentioned the rep seemed confused - I'd recommend getting everything in writing or asking for a supervisor if you have any doubts. With retroactive benefits potentially worth thousands of dollars, it's worth making sure they process everything correctly the first time. Good luck with your application!

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - turning 70 next month and planning to file soon after. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful! It sounds like the 6-month retroactive benefit is definitely something you're entitled to, but the key seems to be making sure you get a knowledgeable SSA representative. One thing I'm curious about - for those of you who successfully received the retroactive payments, did you have to provide any special documentation about when you became eligible, or was it all handled automatically based on your birth date and application date? I want to make sure I have everything ready when I apply to avoid any delays or confusion. Also, it's really concerning how many people are reporting that SSA reps don't seem to know these rules. Makes me wonder if there's some kind of training issue going on. Either way, thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this thread is going to save me a lot of headaches when I apply!