Can't find where to request retroactive SS benefits on online application - put it in comments section?

You actually handled this correctly! The comments section at the end of the online application is precisely where you should request retroactive benefits if you're already at or past your Full Retirement Age. Since you're 70, you're definitely eligible for those retroactive months (up to 6 months max for retirement benefits). The fact that an SSA agent already reviewed your application and confirmed your comments were clear is a very good sign. In my experience, they'll process this correctly based on your comments. When they calculate your benefits, they should include October and November 2024 as you requested. I would suggest calling to check the status in about 3 weeks as you planned, rather than making a separate appointment. Just make sure when you call to specifically ask them to confirm the retroactive months were included.

I went through something similar last year. Put your mind at ease - the comments section works fine for requesting retroactive benefits. The SSA processes thousands of these requests. Since an agent already told you it looks good, you're in great shape! No need for an appointment unless they contact you first. Just follow up with a status check call in a few weeks like you planned.

i did my application online last month and also put stuff in comments. the website is NOT user friendly AT ALL!!! so frustrating trying to figure out where to put important information. i'm still waiting to hear back but at least you got confirmation yours looks good.

You're fine. The comments section is where retroactive requests go on the online app. I work with retirees and this comes up ALL THE TIME. As long as you're beyond FRA (which at 70 you definitely are), you can get up to 6 months retroactive on retirement benefits. Sounds like you did everything right. The email confirmation and agent review are good signs.

Getting through to an actual person at Social Security is a miracle these days! I've been trying to reach someone about my wife's benefits for WEEKS. Always busy signals or disconnects after waiting for hours. How did you manage to talk to an agent so quickly? About your question though - yes, comments section is fine for retroactive request. That's where I had to put mine too. Got my retroactive benefits without any issues.

To answer how I got through to someone - pure luck I think! I called first thing in the morning (right when they opened at 8am) and only had to wait about 25 minutes. But I've definitely had the busy signals and disconnects before too. It's incredibly frustrating.

Another thing worth noting - since you're 70, you've maximized your delayed retirement credits (DRCs). Setting your start date as December doesn't actually increase your benefit amount further. You could technically request retroactive benefits all the way back to April 2024 (6 months max) if you wanted to. Just something to consider when you call to check status.

does anyone know if they deposit retroactive payments separate or include it with ur first regular payment? i hear its a lump sum but not sure when they send it

Looks like you've got good advice already. One thing I'd add is to print a copy of your application confirmation and save that email saying your application was assigned. Documentation is so important with SSA! I'd still call in a few weeks as planned - if they don't mention the retroactive benefits, specifically ask if they processed the request in your comments. Better to be proactive than have to fix it later.

I'm confused about something. I thought you only get retroactive pay if you file AFTER your full retirement age? I'm 63 and planning to claim next year. Can I get retroactive payments too?

As someone who's been helping people navigate Social Security applications for years, I want to reassure you that you handled this perfectly! The comments section is absolutely the right place for retroactive benefit requests on the online application - there's no separate field or checkbox for it. The fact that you already spoke with an SSA agent who confirmed your comments were clear is excellent news. They review these requests routinely, and your situation is very straightforward since you're 70 and well past your FRA. One additional tip: when you call in 3 weeks to check status, also ask them to confirm they processed your retroactive request AND consider asking about extending it to the full 6 months allowed (back to April 2024) instead of just October-November. Since you're already at maximum benefit amount at age 70, there's no downside to claiming the full retroactive period you're entitled to. Keep that confirmation email and application number handy for your follow-up call. You're in good shape!

I'm in a very similar situation - turned 70 last month and just filed online! I also couldn't find anywhere specific to request retroactive benefits and ended up putting it in the comments section. Reading all these responses is so helpful and reassuring. It sounds like you did everything right, Drew. The fact that an SSA agent already reviewed your application and said it looked good is a great sign. I'm definitely going to follow the advice here about calling in a few weeks to specifically ask about the retroactive benefits being processed. One question for everyone - when you call to check on retroactive benefits, is there a specific department or person you should ask to speak with, or do the general customer service reps handle these requests?

This is such a common concern and you absolutely did the right thing! I went through the exact same process about 8 months ago - turned 70, applied online, and was completely baffled by the lack of a clear "retroactive benefits" section. Like you, I ended up explaining everything in the comments box. The good news is that SSA processors are very familiar with these requests in the comments section. It's actually the standard procedure for the online application. Since you already got confirmation from an agent that your comments were clear, you're in excellent shape. I'd definitely recommend calling in about 3 weeks as planned, but here's what worked for me: when I called, I specifically asked them to read back to me exactly which months were included in my benefit calculation. This gave me peace of mind that they hadn't missed anything. Also, since several people mentioned it above - definitely consider asking about the full 6-month retroactive period when you call. I initially only requested 3 months but the agent suggested I could get the full 6 months I was entitled to. It was just a simple adjustment on their end and resulted in a nice lump sum payment a few weeks later. You handled this perfectly - no need to stress!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm 69 and planning to file for Social Security in a few months when I turn 70. I had no idea that the comments section was where you request retroactive benefits on the online application - I would have been just as confused as you were, Drew. Reading everyone's experiences gives me so much more confidence about the online application process. It sounds like the key things to remember are: 1) Use the comments section for retroactive requests, 2) Keep all confirmation emails and documentation, 3) Follow up with a phone call in a few weeks to specifically confirm the retroactive months were processed, and 4) Consider requesting the full 6 months you're entitled to rather than just a few months. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this is exactly the kind of real-world advice you can't get from the SSA website itself!

I just went through this exact same process last year at age 70! Like you, I was completely confused about where to put the retroactive benefits request in the online application. The SSA website really doesn't make this clear at all. I also ended up putting my request in the comments section and was worried they'd overlook it. But it worked out perfectly - they processed my retroactive benefits without any issues. The comments section is genuinely the right place for this request, even though it feels wrong when you're doing it. Since you already got confirmation from an SSA agent that your application looks good, you're definitely on the right track. One thing I learned after the fact - you might want to ask about getting the full 6 months of retroactive benefits (back to April 2024) instead of just October and November. At 70, your benefits are already maximized, so there's no penalty for claiming the full retroactive period you're entitled to. I wish I had known this when I first applied! The retroactive payment came as a separate lump sum about 3 weeks after my regular monthly benefits started. Keep that confirmation email handy and don't hesitate to call in a few weeks to double-check everything was processed correctly. You handled this perfectly!