Confused about tax withholding on SS retirement benefits - when to submit W-4V with pending application?

You can actually submit the W-4V form anytime, even now before your benefits formally begin. The form will be processed and applied to your benefits once they start paying out in May. I did this last year - submitted my W-4V about 6 weeks before my first payment and everything was set up correctly from my very first deposit. Just make sure you fill out the form completely and select the right withholding percentage (7%, 10%, 12%, or 22%).

i waited til i got my first check and then did the w4v thing. big mistake!! they didnt take out taxes for like 3 months and i had to put extra aside myself. do it NOW so its in there system before you get paid

The W-4V situation is a bit complicated with Social Security. While you can submit it at any time, I've found that submitting it after your application fully processes but before payments begin is the sweet spot. In your case, I'd wait until early-to-mid April when your application status changes from 'pending' to 'approved' on the mySocialSecurity portal, then immediately submit the W-4V. This timing ensures the withholding request is properly linked to your active benefit record without getting lost in the system during the application processing phase. When you do submit it, you can either mail it to your local office or submit it in person (call ahead for an appointment). I'd recommend calling your local office first to confirm their preferred method for W-4V submission as practices can vary slightly between offices.

I tried to submit my W-4V before my benefits started last year and the SSA LOST IT!!! Had to resubmit TWICE and ended up with NO withholding for FIVE MONTHS. Their systems are TERRIBLE. Definitely wait until your account shows as approved, then take the form IN PERSON to your local office and get a receipt!!! Don't trust the mail with this! I ended up owing way more than expected at tax time and it was a NIGHTMARE dealing with them to fix it!!!

Hey there! I went through this exact situation last October. My application was approved but still showing pending online. I submitted my W-4V right away by taking it to my local office in person. The nice lady there told me they'd attach it to my file so it would be processed as soon as my benefits were activated. Everything worked perfectly - my very first payment in November had the correct tax withholding! So from my experience, you don't need to wait.

Trying to call SSA to ask them directly about this W-4V situation is a nightmare - I was on hold for over 2 hours last month just asking about tax withholding timing! I finally discovered Claimyr (claimyr.com) and they got me connected to an actual SSA agent in about 20 minutes. The agent confirmed I could submit my W-4V anytime, but recommended doing it after the final approval but before payments start for best results. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU - totally worth it instead of wasting hours on hold.

my neighbor said you gotta wait til after the first payment to do the tax form but i think thats wrong based on what im reading here. also make sure you know what percent you want. i did 10% but wish i did 12% because im still owing a bit each year

Just to follow up on my earlier comment - make sure you keep a photocopy of your completed W-4V form regardless of when you submit it. If you mail it, send it certified mail with return receipt so you can prove when you sent it. The SSA is processing a lot of requests and things occasionally get misplaced. If you have documentation, it's much easier to resolve any issues that might come up with your tax withholding.

Thank you all so much for the helpful advice! Based on everything shared, I think I'll wait until early April when my status changes from pending to approved, then immediately take my W-4V form to the local office in person. I'll definitely make copies and ask for some kind of receipt. I'm thinking of going with 12% withholding since I have some other income. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences!

Just wanted to add my experience as someone who recently went through this process. I submitted my W-4V form about 3 weeks before my first payment was scheduled, and it worked perfectly. The key thing I learned is that you want your form to be in their system and processed BEFORE your first payment hits, but you don't necessarily need to wait until your status changes from "pending." I'd recommend calling your local SSA office first to ask about their current processing times for W-4V forms. Some offices are faster than others, and this will help you time it right. In my case, they told me it takes about 2-3 weeks to process, so I submitted mine accordingly. Also, definitely go in person if possible - I've heard too many stories about mailed forms getting lost. Good luck with your retirement benefits!