How long to receive confirmation after Form SSA-521 to stop Social Security benefits?

I submitted a Form 521 last year to withdraw my retirement application. It took about 5-6 weeks to get the official confirmation letter, but they did stop my payments right away. You should call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 to confirm they received your form and are processing it. Ask them to make a note in your file about your withdrawal request in case another payment goes through. You'll eventually need to repay all benefits you've received so far, so keep that in mind with your financial planning.

they might still send you next payment while processing form, happened to my uncle. dont spend it cuz youll have to give ALL money back that you got!!

This is a common issue with Form SSA-521 requests. The processing time varies significantly by field office, but typically takes 4-6 weeks for full processing. However, the payment stoppage should happen within 2-3 weeks of receipt. A few important points: 1. The 12-month window for withdrawal is strict - it sounds like you're within this timeframe 2. You must repay ALL benefits received to date (including any benefits paid to dependents on your record) 3. You should request a receipt confirmation from SSA immediately The withdrawal process requires manual review and approval, which explains the delay. Your local field office must review your request, calculate repayment amounts, and submit it for processing.

I tried calling SSA for WEEKS about my disability application and could never get through. The wait times are insane right now! I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got connected to an SSA agent in about 15 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU Worth it to get confirmation they received your form before another payment goes through. They can also tell you exactly what stage of processing it's in right now.

@profile8 Yes, it definitely works! I was skeptical too but after waiting on hold for 3+ hours multiple days in a row, I was desperate. Got connected to a real SSA agent quickly and they resolved my issue in one call.

MAKE SURE YOU GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING!!! The SSA lost my paperwork TWICE when I tried to withdraw my application last year. They kept saying they were "processing" it but then claimed they never received it. I had to resubmit and it delayed everything by 3 months. I ended up getting an extra payment I had to pay back with interest!! The system is completely broken right now with staffing shortages.

When I submitted my Form 521 withdrawal, I was told it would take 30-45 days for complete processing. However, they did manage to stop my direct deposit before the next payment cycle. You might want to check your MySocialSecurity account online - sometimes the status updates there before you receive the official letter. Also, be prepared for the repayment process - they'll send you a letter with the exact amount you need to repay and instructions for making the payment. Make sure you follow those instructions exactly to avoid any issues with your future benefits when you eventually reapply at your FRA.

my brother inlaw had to wait like 2 months for them to even respond. the SSA is super slow with everything.

I just checked my records - my timeline was: - Submitted Form 521 on May 2 - Called to confirm receipt on May 16 (they had it in the system) - Payment scheduled for June 3 was stopped - Received official letter on June 28 - Repayment letter arrived July 5 - Made full repayment by July 20 - Confirmation of completed withdrawal August 2 So while the full process took about 3 months, the payment stoppage happened within about 2 weeks of their receipt confirmation. I'd definitely follow up by phone using the Claimyr service someone mentioned above since you're getting close to your next payment date.

Just to clarify an important point: if you're within your first 12 months of receiving benefits, you can withdraw your application using Form SSA-521. However, if you're beyond 12 months, you cannot withdraw but can suspend benefits if you're under FRA. The process and repayment requirements are different for suspension vs. withdrawal. Based on your situation (returning to work and wanting to maximize future benefits), withdrawal is the right choice as it allows you to reapply later as if you never filed early. Good luck with the process!

UPDATE: I used the Claimyr service mentioned above and actually got through to an SSA representative! They confirmed they received my form and it's in processing. They said they've already flagged my account to stop the next payment, so I shouldn't receive anything on the 3rd. Now I just need to wait for the official letters about repayment. Such a relief! Thanks everyone for your help.

That's fantastic news about getting through to SSA and confirming they'll stop your next payment! Just wanted to add one more tip from my experience - when you receive the repayment letter, make sure to pay using the exact method they specify (usually a specific address for checks or online portal). I made the mistake of sending my repayment check to the wrong SSA office initially and it delayed my withdrawal completion by another month. Also, keep copies of everything - the cancelled check, money order receipt, or online payment confirmation. The whole process can feel overwhelming but you're handling it exactly right by staying on top of it!

This is such a helpful thread! I'm in a similar situation - took early retirement at 62 last year but now considering going back to work. I had no idea about the 12-month withdrawal option with Form SSA-521. For those who've been through this process, do you know if there are any negative consequences to withdrawing and then reapplying later at FRA? Like does it affect your earnings record or future benefit calculations in any way? Also, when you reapply later, is it treated as a completely new application or do they reference your previous withdrawal?

@Arjun Kurti Sofia covered the main points perfectly! I went through this exact process and can confirm - the withdrawal truly resets everything as if you never filed. One additional thing to consider: if you're planning to return to work, make sure your new earnings won't trigger the earnings test issues that might have affected your benefits anyway. Since you're withdrawing, this becomes a non-issue, but it's worth calculating whether the withdrawal strategy makes sense vs. just suspending benefits (if you were past the 12-month window). The withdrawal route you're considering is definitely the better choice for maximizing future benefits, especially if you can continue working and potentially increase your highest 35 years of earnings. Just remember you'll need to repay everything (including any spouse or dependent benefits if applicable) before the withdrawal is considered complete.