How to apply for Social Security in 2024 but delay start date until January 2025?

You can absolutely apply now and specify January 2025 as your start date. During the online application process, there's a specific question where they ask when you want your benefits to begin. Just select January 2025 when that question comes up. The application date (October 2024) is just when you're submitting the paperwork, not when your benefits will start. Don't worry about the application date showing October - that's normal and doesn't affect your benefit start date. Make sure you complete the whole application and carefully review before submitting to ensure January 2025 is selected as your benefit start month.

I just went through this EXACT thing! Applied in May for benefits starting in September. The Social security ppl make it CONFUSING on purpose I swear!!! Just make sure u careful read each screen and there's definitely a part where it asks what month you want benefits to begin. DON'T RUSH through it. Take ur time. I almost clicked the wrong month but caught myself at last minute.

Just to clarify - there are actually two important date questions in the application: 1) When do you want your benefits to BEGIN? (This is where you'll select January 2025) 2) When do you want your ENTITLEMENT month to begin? (You'll likely want this to also be January 2025) The entitlement date determines which month's payment amount you receive. Since you're turning 70 in December 2024, your benefit amount will be fully maximized by January 2025. The application date (October 2024) has no impact on either of these choices. SSA allows applications up to 4 months before your intended start date, so your timing is perfect.

To respond to the question about the difference between BEGIN and ENTITLEMENT months - they are similar but have slightly different implications: - The BEGIN month is when your benefits actually start being paid - The ENTITLEMENT month establishes which month's benefit amount you receive In most cases, you want these to be the same month. For example, if you set both to January 2025, you'll receive your first payment in February 2025 (SSA pays a month behind), and that payment will be based on your January 2025 entitlement amount (which would include any delayed retirement credits you've accumulated by waiting).

my cousin tried to do this last year and SSA started her benefits the month she applied even tho she TOLD them she wanted it later!!!! they said she didn't mark it right on the form or somethin. she had to call them like 5 times to get it fixed and they made her PAY BACK the early payments. be super careful!!!!!

I successfully applied online earlier this year and delayed my start date by 3 months with no problems. Like others mentioned, there's a specific screen where you select your start date. After you submit, you'll get a confirmation number. I recommend calling SSA a week later to verify they have the correct start date in their system. That way if there are any issues, you can fix them right away.

Trying to call SSA directly is incredibly frustrating - I had the same problem when setting up my delayed benefits. After getting disconnected multiple times and waiting on hold for hours, I found a service called Claimyr that got me connected to an SSA agent in under 20 minutes. They basically call SSA for you and when they get an agent, they connect you. Saved me so much time and stress! You can see how it works at claimyr.com or check out their demo at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU. Definitely worth it to confirm they have your correct start date in their system after you apply.

just wondering why ur waiting till January? If u turn 70 in December wouldn't ur benefits be maxed out then? that's what my brother did

I just wanted to update everyone - I finally completed my application! I found the screens where you select the start date and entitlement date and set both to January 2025. The confirmation page correctly showed January 2025 as my benefit start date. I'll definitely be using that Claimyr service next week to call and verify everything is set up correctly. Thank you all for your help!

Congratulations on getting your application submitted successfully! That's such a relief when you've been worried about making a mistake. I'm going through a similar situation myself - turning 70 next year and want to make sure I maximize my benefits too. Your post and all these responses have been incredibly helpful. I didn't realize there were two separate date questions (begin vs entitlement), so I'll definitely watch for those when I apply. The tip about calling to verify afterward is smart - better safe than sorry with something this important. Thanks for sharing your experience and keeping us updated!

As someone who recently went through this process myself, I can confirm that the online application does clearly separate the application date from your chosen benefit start date. The key is to take your time on each screen and read carefully - there will be a section specifically asking "When do you want your retirement benefits to begin?" where you can select January 2025. Don't let the October application date worry you at all - that's just administrative. I'd also recommend taking screenshots of the confirmation page showing your January 2025 start date for your records. One additional tip: after you submit, you should receive an email confirmation within 24-48 hours. If you don't get that confirmation email, definitely follow up to make sure your application went through properly. The peace of mind is worth it when you're dealing with something this important!