How to change my SS retirement benefit start date after partially completing online application?
I started my Social Security retirement application online back in November but didn't finish it. Now I'm ready to complete it, but when I log in, the system shows my benefit start date as November 2024! I definitely don't want benefits backdated to November - I want them to start in June 2025. The start date field seems to be locked and automatically filled with the date I initially started the application. Has anyone dealt with this before? Do I need to abandon this application and start over? Or is there a way to notify SSA about my preferred start date? I tried calling but after 2 hours on hold, I gave up. Any advice would be really appreciated!
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Keisha Brown
just delete that application and start a new 1. thats wut i had to do when same thing happened to me last yr
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Yara Khalil
•Thanks for responding. I was hoping to avoid starting over since I already filled out so much information. There's no way to edit the start date? I spent like 2 hours inputting everything the first time.
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Paolo Esposito
You don't need to start over. When you complete the application, there's a "Remarks" section at the end where you can specify your preferred start date. Make sure to clearly state: "Please set my benefit start date to June 2025 instead of November 2024." I used to work for SSA, and this is a common issue with saved applications. The claims representative who processes your application will see your note and adjust the start date accordingly. Just be very explicit about the month you want benefits to begin.
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Yara Khalil
•Oh that's such a relief! Thank you so much for this information. I'll definitely add that note in the Remarks section. I was worried I'd have to redo everything.
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Amina Toure
•THIS IS WRONG INFORMATION!! I did exactly this and they still gave me the wrong start date and it took 5 MONTHS to fix!!! The remarks section gets ignored half the time. CALL THEM DIRECTLY!
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Oliver Weber
I had this exact problem last year when I applied for my retirement benefits! What worked for me was using Claimyr to get through to SSA quickly (https://claimyr.com). They got me connected to a real agent in about 15 minutes instead of waiting for hours. I explained the situation about wanting a different start date than what auto-filled, and the agent was able to note it in my file right then. They even sent me a confirmation email afterward. You can see how it works in their video demo: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU For something important like your benefit start date, I'd definitely recommend speaking directly with an agent rather than just hoping the remarks section gets read.
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Yara Khalil
•Thanks for the suggestion. I've never heard of this service before. Did you find it easy to use? I'm not very tech-savvy but at this point I'm desperate to get this resolved.
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Oliver Weber
•Yes, it was really simple! You just enter your phone number and they call you back when they've secured your place in line with SSA. Then you talk directly to the Social Security agent. Saved me hours of frustration and my benefit start date was processed correctly.
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FireflyDreams
Something important to consider: changing your start date could affect your benefit amount. If you were born in 1957-1960, your Full Retirement Age (FRA) is between 66 and 67. Starting benefits before your FRA reduces your monthly amount permanently (approximately 0.5% per month). If November 2024 is closer to your FRA than June 2025, you might actually get a higher benefit with the earlier date. Or if both dates are after your FRA, the June 2025 date would give you more delayed retirement credits. Might be worth calculating both scenarios before you decide. The SSA calculators on their website can help with this.
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Natasha Kuznetsova
•This is such a good point! My husband didn't realize this when he applied and started his benefits 8 months early. Now he's permanently getting about $260 less per month than if he'd waited until his FRA. Make sure you understand the impact of your start date!
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Javier Morales
my sister had this problem and she had to physically go to the SSA office to get it fixed. the online stuff is always glitchy especially for us seniors!! make an appointment though becuz otherwise you'll wait all day.
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Oliver Weber
•That's another option, but appointments at local offices can be backed up for weeks or even months in some areas. That's why calling is usually faster - especially if you use a service to avoid the hold times.
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Amina Toure
Why does ANYONE want to delay benefits??? I started mine the MINUTE I was eligible at 62. That's FIVE YEARS of checks you're missing out on! My neighbor waited until 70 and then DIED at 72!! All that money left on the table. Take it when you can get it people!!!
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Paolo Esposito
•While that works for some people, delaying benefits increases your monthly amount by approximately 8% per year from FRA until age 70. This can be beneficial for those with longer life expectancies or who are still working. Everyone's situation is different, and there's no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to when to start Social Security benefits.
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Yara Khalil
•I appreciate your perspective, but I'm still working full-time and would face the earnings test if I claimed before my FRA. Since I'll be at FRA in May 2025, waiting until June makes the most financial sense for my situation. But I definitely understand wanting to get benefits sooner!
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Keisha Brown
i had the same issue but mine was stuck with a date from 2 years ago lol. ended up having to call and the lady fixed it for me after i waited forever. good luck
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Yara Khalil
•Thanks for sharing your experience. It sounds like one way or another I'll need to connect with a real person at SSA to get this resolved properly.
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