Social Security application confusion - do I really need to bring in W-2 if already working at FRA?

They asked me for the same thing! I think it's because they need your most recent earnings that might not be in their system yet. I ended up just dropping off my latest pay stubs at the local office - didn't even need an appointment for that, just used their dropbox. Save yourself the headache of calling!

if ur still working at FRA u might have checked something wrong on the application. i didnt have to bring anything in when i filed. maybe go back and look at your mysocialsecurity account and see if theres a message or smthing? or maybe they just want proof of your current salary for the earnings test but wait ur at FRA so that doesnt make sense either lol

The request for W-2s or paystubs typically happens when there's a discrepancy they need to resolve or when your most recent earnings aren't yet in their system. Since you're already at Full Retirement Age (FRA), the earnings test doesn't apply to you, so they're not checking for that. What likely happened is either: 1. Your 2024 earnings aren't in their system yet (very common) 2. You may have answered a question about recent work changes that flagged their system 3. Sometimes this is a standard request that doesn't actually get enforced I'd recommend checking your MySocialSecurity account online to see if there's a specific message about what they need. You could also try calling right when they open in the morning - wait times are usually much shorter then.

I had THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM last year!!! Spent HOURS trying to get through to someone on the phone with no luck. This system is BROKEN! Why do they need documents they already have?? I finally had to take a half day off work to go to the office in person (which defeats the whole point of online applications!) and when I got there, the person said I actually didn't need to bring anything in at all! It was just some automated message that gets sent out. COMPLETE WASTE OF TIME!!!!

When I needed to get through to Social Security about my retirement application issue, I was facing the same ridiculous wait times. I discovered this service called Claimyr that got me connected to an agent in under 20 minutes instead of the 2+ hours I was quoted. They have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU. Basically saved me from having to physically go to the office and wait in those long lines. Might be worth checking out if you need to get this sorted quickly.

This is a common misconception about Social Security applications at Full Retirement Age. The system is requesting your recent earnings information because: 1. SSA doesn't have real-time access to your 2024 earnings yet 2. Even though the earnings test doesn't apply at FRA, they still need to establish your correct benefit amount 3. The application system is designed to handle all situations, so some prompts may not be relevant to you You have three options: - Mail or drop off your paystubs to your local office (include your SS number) - Schedule an in-person appointment and bring documentation - Call during off-peak hours (Wednesday-Friday afternoons often have shorter wait times) Your benefits won't be delayed if you're already at FRA, but providing current earnings information helps ensure your initial payment amount is correct. If you don't provide it, they'll eventually process using the most recent data they have, which might require adjustments later.

My sister went through this last year. Turned out to be nothing! She never brought in her paystubs and still got her first payment right on time. The SSA systems send out automated notices that don't always apply to everyone. Since you're at FRA the earnings test doesn't apply anyway so I wouldn't stress about it too much.

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Just turned 67 last week and applied online, and got the same confusing message about bringing in my W-2. Like you, I'm still working full-time and was totally caught off guard by all the employment questions during the application process. Reading through these comments has been really helpful - sounds like it's pretty normal and might just be because they don't have our most recent earnings data yet. I'm planning to try the dropbox option someone mentioned since I really can't afford to take time off work for an appointment. Did your confirmation email give you a specific deadline for when you need to provide the documents? Mine said "within 30 days" but didn't specify if benefits would be delayed if I don't make it in time.

I'm actually dealing with this right now too! Just applied last month at 66 and got the same W-2 request. After reading everyone's experiences here, I decided to call early morning (around 8:15 AM) and only waited about 25 minutes - way better than those crazy afternoon wait times! The representative confirmed that since I'm at FRA, it's really just to make sure they have my current earnings for benefit calculation, not for any earnings test. She said I could either bring/mail the documents or they'd eventually process with what they have, but having current info just ensures accuracy from the start. The dropbox option sounds great though - wish I'd known about that before I spent my morning on hold!

I'm in a similar situation - just hit FRA last month and still working full-time. Applied online and got the same W-2 request that left me scratching my head! After reading all these responses, I feel much better about the whole thing. It sounds like this is just standard procedure when they don't have our most recent earnings data yet, not some red flag that we messed up the application. I'm planning to try calling early morning like Andre suggested since 25 minutes sounds way more manageable than 2+ hours. If that doesn't work out, the dropbox option Kingston mentioned sounds perfect for those of us who can't easily take time off work. It's frustrating that the online system doesn't make this clearer upfront, but at least we're all in good company dealing with the same confusion!

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Just reached FRA two months ago and applied online while still working. Got the same confusing W-2 request and was convinced I'd messed something up during the application process. Reading all these responses has been incredibly helpful - it's clear this is just their standard procedure when they need current earnings data that isn't in their system yet. I love that there's a dropbox option at local offices! That would save me from having to schedule time off work or sit on hold for hours. Planning to stop by my local SSA office this week to drop off my recent paystubs. It's frustrating that the online application doesn't explain this better upfront, but at least now I know it's not going to delay my benefits since we're already at FRA. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!