Social Security application stuck at 'pending' for over 30 days - need advice on next steps
I submitted my SS retirement application online exactly five weeks ago (August 29) and the status is still showing 'pending' on mySocialSecurity portal. The confirmation page said processing typically takes about 30 days, which has now passed. I'm turning 65 in November and hoped to have this settled by then. Should I be worried? Is this normal with the current backlog or should I try contacting them? I've heard horror stories about waiting on hold for hours only to get disconnected. Has anyone dealt with this recently? Did calling actually help speed things up or should I just continue waiting?
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Max Knight
Took them 45 days to process mine last spring... SSA is super backlogged right now. Just keep waiting, calling is a waste of time honestly.
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Madeline Blaze
•Thanks for sharing your experience. Frustrating but good to know I'm not alone. Did yours just suddenly change from pending or did they call/email you?
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Emma Swift
I recommend contacting them. While 30 days is an estimate and slight delays are common, it's always better to check if there might be missing information they need or if your application got flagged for review. Retirement applications should be prioritized and processed within that timeframe unless there are issues. Make sure to have your confirmation number and application date when you call.
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Madeline Blaze
•That makes sense. I'd hate to find out weeks from now that they needed some document I could have sent right away. Do you know if there's a special number for application status checks?
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Emma Swift
•You can call the main SSA number at 1-800-772-1213, but be prepared for long wait times. When prompted, say "check application status" and have your SSN and confirmation number ready. If your local office is open for in-person visits, that's sometimes faster for quick status checks.
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Isabella Tucker
My retirement application was stuck on pending for SEVEN WEEKS and I was totally stressed about it. I finally managed to get through to an actual person at SSA by using Claimyr (claimyr.com) - they got me connected to a live agent in about 10 minutes when I'd been trying for days with no luck. The SSA rep told me my application had a note requiring verification of something but no one had contacted me! Got it resolved that day. Here's a demo video of how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU
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Jayden Hill
•is this claimyr thing legit? seems sketchy to use some third party service just to talk to social security
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Isabella Tucker
•It's definitely legit. It just helps you navigate the phone tree and holds your place in line. The actual conversation is directly with SSA - Claimyr just gets you connected faster. Saved me hours of frustration.
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LordCommander
IT DEPENDS ON YOUR WORK HISTORY!!! My husband's application was processed in 2 weeks because he only worked for one employer his whole life. Mine took 56 days because I had multiple employers and some self-employment years they needed to verify. If you've had a complicated work history they take LONGER to process. Don't panic but DO call them!
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Madeline Blaze
•That's interesting about the work history affecting processing time. I did have 3 different employers and about 5 years of contractor work, so maybe that's causing the delay.
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Lucy Lam
jus wait it out man. i got my SSDI after like 60 days showing pending. they backdated everything so i didnt lose any money. system is broke but it works eventually lol
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Aidan Hudson
•SSDI and retirement benefits are completely different programs with different processing times. Retirement is usually much faster than disability claims which can take months or even years. Not really comparable situations.
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Jayden Hill
My sister had this exact problem last year. Turns out they needed verification for some random job she had in 1992! But they never actually contacted her about it. Application just sat there until she called. Definitely call them - the 30 day thing is just their way of keeping people from calling every day to check status.
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Madeline Blaze
•Thank you for sharing your sister's experience. That's exactly what I'm worried about - them needing something but never actually telling me. I'll definitely try to contact them this week.
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Aidan Hudson
I've worked as a benefits counselor for years. Here's what you need to know: SSA has internal metrics to process retirement applications within 21 days, but they're currently running behind in many regions. However, if it's been more than 30 days, it's worth calling because there's approximately a 40% chance they're waiting for additional verification. The system doesn't always generate the notification letters correctly. Call the national number early in the morning (first 30 minutes after they open) for shortest wait times. Have your confirmation number, SSN, and the exact date you applied ready before calling.
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Madeline Blaze
•Thank you for this detailed information! I'll try calling right when they open tomorrow morning with all my information ready. Really appreciate the insight from someone with your background.
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Max Knight
anyone know if you still get backpay for the weeks it was pending? like if i applied in august but it doesnt get approved till october will i still get september money?
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Aidan Hudson
•Yes, SSA will pay benefits retroactively from your entitlement date, regardless of when your application is approved. The processing delay doesn't affect your payment amount or starting date - as long as you applied before you wanted benefits to begin.
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