Social Security benefits after age 70 - any retroactive payments for delayed filing?

Yes! Social Security has a 6-month retroactive payment policy for people filing after FRA (Full Retirement Age). Since you're talking about filing after 70, you would be eligible for a lump sum payment covering up to 6 months of missed benefits. They won't go back all the way to your 70th birthday if you wait years though - maximum is 6 months. File ASAP after 70 to avoid permanently losing benefits!

why would anyone wait past 70?? benefits max out then! your throwing money away every month you dont file after 70!!!

I went through this exact situation with my husband last year. He didn't file until he was 70 and a half because he thought the process would be complicated. When we finally did file, Social Security gave him a lump sum payment for 6 months (the maximum they'll go back). The SSA representative told us directly that they never go back more than 6 months after age 70, so don't delay filing! The good news is the lump sum payment was nice to receive all at once.

The six-month limitation on retroactive benefits applies even after age 70. Here's the official policy: if you delay filing beyond age 70, SSA will only pay retroactive benefits for up to 6 months from the date you actually apply. This is why it's critical to file right at age 70. For example: If you turn 70 in January 2025 but don't apply until January 2026, you'll only receive retroactive benefits back to July 2025, permanently losing 6 months of benefits (January-June 2025). This is different from taking retroactive benefits when filing between your FRA and age 70, which is generally not advisable since it means forfeiting delayed retirement credits.

To add to what others have said - absolutely file no later than 6 months after turning 70! The 6-month retroactive payment is the maximum SSA will provide, and any benefits before that are permanently lost. This is one of the most costly mistakes I see people make with Social Security. The reason this happens is that Social Security benefits NEVER start automatically - you must apply for them. And unfortunately, SSA doesn't do a great job of notifying people about this important deadline. If you're already past 70, file immediately to minimize losses. You'll need your birth certificate, Social Security card, and recent tax returns when you apply.

I always recommend people apply online through the SSA website (ssa.gov) about 3 months before they want benefits to start. It's generally the fastest and most efficient method. However, if you're already past 70 or have a complex situation, getting actual help from an SSA representative might be better. UNFORTUNATELY, reaching SSA by phone can be extremely frustrating - hours of wait times, disconnected calls, etc. I recently discovered a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that gets you through to an SSA agent quickly. They have a good demo video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU Might be worth considering if you need to speak with someone at SSA about your specific situation regarding retroactive benefits. They could confirm exactly how the 6-month lookback would apply in your case.

my uncle didnt file until 72 and was SOOO mad when he found out he lost over a year of benefits!! he tried to argue with them but they wouldnt budge on the 6 month rule. dont make his mistake!!

Just wanted to add that when I finally got through to Social Security about my retroactive benefits (took 3 tries and hours on hold), the agent was actually very helpful. She explained that the 6-month limit is written into the Social Security Act itself, so there's no flexibility. She processed my backpay for the 6 months and I received it as a separate deposit about 3 weeks after my application was approved. Then my regular monthly benefits started the following month.

Regarding the tax question someone asked - yes, receiving a lump sum of 6 months of retroactive benefits can potentially push you into a higher tax bracket for that year. Up to 85% of Social Security benefits can be taxable depending on your combined income. However, the IRS does have a special calculation method (lump-sum election) that might help reduce the tax impact. You may want to consult with a tax professional in the year you receive retroactive benefits. For the original question about applying: given that you're approaching 70, I recommend setting a calendar reminder 3 months before your 70th birthday to begin the application process online. This gives SSA time to process your application so payments can begin promptly at age 70.