Social Security benefits timing question: Apply first of month or exact FRA date in middle of month?
I'm getting confused about when exactly I should start my Social Security retirement benefits. I'm turning my Full Retirement Age (67) on August 14th, 2025. Do I apply to start collecting on August 1st, or should I wait until my actual birthday on the 14th? The SSA website mentions something about benefit months starting on the first day, but I'm not sure if that means I need to wait until September 1st to get my first full unreduced payment. Anyone know the correct timing for this? I don't want to accidentally file early and get a permanent reduction.
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Ava Garcia
You're confusing two different concepts here. When you turn Full Retirement Age (FRA), you can earn as much as you want without any benefit reduction starting in that exact month, not the following month. However, Social Security benefits are always paid in the month following the month for which they are due. Your first payment would be for the month of August, but you'd receive it in September. As for when to apply, Social Security recommends applying 3-4 months before you want benefits to begin. Your application would be for August 2025 benefits, which would be paid in September 2025.
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Dmitry Popov
•Thanks! So even though I turn FRA mid-month (August 14th), I'd still get the full August payment? I was worried they'd prorate it or something.
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StarSailor}
When I hit my FRA last year they started the full payment on the first of the SAME month I turned my age. No prorating. SS doesn't do partial months from what I know.
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Miguel Silva
•thats right! my uncle got his first check and it was for the whole month even tho his bday was like the 23rd or something
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Zainab Ismail
The important thing to understand is that Social Security pays benefits for a month, not parts of months. If you reach FRA in the middle of August, then August is the first month you're eligible for unreduced benefits. You'll get a full month's benefit for August (paid in September). Worth noting: The earnings test also changes in the month you reach FRA. If you're still working, in the months before FRA in 2025, you'd be subject to the annual limit ($22,320 in 2024, will be higher in 2025). But starting in the month you reach FRA, the earnings test no longer applies to you AT ALL - even if you make a million dollars that month!
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Dmitry Popov
•That's a big relief about the earnings test! I'm still working part-time and was worried about having to track exactly how much I earn before and after my birthday that month.
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Connor O'Neill
SAVE YOURSELF A HEADACHE and apply online!!! I tried calling SSA for THREE WEEKS straight when I was turning FRA and never got through. Busy signals, disconnects, and one time I waited on hold for 2 hours before getting cut off. The online application took me 15 minutes.
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Yara Nassar
•If you need to speak with them directly, I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to SSA when I was applying. They hold your place in line and call you back when an agent is available. Saved me hours of frustration! They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU For the original question, as others said, benefits are paid for full months. When you reach FRA in the middle of a month, that entire month counts as being at FRA for benefit purposes.
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Keisha Robinson
When I retired in 2023, I got confused by this too. Here's the important thing to remember: there's a difference between your ENTITLEMENT month (when you qualify for benefits) and your PAYMENT month (when you actually get the money). You become entitled to full benefits in the month you reach FRA, regardless of what day of the month that is. But payments are always made the following month. Also, Social Security pays benefits based on your birth date: - 1st-10th of month: payment on 2nd Wednesday - 11th-20th: payment on 3rd Wednesday - 21st-31st: payment on 4th Wednesday Since your birthday is the 14th, you'll get paid on the 3rd Wednesday of each month starting with September 2025.
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Dmitry Popov
•This makes so much sense now! So I apply 3-4 months before August, I get my first payment in September, and it'll come on the 3rd Wednesday because my birthday is on the 14th. Thank you!
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Miguel Silva
My mom just went thru this last month! She applied online and everything worked fine... they even backpaid her for the month she turned FRA even tho she applied a little late.
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StarSailor}
•They can backpay up to 6 months from when you apply, but ONLY if those months are after your FRA. If you apply late but still within that window you don't lose anything.
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Dmitry Popov
Thanks everyone for the helpful information! Just to make sure I've got this straight: 1. Apply 3-4 months before August 2025 2. I'll be eligible for full benefits for the entire month of August even though I turn FRA on the 14th 3. My first payment will arrive in September (3rd Wednesday) 4. The earnings test won't apply to me at all once I reach FRA in August This is all much clearer now. The SSA website is so confusing with all the different rules!
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Ava Garcia
•You've got it exactly right! And don't worry about the confusion - the Social Security rules are complicated even for people who work with them regularly. Good luck with your retirement!
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