Social Security delayed retirement credits - when to file if turning 70 in mid-July 2025?

You should apply about 3 months before you want benefits to begin. Social Security pays benefits for the prior month (so your July benefit arrives in August). Since you're turning 70 in mid-July, you'll want your benefits to start in July 2025. You've already earned all possible delayed retirement credits (DRCs) at that point, so there's no advantage to waiting until August. Social Security rules state that DRCs increase your benefit amount until you reach age 70, not until you apply. Just make sure when you file that you specify July 2025 as your benefit start month.

congrats on making it to 70! i couldnt wait that long lol. started mine at 62 cause who knows if ill even make it to 70 right? but my sister waited like you and glad she did. def apply few months ahead, SS can be super slow with paperwork!!

Make sure you specify July as your month of entitlement when you apply. The exact rule is that you receive your delayed retirement credits up to the month you reach FRA + 36 months or age 70, whichever comes first. Since you're turning 70 in July, you want July as your start month. Also, apply online if possible - it's much faster than trying to get an appointment. You can start the application up to 4 months before you want benefits to begin. I'd aim for early April 2025 to give plenty of processing time.

I just went through this exact situation last year. Turned 70 in June. ABSOLUTELY file at least 3-4 months early. I filed only 6 weeks before and it created a mess - my first payment was delayed by 2 months because they were "processing" my application. When I could finally get someone on the phone about the delay, they suggested I try Claimyr (claimyr.com) to connect with an agent faster for status updates. It actually worked - got through to a real person in about 20 minutes instead of waiting for hours or getting disconnected. They have a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU Anyway, request July as your start month. And triple-check that they have July listed on your application confirmation. The agent I spoke with said sometimes they accidentally push it to the following month if you don't specifically confirm.

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO CONFUSE US AND HOPE WE DIE BEFORE COLLECTING!!! My brother waited till 70 and then died at 73!!! Was it worth it? NO! Take it as soon as you can and ENJOY LIFE!! The break even point is in your 80s!!!!

i was so confuse about this too when i file last yr. ended up messing up and lost a month of benefits cuz i didn't know u had to say which month to start. make sure u TELL them july not just assume they know!!

One more important detail - once you're approved, set up direct deposit immediately if you haven't already. That will ensure your payments arrive as quickly as possible. Also, be aware that depending on your other income, up to 85% of your Social Security benefits may be taxable. You might want to speak with a tax professional about whether you should have federal taxes withheld from your benefit payments.

my neighbor just did this and said make sure you print or save ALL confirmation screens!! she had some weird glitch where her application disappeared for like 2 weeks from the system and the only proof she had was her saved confirmation!

One last thing that might be helpful - since your birthday is in mid-July, your benefit computation date will be July 1, 2025. Social Security doesn't prorate benefits by days within a month, so you get the full month's benefit regardless of whether your birthday is on the 1st or the 31st. Your payment for July (your first month of entitlement) will arrive in August 2025.