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.

I'm glad to see so many helpful responses here! As someone who works with Social Security applications regularly, I'd like to emphasize a few key points that came up in this thread: 1. **Apply 3-4 months early** - This can't be overstated. Processing delays are real and you don't want to miss your intended start date. 2. **Be crystal clear about your start month** - When you apply, explicitly state "July 2025" as your month of entitlement. Don't assume they'll figure it out. 3. **Save everything** - Screenshot/print your application confirmation and any correspondence. System glitches do happen. 4. **Consider using the online application** but be prepared to follow up by phone if needed. The online system is generally faster, but don't hesitate to call if you have questions or concerns about processing. One additional tip: If you have a my Social Security account online, you can check your application status there rather than having to call every time. Good luck with your application, and congratulations on reaching this milestone!

I went through this exact same process two years ago when I turned 70 in August. Here's what I learned from my experience: **Timeline is crucial** - I submitted my application in early May (3 months ahead) and it was processed just in time. Any later and I would have been stressed about delays. **Double-check your birth certificate** - Make sure SSA has your correct birth date on file. I discovered a discrepancy in their records that took an extra few weeks to resolve, which could have delayed everything. **Medicare coordination** - Since you're already 70, make sure your Medicare Part B enrollment is coordinated with your Social Security start date. There can be some timing issues if these aren't aligned properly. **Payment schedule reminder** - Your July benefit will arrive in August, but it will be deposited on your designated payment day (typically the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th Wednesday of the month based on your birth date). The waiting was definitely worth it - those delayed retirement credits add up to a significant monthly increase. You've done the hard part by waiting this long, so don't let processing delays mess up your careful planning. Start that application in April and you should be all set!

As someone who recently navigated this process, I want to echo what others have said about applying early and being specific about your start date. One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned yet - consider calling SSA's main number (1-800-772-1213) about a week after you submit your online application to confirm they received it and that July 2025 is correctly listed as your month of entitlement. I also recommend keeping a simple log of all your interactions - date, time, who you spoke with, confirmation numbers, etc. It sounds excessive, but it really helped when I had to follow up on my application status. The representatives were much more helpful when I could reference specific previous conversations. One more tip: if you're married, make sure to discuss spousal benefit strategies with SSA when you apply. Even though you're maximizing your own benefit by waiting until 70, there might be timing considerations for spousal benefits that could affect your overall household Social Security income. Good luck with your application - you're so close to reaping the rewards of your patience in waiting for those maximum delayed retirement credits!