Social Security retirement application filed 3 months ago - no approval yet. Normal wait time?

totally normal these days. took almost 4 months for my approval last year. they're backed up like crazy

I wouldn't worry too much yet, but it's never a bad idea to be proactive. The 30-45 day timeframe was accurate pre-pandemic, but SSA is dealing with staffing shortages and an increased workload now. A few things to check: 1. Make sure your MySocialSecurity account shows the application as "processing" and not "incomplete" 2. Verify that you received the application confirmation number when you applied 3. Check that all supporting documents were properly uploaded or received If all those look good, you're probably fine, but I'd still suggest calling around the 4-month mark if you haven't heard anything. Retirement applications are generally straightforward and less prone to long delays than disability claims.

Has anyone else noticed the SSA is getting WORSE every year?? My sister applied for her retirement 2 years ago and got approval in 3 weeks. I applied 6 months ago and waited over 3 months just to get approved! And don't even get me started on trying to actually TALK to someone there... impossible!!!

I just went through this exact situation last winter. Applied in October for January benefits and didn't hear ANYTHING until mid-December. I panicked thinking something was wrong, but everything was fine - the first payment came right on schedule in February (they pay a month behind). The frustrating part was trying to confirm everything was on track. I called for WEEKS and could never get through. Busy signals, disconnects after waiting 2+ hours, or being told to call back another day. I finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an actual SSA agent within 30 minutes. They have a demo video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU. The agent confirmed everything was processing normally and I didn't need to worry. Saved me weeks of stress! Totally worth it since I couldn't get through on my own after multiple attempts.

I work with seniors applying for benefits, and the timeline you're experiencing is completely normal for 2025. The Social Security Administration has been dealing with a perfect storm: staff shortages, outdated technology systems, post-pandemic backlog, and the surge of Baby Boomers retiring. For retirement benefits with a future start date (like yours for March 1st), your application is likely sitting in a queue and will be processed closer to your benefit start date. Here's what you should know: 1. As long as your MySocialSecurity account shows "processing" rather than "action required," you're in good shape 2. The SSA prioritizes applications by start date, so applications with imminent start dates get processed first 3. Your benefit start date is determined by when you applied, not when the application is approved 4. First payments typically arrive the month after your benefit month (so your March benefits would arrive in April) I would suggest checking your online account weekly. If you're approaching 30 days before your benefit start date with no update, then it would be appropriate to contact them. Otherwise, this timeline is unfortunately normal for non-urgent claims.

just make sure u did the application right, my cousin thought he applied but he just created the account and never finished the actual application part lol

Does your online account show the application as received? That's the important part. And have you checked if they need any additional documentation? Sometimes they need marriage certificates or birth certificates and won't tell you until you call them.

I'd call them NOW if I were you. My neighbor had a similar situation and it turned out they had his birthdate wrong and the whole application was stuck in limbo for MONTHS because no one bothered to contact him!!!

my mom just went through this! applied in july for november start and didn't get approval until late october. everything ended up fine!