Social Security retirement application timing with FRA in June 2025 - when should I contact SSA?
I'm turning my full retirement age (FRA) on June 1, 2025, which means I'll get my first Social Security retirement check in July 2025 if I understand correctly. I'm confused about the application process timing. When exactly do I need to contact Social Security to start this process? 3 months before? 6 months? And do I need to specifically tell them that I plan to continue working after my FRA? I know there's no earnings limit after FRA, but I'm not sure if they need that information upfront when I apply. I don't want to mess this up and delay my benefits!
16 comments
Join the conversation
Mary Bates
You should contact the SSA 3 months before you want your benefits to start. Since you're reaching your FRA in June 2025, you'd want to apply around April 2025. And no, you don't need to tell them you're going to continue working after reaching your FRA - there's no earnings limit at that point as you mentioned. The SSA doesn't care how much you earn after FRA. I had the WORST time trying to reach someone at Social Security when I was applying. Spent 2 hours on hold only to get disconnected THREE times! Finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an agent in under 10 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU - totally worth it given how frustrating the regular phone system is.
0 coins
Oliver Brown
•Thank you! That's a relief about not having to report work. I'll plan to contact them in April then. Did you apply online or over the phone? I've heard horror stories about the phone system...
0 coins
Clay blendedgen
Actually, while you CAN apply 3 months before your benefits start, Social Security recommends applying 4 months before you want your benefits to begin. So in your case, you should ideally apply in March 2025 for your July 2025 payment. And you're correct that there's no earnings limit after FRA, so no need to report continued work. However, your continued earnings may actually increase your benefit amount over time if they're higher than some of the earnings already used in your calculation. I recommend applying online at ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/ - it's much easier than phone or in-person. The online application takes about 15-20 minutes if you have all your information ready.
0 coins
Oliver Brown
•I appreciate the clarification on the 4-month recommendation. I'll aim for March 2025 then. I didn't realize my continued earnings could potentially increase my benefit - that's good to know! I'll definitely try the online route first.
0 coins
Ayla Kumar
my wife just did this!!!! the online application was SUPER easy took like 15 min tops. she said the questions were real straightforward. but shes only 62 so she had to deal with all that earnings test stuff since shes still working part time. you dont have that problem at FRA lucky you lol
0 coins
Oliver Brown
•Thanks for sharing your wife's experience! That's encouraging to hear the online process was straightforward. And yes, I deliberately waited until FRA specifically to avoid the earnings test hassle!
0 coins
Lorenzo McCormick
I'm sorry, but the previous responses aren't entirely accurate. While 3-4 months before is the general recommendation, you can actually apply up to FOUR months before you reach FRA. Since your FRA is June 2025, the earliest you could apply would be February 2025, not March or April. And yes, you absolutely SHOULD tell them you plan to continue working! While there's no earnings limit after FRA, the SSA still needs this information for their records and to properly calculate your FICA contributions. They'll ask about this in the application anyway. Don't listen to people who haven't gone through the exact process. I just did this last year and know exactly what you need to do.
0 coins
Carmella Popescu
•I need to correct some misinformation here. You CAN apply up to 4 months before you want benefits to BEGIN, not 4 months before FRA. Since the original poster wants benefits to begin at FRA (with first payment in July), applying in March 2025 is correct timing. Also, while the application will ask about current and future work, there is NO requirement to report continued work after FRA. The SSA receives your earnings information directly from IRS records through your tax returns. They don't need separate reporting after FRA since there's no earnings limit. Please be careful about sharing incorrect information that could confuse others.
0 coins
Kai Santiago
has anyone had their benefit amount increased because of working past FRA? i've been working 3 years past mine (still working) but haven't seen any increases beyond the regular COLA adjustments. do i need to contact SSA to request a recalculation??
0 coins
Clay blendedgen
•The SSA automatically recalculates your benefit each year if you continue working after claiming benefits. However, the earnings need to be substantial enough to replace a lower-earning year in your 35-year calculation. If you've always been a high earner, recent years may not be replacing lower years. You should receive a letter each year if there's an increase due to additional earnings (separate from COLA). If you haven't received such notices but believe your recent earnings should increase your benefit, you can contact SSA and request a benefits recalculation - but it's typically done automatically.
0 coins
Lim Wong
Everyone here is overcomplicating this!!! Just apply online exactly 3 months before. That's what SSA told me. And nobody cares if you work after FRA - that's the whole POINT of waiting till FRA!
0 coins
Ayla Kumar
•yep thats right!! the whole point of FRA is you can earn whatever you want. my buddy retired at 62 and had to watch his earnings like a hawk but then once he hit FRA he picked up consulting work and doesnt have to report anything
0 coins
Oliver Brown
Thank you everyone for the responses! I'm going to apply online in March 2025 (4 months before my July payment). I feel much better knowing I don't have to worry about the earnings limit after reaching my FRA in June. One last question - do I need my birth certificate for the online application? I have my passport but not sure where my birth certificate is right now.
0 coins
Mary Bates
•You'll need to provide proof of age, but a passport is sufficient if you don't have your birth certificate readily available. The online application will tell you what documents are acceptable. Just make sure your passport isn't expired!
0 coins
Kai Santiago
word of caution about applying online - i did that but there was a GLITCH and my application disappeared!!! had to start all over by phone. maybe things are better now but that was only last year. i'd recommend calling AND applying online to be safe
0 coins
Carmella Popescu
•While technical issues can occasionally happen, applying twice (both online and by phone) would actually cause more problems. It could create duplicate applications in the system, leading to processing delays. The online system is generally reliable, and you receive a confirmation number when your application is successfully submitted. Save that number and follow up if you don't receive an acknowledgment within a week.
0 coins