Social Security retirement benefits - when to start after reaching FRA?

Social Security typically pays benefits for the month before they're due. So if you apply this month, the earliest you can get your first payment would be next month, but it would be for this month's benefits. Since you're already at FRA, you can request retroactive benefits for up to 6 months (as long as those months are after your FRA date), which is something to consider if you've been at FRA for a while.

Put the current month! I did my application back in may and put current month and got my first deposit on the the third wednesday of the following month. good luck!

When I applied last year I selected my FRA month but the SSA rep told me later I could have gone back 6 months if I wanted to. Something to think about if you've already been at FRA for some time. They pay one month behind schedule so expect your first payment for the current month to arrive next month. I panicked at first when I didn't see a payment right away!

One important thing to remember is that Social Security benefits are paid in the month following the month for which they are due. For example, your July benefit is paid in August. If you want benefits to start as soon as possible and you're already at FRA, select the current month. The payment schedule will be determined by your birth date: - If born on the 1st-10th: Second Wednesday - If born on the 11th-20th: Third Wednesday - If born on the 21st-31st: Fourth Wednesday Also, keep in mind that it can take 2-3 months for your application to be processed and your payments to begin. When they do start, you'll receive any back payments you're owed.

I tried calling SSA directly about this exact question last month and spent THREE DAYS trying to get through on their 800 number!!! Every time I called, the wait was over 2 hours and twice I got disconnected after waiting. Finally I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an agent in about 15 minutes. The agent confirmed I should put the current month if I wanted benefits ASAP. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU - saved me so much frustration!

There's one more thing to consider that hasn't been mentioned yet. If you're still working while collecting Social Security, and you've just reached your Full Retirement Age, then the earnings test no longer applies to you. This means you can earn any amount without it affecting your benefits. So selecting the current month makes perfect sense in your situation.

i put current month on mine and they started them right away. but then my neighbor said i shouldve asked for retroactive and now im all confused if i messed up????

JUST BE CAREFUL! Social Security is NOT always straightforward about this! They told me benefits would start immediately when I applied and then I had to wait almost THREE MONTHS before my first payment showed up! And when I called to ask where my money was, they acted like this was completely normal and I should have expected it. Their systems are from the STONE AGE!!!

To summarize for the original poster: Since you just reached FRA last month and want benefits ASAP, select the current month as your benefit start date. Just be prepared that it might take 2-3 months for your application to be processed and payments to begin. Once they do start, you'll receive any back payments owed to you. And since you're already at FRA, there are no penalties or reductions regardless of when you start.