When can I apply for Social Security at 62? Exact timing question for June 2025 birthday

You can apply up to 4 months before you want your benefits to begin. Since you turn 62 in June 2025, you could apply as early as February 2025 if you want benefits to start the month you turn 62. Just remember that filing at 62 means a permanent reduction in your monthly benefit - approximately 30% less than waiting until your Full Retirement Age. Also, if you apply in February for June benefits, your first payment would arrive in July (Social Security is paid the month after it's due).

I just went through this last year. You can apply 4 months before you want benefits to start. The online application is pretty straightforward, but make sure you have all your documents ready - birth certificate, tax returns, marriage/divorce papers if applicable. One thing to watch out for - if you're still working when you turn 62, be careful about the earnings limit ($24,800 in 2025 I think). If you earn over that, they'll reduce your benefits by $1 for every $2 you earn above the limit.

I applied 2 months b4 turning 62 and it was a NIGHTMARE!!! They kept losing my paperwork and I had to call like 20 times!!! NOBODY could ever tell me the same thing twice about when my benefits would start. Some ppl said I'd get partial payment for my birthday month, others said payment starts the next month. When I finally got my first payment it was WRONG and took 3 more months to fix!!!! I would apply the FULL 4 months early if I were you!!!!!

My husband just went through this. Turned 62 in January. Applied in October last year. Got everything processed correctly and his first payment showed up in February right on schedule. They were very efficient for us.

I tried calling SSA to ask a similar question about my application timing and was on hold for almost 2 hours before getting disconnected. Tried again the next day - same thing. I ended up using a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an agent in about 15 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU. Totally worth it to get accurate information directly from SSA about when to apply. The agent confirmed the 4-month rule and answered all my other questions too.

i heard they changed the rules recently so now u can only apply 3 months early not 4... my cousin's neighbor works for ssa and told him this last week

I just went through this exact situation last year! My birthday is in May, and I applied in January (so 4 months before). Everything went smoothly. One thing - make sure you print or save all confirmation screens. I had an issue where the SSA claimed they never received my application, but I had the confirmation number and could prove I submitted it. Just document everything!

Since you'll be 62 in June 2025, you become eligible for benefits in June. However, there's one important detail: if your birthday is other than the 1st of the month, you don't technically reach age 62 for Social Security purposes until the following month. But since you stated your birthday is June 4th, you would become eligible for June 2025. Thus, you can apply as early as February 2025 (4 months before). The first payment would arrive in July 2025 as Social Security is paid the month after it's due.

Thanks everyone for all the great information! Based on everyone's advice, I'll plan to apply in February 2025 (4 months before my birthday) and specify June 2025 as my benefit start month. I'll make sure to have all my documents ready and save all confirmation screens. I'll try the online application first, but if I have trouble getting through on the phone for questions, I'll check out that Claimyr service. Really appreciate all the help!

You've got a solid plan there, Katherine! Just one additional tip - when you apply online in February, you might want to create your my Social Security account ahead of time if you don't already have one. It makes the application process smoother and you can check the status of your application online afterwards. Also, if you run into any issues during the online application, don't abandon it completely - you can save your progress and come back to it later. The system will hold your partially completed application for 30 days. Good luck with everything!