When should we apply for Social Security retirement to get our first payment in January 2025?

You can apply up to 4 months before you want your benefits to begin. So for January 2025 payments, you should apply no earlier than September 2024, but I'd recommend doing it in early October just to be safe. The SSA specifically says on their website that you should apply for retirement benefits 3 months before you want them to start, so that gives you plenty of time to complete the process. When you apply online, you'll be able to specify January 2025 as your benefit start date. Since your situations are different (your wife taking early retirement at 62 and you at your FRA), you'll each need to complete separate applications, but you can apply at the same time. Just make sure you both clearly specify January 2025 as your benefit start date in your applications.

I went through this exact process last year with my husband. The sweet spot is definitely 3 months before. I tried to do it 4 months ahead and the online system actually wouldn't let me specify the month I wanted because it was too far out! When we finally applied (exactly 3 months before), we had our confirmation within 2 weeks, and our first payments arrived right on schedule. The online application is actually pretty straightforward - took us about 30 minutes each. One tip: if you run into any issues with the online application, don't waste time with the regular SSA phone line where you'll wait for hours. I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to a real SSA agent in under 10 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU - totally worth it when I had questions about some weird error message I was getting.

Just wanted to chime in and say congrats on your retirement! My husband and I started our benefits last year and it was such a relief when those payments started showing up.

When I applied last fall, I made a HUGE mistake that cost me 2 months of payments!!! I thought I was applying for benefits to start in November, but I didn't read the form carefully and somehow my application got submitted requesting payments to begin immediately. I could NOT get anyone on the phone to fix it!! MAKE SURE you double and triple check the start date on your application before you submit it. The SSA website is TERRIBLE and confusing. Once you submit it wrong, it's a NIGHTMARE to fix. I'm still mad about losing those 2 months because I wanted to keep working till November but once benefits started I hit the earnings limit problem!!

my sister waited too long to apply and missed getting her january payment had to wait till february so dont cut it too close

I'm actually wondering about a similar situation, but I'll be turning 70 in February 2025 and want to make sure I get the maximum delayed retirement credits. Should I also apply 3 months ahead or is my situation different since I'm at the maximum age?

dont u get paid for the month before? like january payment comes in february? thats what my neighbor told me and shes been on SS for years

Great question and perfect timing to be planning this out! I just went through this process myself earlier this year. The 3-month rule is definitely the sweet spot - so for January 2025 benefits, you'll want to apply in October 2024. One thing I learned that might help: when you're filling out the online application, pay close attention to the "Benefits Start Date" section. There's a clear dropdown where you select the month, and it will show you exactly when your first payment will arrive (remember, January benefits are paid in February). Since your wife is taking early retirement, make sure she's prepared for the earnings test if she plans to work at all in 2025. The online application will walk you through this, but it's good to know ahead of time. Also, don't stress too much about the applications being separate - you can both do them on the same day if you want, just using your individual MySocialSecurity accounts. The process is pretty straightforward once you get started. Good luck with your retirement!