When to apply for Social Security to get first check in January after December retirement?
I'm retiring on December 13th and want to start my Social Security benefits in January 2025. I've heard different things about when I should actually submit my application. Some people say 3 months before, others say 2 months is enough. I don't want to mess this up and have my first payment delayed! I'm turning 66 and 4 months in November, so I'll be at my full retirement age when I retire. Does anyone know the exact timeline I should follow to make sure my first SS check arrives in January? Also, can I apply online or should I make an appointment at my local office?
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McKenzie Shade
Social Security recommends applying about 3 months before you want benefits to begin. Since you want your benefits to start in January, I'd suggest applying in October. You can absolutely apply online at ssa.gov - it's much easier than going to an office. Make sure you have all your documents ready: birth certificate, W-2s or tax returns from last year, and your bank information for direct deposit. The online application takes about 30 minutes to complete.
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Caden Turner
•Thanks! I have most of those documents but I'll need to track down my birth certificate. Do you know if I'll get my first payment on the same day I would've gotten my paycheck? I'm trying to budget for January.
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Harmony Love
The day you get paid depends on your birth date. If born 1st-10th, you get paid on 2nd Wednesday. Born 11th-20th, 3rd Wednesday. Born 21st-31st, 4th Wednesday. This is for REGULAR SS retirement payments. Has nothing to do with when your paychecks came.
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Caden Turner
•Oh, I didn't realize it was based on birth date! I was born on the 18th, so I guess I'll get paid on the third Wednesday? That's good to know for my budget planning.
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Rudy Cenizo
i put in my application 4 months before i wanted payments and still had problems!!! ssa lost my paperwork TWICE and i had to resubmit everything. then they said i didnt send my birth certificate which i DID. my first payment was 3 months late because of there mistakes. dont trust the online system!!
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Natalie Khan
•This is EXACTLY why I tell everyone to apply 4-6 months early! The SSA is completely overwhelmed and understaffed. They're processing millions of boomer retirements with 1990s technology and half the staff they need. Always build in extra time for their inevitable mistakes. And ALWAYS get confirmation numbers and names of representatives you speak with.
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Daryl Bright
When I retired last year, I applied online exactly 3 months before I wanted benefits to start. The process was smooth, but I did have trouble reaching someone when I had questions. I found a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an actual SSA agent in under 5 minutes instead of waiting on hold all day. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU. Completely worth it when I needed to verify they had received all my documents. For your January payment, definitely apply in October to be safe.
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Caden Turner
•Thank you! I hadn't heard of that service before. I'll check it out if I have trouble reaching someone. And I'll aim to submit my application in mid-October.
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Sienna Gomez
one thing no one mentioned is that social security pays BEHIND not ahead. so your January payment is actually for December benefits. i got confused by this when i retired. if you stop working mid-December but want January to be your first payment, you need to specify January as your benefit start month on the application, NOT December.
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McKenzie Shade
•This is a really important point! You're absolutely right. Social Security benefits are paid in the month following the month for which they are due. So the January payment covers December benefits. When you apply, you'll need to specify January 2025 as your benefit start month.
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Kirsuktow DarkBlade
My sister just wen thru this. Make SURE you check the box for Medicare too if your eligible!! She forgot and now has to pay penalties because she missed initial enrollment period!!
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Caden Turner
•Thanks for the reminder! I already signed up for Medicare when I turned 65 last year, so I should be all set on that front.
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Daryl Bright
Since you mentioned you're reaching your FRA in November, you don't need to worry about the earnings limit for December. If you had been under FRA, the SSA would apply a monthly earnings test for the months before you reached FRA in the year you reach FRA. But since you'll be at FRA, you can earn any amount in December without affecting your benefits. Just make sure when you apply that you correctly report your expected December earnings from your job before retirement.
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Caden Turner
•That's great news about the earnings limit! I was worried about that since I'll get a final paycheck plus unused vacation time paid out in December. Sounds like that won't affect my benefits since I'll be at FRA.
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McKenzie Shade
To summarize what everyone has shared: 1. Apply in October for benefits to start in January 2. Request January as your benefit start month (which pays for December) 3. You'll receive payments on the 3rd Wednesday of each month (based on your birth date) 4. Your December earnings won't affect benefits since you'll be at FRA 5. Apply online at ssa.gov for the easiest process 6. Have your birth certificate, tax documents, and bank info ready Good luck with your retirement!
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Caden Turner
•Thank you so much for summarizing everything! I feel much more confident about the process now. I'll start gathering my documents this weekend and plan to submit my application mid-October. Really appreciate everyone's help!
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