When to apply for Social Security with July 2025 retirement - will working through June affect my benefit?
I'm retiring next summer (June 30, 2025) and plan to work right up until then. My company pension starts July 1, and I want my Social Security retirement benefits to begin that same month. Here's what's confusing me... I've read that SSA recommends applying 3-4 months before you want benefits to start, which means I should apply around March or April 2025. But during those months, I'll still be earning my full salary (about $85,000/year). Will my current earnings somehow mess up my Social Security application or lower my benefit amount? Should I wait until after I've actually stopped working in late June to submit my application? I'm worried if I wait until July to apply, there might be a gap before my first payment. I'm turning 66 and 10 months (my FRA) in May 2025, so I won't be taking early benefits. Just trying to time everything correctly so I don't accidentally reduce my benefit amount or create payment delays. Any advice from people who've navigated this timing issue?
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Yuki Sato
You're fine applying 3-4 months before retirement. Your current earnings won't affect your benefit calculation or eligibility since you'll be at Full Retirement Age (FRA) when benefits start. The earnings test only applies to people receiving benefits before their FRA. SSA calculates your benefit based on your highest 35 years of earnings, so these final months of work might actually slightly increase your benefit amount if they're among your highest-earning years. I went through this exact scenario last year. Applied in February for June benefits, while still working full-time. Had zero issues with the application process. Your benefit amount won't be finalized until after you stop working and SSA verifies your final earnings, but that happens automatically.
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Ethan Wilson
•Thank you! That's a relief to hear. So just to confirm - I can apply in March/April while still working, and that won't cause any problems with my July benefit start? And they'll automatically adjust for my final earnings through June?
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Carmen Flores
im in almost same boat (retiring september) and my brother told me to wait until after i stop working to apply because otherwise they might mess up the calculation?? now im confused
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Yuki Sato
•Your brother is mixing up two different situations. If you're taking benefits BEFORE your Full Retirement Age, then yes, current earnings matter a lot and can reduce benefits. But if you're at FRA or older (like the original poster), current earnings don't reduce benefits at all. The SSA is perfectly capable of processing an application while you're still working if you're at FRA. They'll calculate your initial benefit based on earnings already on record, then adjust after your employer reports your final earnings.
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Andre Dubois
I just went through this exact situation last year! I applied online 3 months before retiring, and I'm so glad I did because there were several back-and-forth questions with SSA that took time to resolve. One tip - if you need to talk to someone at SSA to verify everything is on track (which I definitely recommend), use Claimyr (claimyr.com). They got me through to a real person at SSA in under 15 minutes when I was panicking about my application status. You can see how it works in their demo video: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU I would've waited on hold for HOURS otherwise. The agent confirmed everything was fine despite my continued employment and helped me make sure my Medicare enrollment was also properly synchronized.
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CyberSamurai
•Is that service legit? I tried calling SSA last week and gave up after 1.5 hours on hold.
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Andre Dubois
•Yes, totally legit. They just help you skip the phone queue. You still talk directly to actual SSA representatives. Saved me so much frustration during my retirement process.
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Zoe Alexopoulos
WAIT!!! There's something important nobody mentioned yet. If you have a PENSION that starts in July 2025, you might get hit with the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) or Government Pension Offset (GPO)!!!! These can SIGNIFICANTLY reduce your Social Security benefit if your pension comes from work where you didn't pay Social Security taxes. The SSA doesn't always catch this during the initial application and then BAM - they come back years later demanding huge repayments. Happened to my cousin. Make sure you disclose EVERYTHING about your pension during the application process!!!
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Ethan Wilson
•Oh no, I hadn't even thought about that! My pension is from a private company though (Boeing), and I've paid Social Security taxes throughout my career. Does WEP still apply to private company pensions? Now I'm worried...
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Yuki Sato
•No need to worry. WEP/GPO only applies to pensions from employers where you DIDN'T pay Social Security taxes (typically certain government jobs, some state and local positions). If you've been paying Social Security taxes throughout your Boeing career, WEP/GPO won't apply to you at all.
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Jamal Carter
my sister said to apply exactly 3 months before not earlier or they might mess it up and start your benefits at the wrong time just fyi
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Mei Liu
I'd highly recommend applying about 3 months before your intended start date, but be very explicit in your application. There's actually a specific field where you indicate the month you want benefits to begin. Make sure that's filled in correctly with "July 2025". What I did (retired last year) was apply online, then immediately called SSA to confirm they understood my intended start date. They even sent me a confirmation letter showing the correct benefit start month. Regarding your earnings: Since you'll be at FRA, your current earnings won't reduce your benefit amount at all. In fact, SSA will eventually recalculate your benefit amount to include those final months of earnings, which might increase your monthly payment slightly if 2025 is among your 35 highest earning years. If you wait until after retiring to apply, you risk having a gap in income, as initial processing can take 2-6 weeks. Much better to have everything set up in advance.
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Ethan Wilson
•Thank you for the detailed explanation! I'll definitely make sure to specify July 2025 as my benefit start month when I apply. Sounds like applying in March or April is the way to go.
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CyberSamurai
Slightly off topic but make sure you also figure out your Medicare timing! That has different enrollment periods and deadlines than regular Social Security benefits and it gets super confusing when you're retiring right around age 65-66.
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Mei Liu
•Good point about Medicare. If you're already 65+ when retiring, you get a Special Enrollment Period for Medicare that starts when your employer coverage ends. Don't miss that window or you could face penalties!
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Carmen Flores
wait does anyone know if they backpay you for the months you had to wait for processing?? i heard they do but my neighbor said they didnt get anything retroactive
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Yuki Sato
•SSA will pay benefits retroactive to your benefit start date (in this case July 2025), regardless of how long processing takes. However, if you're at FRA like the original poster, you can also request up to 6 months of retroactive benefits before your application date if desired (though this is usually not advantageous if you planned your start date strategically).
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Ethan Wilson
Thanks everyone for the helpful responses! I feel much better about the timing now. I'll plan to apply online in early April for my July start date, and I'll make sure to specify the July start date clearly on the application. Good to know my current earnings won't reduce my benefit since I'll be at FRA when benefits begin. And I'll definitely check out Claimyr if I run into any issues contacting SSA directly. The peace of mind of confirming everything is on track would be worth it. I appreciate all the advice!
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