When to apply for Social Security with July birthday and FRA of 66 and 8 months?

For someone born in July 1958 with an FRA of 66 and 8 months, your FRA would actually be in March 2025. So if you want benefits to begin at your exact FRA, you should apply about 3 months before March, which would be December 2024. The SSA recommends applying 3-4 months before you want your benefits to begin. This gives them time to process your application without causing delays in your payments. If you apply in November, that's fine too - 4 months ahead is perfectly reasonable.

i applied 2 months b4 my bday and got my 1st check the month after no problem. they ask u when u want benefits 2 start so dont worry about getting reduced benefits if u dont want them

Just to expand on what others have said, when you complete your application online or with an agent, you'll be specifically asked when you want your benefits to begin. You can apply up to 4 months before your FRA and clearly indicate you want benefits to start at your FRA, not earlier. Something important to understand: If you were born on the 1st-10th of July, you'd receive your first payment in April 2025. If born on the 11th-20th, you'd receive it in May 2025. If born on the 21st-31st, you'd receive it in June 2025. This is because Social Security pays benefits the month after they're due, and they're paid based on your birth date. So even though your FRA is in March 2025, when you'll actually receive your first payment depends on your specific birth date within July.

My sister went through this last year and she said the whole process was pretty smooth. She applied about 3 months before her FRA and everything worked out fine. Just make sure you have all your documents ready - birth certificate, marriage certificate if applicable, tax returns, etc. Makes the process go much smoother!

GOOD LUCK trying to actually REACH someone at Social Security if you have questions when filling out the application!!!! I spent THREE WEEKS trying to get through on the phone. Either busy signals or disconnected after waiting 2+ hours. Absolutely RIDICULOUS how they expect seniors to deal with this system!!!

My birthday is also in July and I have the same FRA as you! I just applied last month and everything went smoothly. They did ask when I wanted benefits to start and I made sure to tell them at my FRA. The online application was actually easier than I expected!

One other thing to keep in mind: if you're still working when you reach your FRA, there's no earnings limit once you hit that 66 and 8 months mark. Before FRA, there's a limit to how much you can earn without having benefits reduced ($22,320 in 2025 with $1 deducted for every $2 earned above the limit). But starting the month you reach FRA, you can earn any amount without reduction. So if you're planning to work past your FRA, you definitely want to be clear about your benefit start date being exactly at your FRA or later to avoid any potential earnings test issues.

dont 4get to think about taxes 2... up to 85% of SS can b taxable if ur other income is high enough

After reading all these comments, I want to share my experience. I applied exactly 3 months before my FRA and specifically told them I wanted benefits to start at my FRA. Everything went perfectly - no reduced benefits, no delays. The SSA representative confirmed multiple times that my benefits would start at my FRA, not before. I'd recommend applying in December for your March FRA, and make sure you clearly indicate when you want benefits to begin.