When to file for Social Security at FRA in January 2025 - confused about payment timing and working limits

You should apply about 3 months before you want benefits to start. Since you hit FRA in January 2025, you'd want to apply around October 2024 if you want benefits to start in January. You're correct about the earnings limit - once you reach FRA, there is no limit on how much you can earn while receiving full benefits. That's one of the big advantages of waiting until FRA. Regarding payment timing: Social Security pays benefits in the month AFTER the month they're due. So your January benefit would be paid in February 2025, February's benefit in March, etc. Benefits are typically deposited on the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th Wednesday of the month, depending on your birth date.

i filed 2 months b4 my FRA back in 2021 and it worked fine, some1 told me you can also do it online now saves trip to ss office

I totally understand your anxiety about this! When I reached FRA last year, I was equally stressed. I ended up applying online about 10 weeks before my birthday. The online application lets you specify exactly which month you want benefits to start, so you can clearly indicate January 2025. One thing to note - you mentioned being born on January 7th. Social Security pays benefits for full months, so January would be your first full month at FRA, and that payment would come in February. And yes, the earnings test disappears completely once you reach FRA! I'm still working full-time and receiving my full Social Security retirement benefit. It's a really nice supplement to my income!

The SSA website says you can apply up to 4 months before you want your benefits to begin. Not sure why everyone says 3 months or 2 months.

THE SSA IS A COMPLETE DISASTER RIGHT NOW!! I applied 3 months before my FRA and they STILL messed up my start date! I specifically requested April 2023 and they started my benefits in March 2023. Then they sent me an OVERPAYMENT notice for that month even though THEY made the mistake!!! Took me 6 MONTHS to get it fixed because you can NEVER reach a real person on their 800 number. The whole system is BROKEN!!

If you're having trouble getting through to SSA on the phone, you might want to try Claimyr (claimyr.com). I was getting nowhere trying to confirm my application status - constant busy signals and disconnects for weeks. Claimyr connected me to an agent in about 20 minutes instead of waiting on hold for hours. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU. Saved me a lot of stress when I was in your exact situation last year.

also remmber that you gotta pay taxes on ur ss benefits if ur making alot of money still working, my brother in law got hit with a big tax bill cause he didnt know

My mom just went through this whole process. Make sure you have ALL your documents ready when you apply - birth certificate, marriage certificate if applicable, tax returns, etc. She had to reschedule her appointment because she forgot some papers and it delayed everything by weeks!

One last thing to consider: Even though you're reaching FRA in January 2025, your payment date will be determined by your birth date. If you were born on the 7th, your payment will typically arrive on the second Wednesday of each month. So your January 2025 benefit would be paid on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. Just something to keep in mind for your budgeting.