When will first Social Security check arrive after January 2025 start date?
So confused about when my husband's first Social Security payment will actually show up in our account! He just filed his application today and selected January 2025 as his benefit start date. The SSA rep wasn't clear about whether his first payment would arrive IN January or if the January payment comes in February. I know SS pays a month behind sometimes, but does that mean his first deposit will be in February for January? Or will he actually get a payment in January? We're trying to budget for some medical expenses early next year and need to know exactly when that first check hits our account. Anyone been through this recently?
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Yuki Nakamura
Social Security benefits are paid the month after they're due. So if his benefits start in January 2025, the first payment will arrive in February 2025. The payment date depends on his birth date - if born between the 1st-10th, payment comes on the second Wednesday; 11th-20th, third Wednesday; 21st-31st, fourth Wednesday. This is for regular retirement benefits (not SSI which has different payment dates).
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Ethan Moore
•Thank you! His birthday is on the 17th so I guess that means third Wednesday of February. I wish the SSA rep had explained it that clearly!
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StarSurfer
my husband got his first check the next month but it showed up on a diff day than all the ones after that. something about the first one being processed different?? the rest came on the right wednesday but first one was like random day
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Yuki Nakamura
•Yes, that sometimes happens with the first payment. The initial payment might not align perfectly with the regular schedule as they're setting up the account in their system. After that, it should consistently arrive on the scheduled Wednesday based on birth date.
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Carmen Reyes
Is your husband still working?? Because if he's under FRA (full retirement age) and makes over the earnings limit, they'll withhold some benefits. My husband got surprised by this last year - they held back a whole month's payment because he earned too much! Just warning you so you can budget correctly.
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Ethan Moore
•He'll be 67 in November so he's already at his full retirement age. From what I understand there's no earnings limit after FRA, right? He's still working part-time at his brother's business but plans to fully retire next summer.
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Yuki Nakamura
•You're correct - there's no earnings limit once you reach full retirement age (which is between 66-67 depending on birth year). Since your husband will be 67, he can earn any amount without affecting his Social Security benefits.
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Andre Moreau
I had the WORST time trying to get answers about my first payment. Called SSA like 17 times and kept getting disconnected or waiting for hours! Finally I found this service called Claimyr that got me through to a real person in about 20 minutes. They connect you directly to SSA without the crazy wait. Check them out at claimyr.com - they have a video explaining how it works at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU. Saved me from going insane with the phone system!
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Zoe Christodoulou
•does that actually work?? i need to call about my backpay but i literally cant sit on hold all day with my job
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Andre Moreau
•Yes! That's exactly why I used it - couldn't stay on hold all day. They connected me to someone at SSA who actually cleared up my payment question. I was shocked it worked so well after all my failed attempts.
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Jamal Thompson
The FIRST check is ALWAYS delayed!!!! Social Security NEVER tells you this but it's TRUE. My first check was supposed to come February but didn't arrive until MARCH!!!! Be prepared to wait LONGER than they tell you. The government ALWAYS messes things up!!!
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Ethan Moore
•Oh no... that's really concerning. We're counting on that money for some expenses. I hope it's not delayed for us.
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Mei Chen
•While there can sometimes be processing delays with the first payment, it's not accurate to say they're always delayed. Most initial payments arrive on schedule. If your husband applied well in advance (which it sounds like he did), and his application is straightforward, there's a good chance it will arrive as scheduled in February. Just make sure all requested documentation was submitted with the application to avoid processing delays.
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StarSurfer
i think you can check the my social security account online to see the payment schedule i just made one last month its kinda helpful
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Ethan Moore
•That's a great idea! I think he created an account when he applied. I'll have him log in and see if it shows his payment schedule yet. Thanks for the suggestion!
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Zoe Christodoulou
My wife signed up for SSDI last year and her first check was late too. But SSI gets paid on different days than retirement doesnt it? So confused about all these different programs and payment schedules!
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Mei Chen
•You're right about the confusion - there are different payment schedules: - SSI (Supplemental Security Income) payments always come on the 1st of the month - Social Security retirement, survivors, and SSDI (Disability) follow the birthday schedule (2nd, 3rd, or 4th Wednesday) - If you get both SSI and Social Security, SSI comes on the 1st and the other payment on the 3rd The person who started this thread is asking about retirement benefits, which follow the Wednesday schedule based on birth date.
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Ethan Moore
Thanks everyone for the helpful information! I feel much better now understanding that his January 2025 benefit will arrive in February, specifically on the third Wednesday since his birthday is on the 17th. We'll make sure to budget accordingly and not expect anything in January. I'll have him check his my SSA account regularly to track any updates too.
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