What-Benefits.com

how soon do you apply for social security benefits

by Dr. Jessyca Schowalter Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
image

You can apply up to four months before you want your retirement benefits to start. For example, if you turn 62 on December 2, you can start your benefits as early as December, and apply in August. Even if you are not ready to retire, you still should sign up for Medicare three months before your 65th birthday.Aug 23, 2021

What is the earliest you can apply for Social Security?

There are three key ages when it comes to Social Security:

  • Age 62: This is the earliest age you can begin to receive retirement benefits. Your monthly benefit will be permanently reduced.
  • Age 66: This is currently “full retirement age” (FRA). ...
  • Age 70: This is the latest age you want to file for benefits. ...

What is the best age to apply for Social Security?

from San Antonio recently wrote me: “I have read a lot about postponing Social Security until age 70. Have you ever calculated ... If you’re in that group you want to do it right. You want to apply some thoughtful math and probabilities to your ...

When can you start collecting Social Security?

To claim Social Security spousal benefits, you’ll need to meet certain criteria, including being at least age 62 in most cases. Your spouse or ex-spouse also must be living. Keep in mind that the criteria for spousal benefits varies depending on whether you’re married or divorced.

How much can I make and still get Social Security?

You are receiving Social Security retirement benefits every month in 2022 and you:

  • Are under full retirement age all year. ...
  • Reach full retirement age in August 2022. ...
  • Your Social Security benefits would be reduced through July by $226 ($1 for every $3 you earned over the limit). ...
  • Beginning in August 2021, when you reach full retirement age, you would receive your full benefit ($800 per month), no matter how much you earn.

image

How long does it take to get your first Social Security check once you apply?

Once you have applied, it could take up to three months to receive your first benefit payment. Social Security benefits are paid monthly, starting in the month after the birthday at which you attain full retirement age (which is currently 66 and will gradually rise to 67 over the next several years).

What is the first step in applying for Social Security?

Just follow these 5 steps.Step 1: Make sure you want to apply. Make sure you make the right decision about when to apply. ... Step 2: Assess eligibility. Make sure you are eligible. ... Step 3: Gather documents. ... Step 4: Complete application. ... Step 5: Monitor status.

At what age is Social Security no longer taxed?

At 65 to 67, depending on the year of your birth, you are at full retirement age and can get full Social Security retirement benefits tax-free.

What documents are needed when applying for Social Security?

Social SecurityYour Social Security card or a record of your number.Your original birth certificate, a copy certified by the issuing agency, or other proof of your age. ... If you were not born in the U.S., proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status.More items...

When will Social Security payments arrive?

This means that if you turn 62 on Dec. 15, then your first payment will arrive on the third Wednesday of the following February. If your birthday is Dec. 15 and you are already over age 62, then your first payment should arrive on the third Wednesday of the month following the month when you apply. If you’re already on Social Security or receive both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments, then you may receive them on a different date.

When do you get your Social Security check?

The earliest you can apply for Social Security benefits is at age 61 and nine months, and you can expect to receive your first payment four months later—the month after your birthday. 1 Typically, Social Security benefits are paid the month after they are due, or must be specified.

What is the youngest age to apply for Social Security?

For Social Security income, the youngest age when you can apply is 61 years and nine months old .

How long does it take to get a Medicare check?

The application itself takes about 10 to 30 minutes and can be saved at any point for future completion. In addition, this application can also be used to apply for Medicare. 6. It is generally recommended that you apply a few months in advance of when you would like to start receiving the checks.

How to check status of Social Security application?

Once you have completed your application and supplied all requested information, you are given a receipt for your records and a confirmation number that you can use to check the status of your application online after submission. You can also follow up over the phone or in person at your local Social Security office. 8 Depending on your situation and what documentation may be required, your application may be approved within the same month when you apply.

When do you get your first paycheck at 62?

For example, if you turn 62 on Dec. 15, then your first full month of eligibility is January, and your payment for that month will arrive in February. If you have already reached age 62 and met all other eligibility criteria, then you may begin collecting benefits in the same month when you apply if you specify, although your first payment still would not arrive until the following month.

When do Social Security benefits stop?

The amount that your monthly Social Security benefit increases for each year that you delay taking benefits past full retirement age (until you reach age 70 , at which point the increases stop)

When do you get your Social Security check?

If you are due benefits for the month of December, you will receive your first check in January for December.

How long do you have to withdraw Social Security?

Sometimes, life changes occur after you submit your application. You have up to 12 months to withdraw your application, if you change your mind. You will be required to repay any benefits you’ve already received. Learn more about Withdrawing Your Social Security Retirement Application.

How old do you have to be to get unemployment?

You must be at least age 62 for the entire month to be eligible to receive benefits. If you were born on the first or second day of the month, you meet this requirement in the month of your 62nd birthday. If you were born on any other day of the month, you do not meet this requirement until the following month.

How long does it take to appeal a decision?

You have a right to appeal any decision we make about whether you’re entitled to benefits. You must request an appeal in writing within 60 days of receiving our decision. There are four levels of appeal:

Ways to Apply

You can complete an application for Retirement, Spouse's, Medicare or Disability Benefits online.

Retirement or Spouse's Benefits

You can apply online for Retirement or spouse's benefits or continue an application you already started.

Disability Benefits

You can apply online for disability benefits or continue an application you already started.

Appeal a Disability Decision

If your application for disability benefits was denied recently for medical reasons, you can request an appeal online or continue working on an appeal you already started.

Medicare Benefits

You can apply online for Medicare or continue an application you already started.

Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Costs

You can apply online for Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug costs.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits

If you want to apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), please read:

How much will Social Security be reduced in 2021?

You should also note that if you decide to return to work, even part-time, and aren’t yet at your FRA, your Social Security benefits may be temporarily reduced. The reduction is $1 for every $2 of earned income over $18,960 in 2021 (and $19,560 in 2022). During the year when you reach your FRA, your benefits will be reduced by $1 for every $3 in income over $50,520 in 2021 ($51,960 in 2022) until the month when you become fully eligible. 17 That money isn’t lost, however. The SSA will credit it to your record when you reach your FRA, resulting in a higher benefit. 18

How much is my unemployment check at 62?

In other words, you’ll get 25% less per month, and your check will be $1,500. 1 .

What is the average Medicare premium for 2022?

In 2022, the average monthly premium for Part D will be $33 per month versus $31.47 in 2021. If you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, the average monthly premium will be $19 per month in 2022 versus $21.22 in 2021. However, if you are still receiving health insurance from your or your spouse’s employer, you might not yet have to enroll in Medicare. 21

How much is a month of benefits at 62?

If, for example, you’d get $1,500 a month starting at age 62 or $2,000 a month starting at age 66, you will have received roughly the same amount in total benefits by age 77 or so. At that point the higher monthly benefits you’d get as a result of waiting will begin to pay off.

Does Social Security increase at age 66?

That reduced benefit won’t increase once you reach age 66. Rather, you’ll continue to receive it for the rest of your life. It may go up over time due to cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs), but only slightly. You can do the math for your own situation using the Social Security Administration (SSA) Early or Late Retirement Calculator, one of a number of benefit calculators provided by the SSA that can also help you determine your FRA, the SSA’s estimate of your life expectancy for benefit calculations, rough estimates of your retirement benefits, individualized projections of your benefits based on your personal work record, and more. 5 6

Is Social Security taxable?

Your Social Security benefits may be partially taxable if your combined income exceeds certain thresholds. Regardless of how much you make, the first 15% of your benefits are not taxed. 10 

Do you get Social Security if you live long?

The Social Security website will tell you that regardless of when you start claiming, your lifetime benefits will be similar if you live as long as the average retiree. The problem is that not everyone will have an average life expectancy, hence all the different claiming strategies. 10

What is the decision to receive retirement benefits?

Deciding when to start receiving your retirement benefit is a personal decision, based on many factors that are unique to each individual. For example, in addition to the monthly benefit amount, you may want to consider personal and family circumstances, including whether you are working or plan to work, current and future financial resources and obligations, and current and anticipated health and longevity.

Is it important to decide when to start receiving Social Security?

Choosing when to start receiving your Social Security retirement benefits is an important decision that affects your monthly benefit amount for the rest of your life. Your monthly retirement benefit will be higher if you delay claiming it.

How long do you have to file for unemployment in advance?

You don't really have to file in advance since you would be allowed to claim benefits up to six months retroactively but if you want to make sure your first check arrives in a timely manner, you should probably plan on filing sooner rather than later.

When will Social Security pay my Social Security check in 2021?

contributor. By the way, if you want to claim benefits at 70 and your 70th birthday is in January 2021, you should choose January 2021 as your month of election to start your benefits. Social Security pays benefits a month behind, so your payment for January will be due in February. Best, Larry.

What happens to Social Security money when you work?

As far as what happens to the money you contributed to Social Security when you were working, those taxes go into Social Security's trust fund. All Social Security benefits are paid from the trust fund, and there's no other way to receive money from the trust fund unless you qualify for benefits. If a person doesn't qualify for benefits, ...

Can I work and still get Social Security?

Hi Stephen, If you mean that you've reached your full retirement age (FRA), then you could work and earn an unlimited amount and still be paid all of your Social Security benefits.

How long does it take to get Social Security?

Typically, it takes 6 weeks to process your application and for the benefits to start. However, it will take longer if you submit incorrect information. Also, the duration for approval will depend on the number of submissions the Social Security Administration (SSA) will be processing at the time. Overall, the wait time is at least six weeks ...

How many elderly people are receiving Social Security?

At the close of 2018, approximately 60 million elderly Americans were collecting their social security benefits. The application list for the benefits is growing each year and that borders on a retirement crisis that requires solutions. Therefore, you cannot help but wonder how long does it take to get approved for social security benefits.

Does the SSA accept original documents?

The SSA will send you notification when they are required. Notably, SSA only accepts original documents and certifications. Alternatively, you can furnish them with copies certified by the government. You will get your copies back once the verification is over.

When will Social Security check arrive?

If your entitlement date (the period when an individual meets the minimum age of retirement) is in July, your first social security check will arrive in August.

When considering what age to begin Social Security benefits, is it important to look at your own financial situation?

When considering what age to begin benefits it is very important to look at your own financial situation and needs to better determine if retiring early is an option that should be considered. When it comes to Social Security retirement benefits, there are rarely questions that have a simple “one size fits all” answer.

What is Social Security retirement?

Originally established after the Great Depression, Social Security is a supplemental retirement program designed to ensure retired citizens have some level of income from which to live after they stop working. ...

What is the retirement age for a person born after 1960?

The official retirement age is determined by the year in which a person was born. For example, those born after 1960 have an official retirement age of 67 .

Do you count on Social Security if you have worked?

Social Security benefits make it possible for all individuals who have worked and paid into the Social Security fund to count on a benefit check that will provide income to cover living expenses and other financial needs once they are retired .

Is Social Security the only retirement benefit?

For many people Social Security is the only retirement benefit that they can count on, while others will add this income to distributions from other retirement accounts they have funded throughout the years. Here we take a closer look at some common questions asked about Social Security retirement benefits.

image
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9