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StevenC173520
Contributor ⭐⭐
Oct 5, 2025 12:31 AM UTC

Applying for SS during shutdown

  I just applied for my for my age 70 benefit. Starting in February. This should be the ultimate stress test!

 

After the nightmare of Army Benefit Center totally butchering my High 3 calculation, and then failing to send my retirement package to OPM & DFAS for several months- what could go wrong???

Wish me luck!

 

      18 replies

      StevenC173520Author
      Contributor ⭐⭐
      Mar 9, 2026 9:17 PM UTC

      This is my final update to my application during a government shutdown. It didn't really affect my application at all. I was informed that my application was apprroved fairly quickly, and then the waiting game began. I got a final approval message with an amount in February, 4 months after my application in February. The number that SS quoted me was exactly what I was expecting. I just looked in my bank account, and a payment is scheduled to be posted on Wed. March 11th 2026. This amount seems to reflect a medicare part B deduction, and then a 10% Federal tax deduction.

      I was surprised by this, assuming it would be 10% tax, then Medicare deductions. This means about $20 less federal tax witholding- not a major issue for me. All in all, I have to say my application went very smoothly.

        StevenC173520Author
        Contributor ⭐⭐
        Mar 9, 2026 9:18 PM UTC

        I applied in October- not February!

          SereneSeagull
          SereneSeagull
          Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐
          Oct 17, 2025 7:17 PM UTC

          Congrats!  Crossing fingers it’s a smooth process!

          ~~ Per Jimmy Buffett 🫧🫧 Bubbles Up!
          StevenC173520Author
          Contributor ⭐⭐
          Oct 19, 2025 2:01 PM UTC

          I got a message about 3 days after applying, that my application is at step 2- under review at the Denver center. Guess I will be stuck here for a while!

          GailL1
          Oct 19, 2025 10:07 PM UTC

          @StevenC173520 

          As long as the Army got everything right from your years of service, Especially since you have had no reportable income for several years and you are at the max age for benefits, you should be fine and actually get approved pretty quickly - at least by the month that you requested - your 1st benefit should come the next month based on your birthday.  

           

           

          GailL1
          Oct 5, 2025 8:38 PM UTC

          According to the procedures that the SSA and OMB Directors have OKed up to now  - most everything about claims will continue - but if there is research necessary, it could be a bit slower.  

          SSA.gov - News Release 10.01.2025  

          Do as much as you can online -

          Your claim should be easy but remember if you had any work credit earned in 2025, then those will be credited to you later when the data gets to SSA via the W2 employer reporting at year end.

          Welcome to Retirement.

           

           

            StevenC173520Author
            Contributor ⭐⭐
            Oct 6, 2025 4:55 PM UTC

            Gail, thank you  for this info. I haven't worked since 2021, so no W2's floating in the ether!

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