Contributor ⭐

Huge delays in Social Security processing new retirement applications, does anyone know why

436 replies
320398 views

The website for Social Security used to say that it would take up to 30 days to process new applications for retirement benefits. In a week it will have been three months. Now the website says 2-4 weeks, but that has got to still be wrong.

I gather from other forums, that a delay of 2-3 months is now normal.

What I would like to know is, why?

Every time I try to search for information, all of the results are about disability, not retirement. And not a single results explains why it is taking so long when they already have my entire work history of 47 years, etc. They have all the information they need.

What exactly is it that they do to process applications which turns 2-4 weeks into 2-3 months.

Does anyone know why?

I cannot work a job right now, my arthritis is too painful.

I can't wait more months to begin getting retirement checks, I will be homeless.

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TheresaB17788

Contributor ⭐

Ridiculous system. I applied December 14, 2024 - am still stuck in step 2 in February 2025. Worse, I applied for Medicare at the same time and my 65th birthday has come and gone. I cannot apply for supplemental insurance until I can prove that I applied for Medicare A&B - which is pending along with my social security application. Was told "You have to give us at least 90 days/" WHAT??? Where does it instruct applicants that they need that amount of lead time to process an application?? Just crossing my fingers that I do not have any health issues until they eventually finish whatever they are doing.

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ThomasA906503

Contributor ⭐

I applied for retirement benefits on October 13 ( I am FRA) for my start month of February. I have yet to hear from SS and am currently stuck on step 2 of 3. My supposed representative is in Baltimore. And I live in Philly.

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GailL1

@ThomasA906503

Your delay is a big question - FRA, applied in plenty of time, etc. unless there is something else going on - but they should have notified you if they had questions or documents.

I assume that you had reviewed your earnings statement and it seemed correct. I assume that you gave them all your info like the bank/account to send the payment. That you are a citizen and worked in this country. I assume you are applying for your own benefits and not another type under another number holder. I assume that you have never withdrew your application from an earlier filing where benefits had to be repaid before being set back up.

If you don’t hear something soon you might call your most local SSA office and set up an appointment to review your application and see what the holdup might be.

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JayneC904223

Contributor ⭐

I just received notification that my SS application was processed for approval yesterday. November 7, 2024-February 18, 2025 wait time.

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rharcum

Contributor ⭐

I'm in about the same time frame but have not yet gotten an approval. Did they tell you if they would provide retro-pay all the way back to the date of your application? Or do you lose out on that money because of their delay?

fffred

Conversationalist ⭐⭐⭐

@rharcum If for some reason your application is not processed and approved before the month for which you requested benefits to commence (specified in the application) they will pay the months "back pay". (Of course, if the application is not approved for some reason, this doesn't apply.)

In any case, the money will never be lost. If for some reason your benefit wasn't given until 6 months, for instance, after your selected month, your actual benefit for the new month would be greater than that for the missed target month. The benefit would increase either because it's not going to be dinged as much if taken prior to your FRA, or if it's after your FRA then you'll get some delayed retirement credits and a larger monthly benefit.

Of course, some people may be counting on the cash and would prefer the back pay so they have that cash they were counting on, not some slightly-higher monthly benefit.

Good luck!

oh, yes. I recall now that my application had my age 70 as my target. The SSA missed approval for this month and I did not get a payment for the following month. However, I got a lump sum back pay for the month or two that had been missed. I was just looking at that last night; I've now been collecting about 3 years.

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kb6376

Contributor ⭐

I know why. Social security workers don’t get paid well enough and when new people are hired and find out how complicated the work is they quit! I work with these folks in my job every day and since the threats to government workers has picked up more, I’m being asked if MY OFFICE is hiring! They aren’t paying enough to attract and retain agents. Until that changes, be prepared to wait.

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BalbonisMoleskine

Conversationalist ⭐⭐

Two of my relatives work for the SSA in one of the local offices. The pay is the main reason why they will stay until retirement.

fffred

Conversationalist ⭐⭐⭐

People rise to their level of comfort and competence. Some like the routine and security of government office work. And don't aim higher.

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LarryF544725

Contributor ⭐⭐

This topic has been very useful. Thank you all for your contributions.

I applied in January for FRA benefits in April.

Mine is a very simple straightforward application too.

Based on what I am hearing, all I can do is wait... for now.

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LarryF544725

Contributor ⭐⭐

... Also, I will keep checking my SOS account for any updates.

"Possible" next step is to contact my local SOS office for help.

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LarryF544725

Contributor ⭐⭐

Continuing to check my SOS account...

I noticed this new message on my SOS application status screen,

"We are working as quickly as possible to process your application."

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rharcum

Contributor ⭐

I applied in November for my full retirement benefit to begin in January. The application has been stuck at step 2 of 3 since December 5th. No explanation why. No way to check. I callled (which took hours waiting in the cue) but the agent didn’t know anything.

They are effectively refusing to pay me my Social Security benefits by not processing my application.

Guess he lied when he said Social Security would not be cut.

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RobynA790783

Contributor ⭐

I applied November 1st with benefit to begin in January. I actually heard from my Social Security technician last Monday. Based on my birthday, I will receive my first Social Security check the 4th Wednesday of the month (check for Feb is for Jan benefits). Sounds like they are processed based on when you want to start benefits, not when you applied. Hope

this helps.

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SusanR428528

Contributor ⭐

I applied 12/24/24 to start on 3/1/25 and I'm stuck in stage 2, it's being processed in Jamaica, NY. The site says it will take 30 days but I haven't heard anything at all.

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dejanata

Contributor ⭐

My husband applied in June of 2024. Crickets.

WebWiseWoman

Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐

Based on my experience in 2017, I'm not sure this is terribly late; with the new elimination of staff, that will probably change.

Perhaps SS will be eliminated; we'll wait and find out...

Done with this "new" and "improved"... kinda like dotard improved America...

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TheGaff725

Contributor ⭐

What elimination of staff? No one has been let go from SS! However, I predict many more government run agencies, (not affected at all) will use DOGE as a new excuse for everything under the sun.

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CclH877323

Contributor ⭐

I applied online Nov 24 2024 Still in step 2. Jamaica NY office. I live in NJ. Are they all ‘working from home’ ??

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EliseB843729

Contributor ⭐

same here. applied nov 19th. the exact day i was allowed to apply. it's stuck at step 2. my ss office doesn't answer the phone. need to make an apptmt to see someone. no way to make apptmts online.

i'm betting all they would do is look online, tell me what I already know and say just wait.

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LindaS709179

Contributor ⭐

Sent in app on Nov 4th..still in step 2. What is going on????

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