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

maryostrem

Contributor ⭐

I'm so sorry to hear it. The new Administration seems to be doing it intentionally, since these are efficient systems that have functioned well for decades until they got the job. IRS is equally slow this year. We seniors may be old and hurting, but we have power. Let's speak up.

Q

quidduo

Contributor ⭐

Social Security and many government systems are antiquated and OLD! The systems can process basic new accounts, but if there are problems with information to set the account it goes into limbo! Outdated legacy software and systems are the reason. A close relative of mine worked for the federal government and he says it is unbelievable how out of date these systems are. He now works in the private sector after 20 years of government service. He couldn't stand the bureaucracy and inaction of the government any longer so he left! These systems are not just social security, but are basically every federal government system!!!!

Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐

@quidduo

Yes, the system of SSA is old but the mysocialsecurity account is now being updated with further ID requirements to make it as secure as the ID.me program. So if you are setting the account up for the 1st time or are going back in after a while of not going in, and if you are using login. gov then it will ask you to update your account -

IT‘S ALWAYS SOMETHING . . . . .. . . . Roseanne Roseannadanna

r803761p

Contributor ⭐

How long is it taking now for approval of retirement benefits? I applied on 2/22/25 and seem to be stuck on step 2 of 3. Just want to know what I should realistically expect in terms of approval. Thanks!

SSA.gov- Schedule of Social Security Benefit Payments 2025

Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐

@r803761p

The SSA works on Retirement applications received based on (1) whether the claimant is filing early or is at or over their FRA. (2) The month one chooses to have their benefits begin.

Social Security benefits are paid one month in arrears so if one wants their benefits to begin in June, the 1st payment would come in July based on ones birth DAY based on this calendar. The legend for the calendar is at the bottom of the page.

If they have any questions on your benefit or your eligibility, the SSA will contact you.

The final approval letter is posted on your mySocialSecurity account and is also mailed to you shortly before your benefits begin - in fact you may see the benefit posted or pending in your bank account before you see your letter. Seeing it online in your account is faster than waiting for the mail.

You can apply for Retirement benefits UP TO (4) months before your chosen month of when you want your benefits to begin. If you are applying for early benefits at age 62, this is strictly adhered to by the system and if you apply earlier than that (4) month period from your 62nd birthday, then the system will keep trying to give you a disability claim form than retirement application because SSDI would be the only benefit you can apply for if you are younger than 62 years old (within that 4-month application period).

You will continue to see the 2/3 showing until right before your benefits begin - you also might notice a test Treasury deposit on you bank account with no money - just to make sure the account is ready.

So don’t sweat the process until you go over that benefit payment start date + the (1) month in arrears positing date. If more people understood the timing and process perhaps the system would be a lot less back up with people calling, fretting, - you asked for that date so that’s what they are trying to meet.

IT‘S ALWAYS SOMETHING . . . . .. . . . Roseanne Roseannadanna

maryd666163

Contributor ⭐⭐

Your information was very helpful. I wonder if you know the answer to this: I am not at fra, I'm applying at 62, I applied about 6 weeks ago with an April start date requested.

Assuming it may still be months before I find out, will I get payments retroactive to April when they finally begin?

Thanks for your time!

rolocedoc

Contributor ⭐⭐

📎 [Thursday 4/3/25]

@rolocedoc , I am confused. I get the part of you posting this info. Yes, I read it online. My question - in the TAG AREA you have "share it here if you have received". Received our monthly Retirement Social Security benefit payment for THIS MONTH (April 2025)? NO pressure to respond. Take care, Nicole 👵

[*** @rolocedoc wrote 4/3/25:

📸Screenprint attached ***]

rolocedoc

Contributor ⭐⭐

Maam - there's no confusion - share - meaning, let the group know that you have received your pension despite of this report from MUSK - if you receive your benefits then maybe you're one of the lucky ones who have not been scammed - if this has been happening - ok - I'm clearing the confusion - I hope my explanation is clear enough for everyone - I have no intentions to make a SSA pension delayed - we need to give time to the NEW administration to work - on our favor - their intentions that WE - all retirees should be compensated for our hard work - have a blessed week!

rolocedoc

Contributor ⭐⭐

For those waiting : Here's an update -

What To Know

In an effort to clear up confusion regarding new rules, the SSA posted on X, formerly Twitter, on April 3: "If you are receiving #SocialSecurity benefits or #SSI, you do NOT need to visit an office to prove your identity to continue to receive your payments on time.

"You do not need to call or visit us if you are already receiving #SocialSecurity benefits or #SSI and do not have a current need to do business with us," a separate post reads.

The posts come after the federal agency updated its requirements for new benefit applicants. The SSA has implemented a new rule that will make it no longer possible for applicants to verify their identity with the SSA over the phone when making claims, or when current beneficiaries need to change direct deposit information.

mo5298

Contributor ⭐⭐

I applied for benefits January 6th, it was stuck on step 2 of 3 until recently (I looked about 3 weeks ago). Today I get the message that they cannot even show me the progress (or lack thereof) of my application. I live abroad. Is it time to call them? Have I been scammed? Pretty desperate right now!

mo5298

Contributor ⭐⭐

I applied for retirement benefits Jan 6 2025 at 62 and 9 months old. I checked many times and it showed as on step 2 of 3. I checked again today and it doesn't show anything, just a message saying they cannot show me the status of my application. What to do? I live abroad so cannot go to any office. Should I try to call? Very worried!😔

📎@mo5298 , I would be worried too!!! Is there an American Embassy near you? 🤔 When I lived in Jamaica, West Indies as a child of an American working there for an American Company - they HELPED Americans with this. NOT sure IF they still do. Lol, CALLING - take a chair and prepare for HOURS on hold IF you get through. Take care, Nicole 👵

[*** @mo5298 wrote 4/8/25:
I applied for retirement benefits Jan 6 2025 at 62 and 9 months old. I checked many times and it showed as on step 2 of 3. I checked again today and it doesn't show anything, just a message saying they cannot show me the status of my application. What to do? I live abroad so cannot go to any office. Should I try to call? Very worried!😔 ***]

mo5298

Contributor ⭐⭐

I spent 100 minutes today on hold trying to get through to Social Security in the US… time wasted. I guess my next step is the Embassy but they’re impossible to get a hold of too…. Shameful after contributing all my life to the system 😢

P

PaulaH805383

Contributor ⭐

Where is the outrage from AARP about all of this! Social Security is being destroyed and AARP sits by and says almost nothing. This isn't the same org that fought for prescription drug cost savings and many other things. I'm considering cancelling my membership. I want AARP to fight for us, not capitulate.

Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐

@PaulaH805383

Your do realize that you are responding to a post that was made on 04/14/ 2023 - that’s (2) years ago - so really for some, not too much has changed.

IT‘S ALWAYS SOMETHING . . . . .. . . . Roseanne Roseannadanna

maryd666163

Contributor ⭐⭐

UPDATE ON SS RETIREMENT APPLICATION:

I applied online on February 24th for benefits at 62 years old. My application, like many, was stuck in the second phase of three every time I checked.

On Friday April 11th I got a call saying that I was approved and that everything was a go to start in April as requested. (Which means a May payment.)

They were very kind and informative; the agent asked me if I wouldn't rather take the survivor benefits that I was eligible for. I had never even considered this, as my husband had died at 57 in 2000. The payment is hundreds of dollars more than mine, and I'm able to keep my own payment growing until full retirement age or until I'm 70, at which point I can switch from his benefit to mine, because at that time mine will be more than his. The only thing they needed from me to change from my benefits to his was our marriage certificate, which I was able to drop off at my local Milwaukee Social Security office. They made a copy and faxed it over to the Chicago location where my application was being processed.

In any case, it was about 6 weeks from application to approval, as is now showing when I look at my online account. The third block is highlighted, and there is a note indicating that I have been approved and that I should get a letter within 10 to 12 days.

Hope this helps someone out there!

J

jimbradfield

Contributor ⭐

I'm so happy for you! I took applied in February at 69 1/2 years. I decided things were too tumultuous to take a chance on waiting until 70 years. I'm still stuck on step 2. I'm still working 2 jobs (63 hours per week) to make ends meet & am getting tired! Wish me luck that relief will come soon!

📎 Jim @jimbradfield , I hope you get approved soon!!! Some people had posted on this site that visiting their local office to check on their "online" application helped with approval. I do ADMIRE you so much. You are indeed an "example" of hard work & being responsible. Take care, Nicole 👵

[*** @jimbradfield wrote 4/16/25:
I'm so happy for you! I took applied in February at 69 1/2 years. I decided things were too tumultuous to take a chance on waiting until 70 years. I'm still stuck on step 2. I'm still working 2 jobs (63 hours per week) to make ends meet & am getting tired! Wish me luck that relief will come soon! ***]

📎 [Saturday 4/19/25]

It seems 4 to 5 months for approval from the posts on this site. And stopping by a local office to check on "online" application has worked for some.

Any UPDATES to share anyone? 🤔

Take care,

Nicole 👵

J

JeanneF312002

Contributor ⭐

I applied in February and I am still stuck at stage two of three. It has been almost 2 months. I should be getting my first check on May 1, but that clearly isn’t going to happen short of a miracle.

Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐

@JeanneF312002 The 2025 Social Security Calendar of Benefit Payments - the legend is on the bottom of the form so that you will know which Wednesday of the month you will get for your benefit - but if you asked for May as your beginning month for benefits and benefits are paid one month behind - you probably won't get your 1st benefit until June - on the Wednesday that correlates with your birth day. What month did you asked for benefits to begin April / May ?

IT‘S ALWAYS SOMETHING . . . . .. . . . Roseanne Roseannadanna

S

SiamakG261678

Contributor ⭐

I applied first week of Jan 2025. No response as of today. The DOGE cuts have significantly impacted Social Security, leading to the closure of 10 Social Security offices, which affects beneficiaries' access to essential services. Concerns have been raised about potential interruptions in benefit payments due to these cuts, with fears that the changes could disrupt services for millions. Additionally, there are ongoing investigations into how these cuts, pushed by the Department of Government Efficiency, are crippling the Social Security Administration.