Contributor ⭐

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

Forum|Forum|3 years ago
April 14, 2023
436 replies
319541 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.

Show previous replies

SummerOnTheWay1

📎 [Friday 8/22/25]

(1) Anyone got approved this week?

(2) Anyone still waiting on approval?

Take care,

Nicole (Social Security Forum)

S

sc14513381

Contributor ⭐

Yes, after eight months of waiting, I finally received notice this week that I was approved. Now let’s see if they correctly send me the missing payments as well. Wanna bet they won’t? (by law, they must)

R

RobertR585942

Contributor ⭐

Maybe it depends on staffing levels at the office it is sent to. I applied for retirement benefits for myself and my wife online 8/1/25. Hers was sent to Illinois and was approved 8/11/25. Mine was sent to Pennsylvania and is still pending.

S

sc14513381

Contributor ⭐

Eight months after I applied to SS, specifying a March start date, I *finally* received notice of approval just a few days ago. Eight months. Of course, they’re supposed to also send me money for the months that I should have been receiving payments - but there’s nothing about that in the notification, and when I finally got through to someone at SS (holding over three hours on the phone, since callback wasn’t working), they didn’t know anything about that. If all I get is the first payment, I’m going to lose it, and I’ll just go directly to the office of my representative to intervene.

SummerOnTheWay1

📎 [8/28/25] @sc14513381 , I am sure you will get "retroactive" payments. But IF not, maybe contact your Congress Person. Good luck, Nicole!

➡️[***

@sc14513381 wrote:
Eight months after I applied to SS, specifying a March start date, I *finally* received notice of approval just a few days ago. Eight months. Of course, they’re supposed to also send me money for the months that I should have been receiving payments - but there’s nothing about that in the notification, and when I finally got through to someone at SS (holding over three hours on the phone, since callback wasn’t working), they didn’t know anything about that. If all I get is the first payment, I’m going to lose it, and I’ll just go directly to the office of my representative to intervene.

D

dg2712

Contributor ⭐

Oh my - if they are not making these past due payments retroactive, it's going to cause a mess. I hope you get things squared away. They didn't waste any time taking money out of our checks throughout our working lives.

SummerOnTheWay1

📎 [Thursday 9/4/25]

(1) Anyone got approved this week?

(2) Anyone still waiting on approval?

Take care,

Nicole (Social Security Forum)

D

dg2712

Contributor ⭐

I live in Indiana and I applied in June. I am now getting my second bill for Medicare part B. Over $1000 on insurance and still have not received my first check. 3 months of waiting so far. I’ve called after being on hold for 6 hours I was told they are still working on it.

SummerOnTheWay1

📎 [Friday 9/12/25]

(1) Anyone got approved this week?

(2) Anyone still waiting on approval?

Take care,

Nicole (Social Security Forum)

R

RonKfeb2026

Contributor ⭐

i applied Sept 8th and got a message via email to log in to read the message on the

my social security website on Sept 15th and I was approved. I will be turning 62 in Dec.

My first deposit will be in February.

SummerOnTheWay1

📎 [9/18/25] CONGRATS Ron @RonKfeb2026 !!! Any "tips" to share with people getting ready to apply or are still waiting on approval. Take care, Nicole!

➡️[*** RON

@RonKfeb2026 wrote:
i applied Sept 8th and got a message via email to log in to read the message on the
my social security website on Sept 15th and I was approved. I will be turning 62 in Dec.
My first deposit will be in February.

K

kb27907308

Contributor ⭐

Oh I wish I had known all this I would have applied earlier. I want to retire 1-16-2026 so I applied 3 months early like they had posted. LOL I haven't heard a thing about my checks starting in Janurary. But you know what my daughter applied for disability around the same time and she has had all kinds of contact from them, she gets letters and forms all the time. She was sent to see a medical provider to conform her disabilites. I have worked 50 years and paid thousands in to social security but I can't get a answer from them? It's fustrating for sure.