Applying for SS during shutdown

[StevenC173520]

  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!

[SereneSeagull]

Congrats!  Crossing fingers it’s a smooth process!

[StevenC173520]

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]

@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.  

[StevenC173520]

Well, just as you and Roseanne Roseannadanna always say:

IT‘S ALWAYS SOMETHING . . . . .. . . . Never mind!

I just checked my social security account, because - why not?

I was shocked to see that the statement about my application being approved 

is now gone.  It's back to the under review boiler plate, typically 30 days,

if they need information they will contact me, etc...  I feel like Charlie Brown having the football yanked away. Any ideas what they could be doing?

Steve

[StevenC173520]

Oops, "Never Mind" was the Emily Litella thing. I was in New Orleans in the late 70's, and SNL was doing a show there. I saw all the greats! 

Steve

[GailL1]

@StevenC173520  - You said in your post dated StevenC173520 Regular Contributor 10-25-2025 04:32 AM

“Your claim has been approved but will continue to show pending until the month you elected to start your benefits.”

You just confirmed that this is now how it is showing up, 

What month did you want your benefits to begin?  They should begin the following month since SS is paid one month in arrears and is based on your day of birth if you aren’t on some aspect of Medicaid.  . Based on this calendar - the legend is at the bottom of the page.

This is the 2025 Calendar, I assume that your benefits will begin in 2025. 

[StevenC173520]

yes they had posted “Your claim has been approved but will continue to show pending until the month you elected to start your benefits.” on my social security website, but now they have removed that statement.

Steve

[StevenC173520]

OK, I guess applying during a shutdown wasn't so bad after all! I just got this:

Your claim has been approved but will continue to show pending until the month you elected to start your benefits.

20 days start to finish, and no requests for additional info!

Happy!

Steve

[StevenC173520]

Thank you for this opinion, which I also share. I am an american, and a 2nd half boomer (Generation Jones)- so patience is not one of my virtues! Steve

[GailL1 · Accepted solution]

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.

[StevenC173520]

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