FYI - HOW EARLY CAN I APPLY INFO

[GailL1]

Just FYI

You can apply for retirement benefit up to (4) months before you want them to start.  However if you are applying for EARLY retirement benefits you must take certain timing into consideration.

• You must be at least age 62 for the entire month to be eligible to receive benefits. If you were born on the first or second day of the month, you meet this requirement in the month of your 62nd birthday. If you were born on any other day of the month, you do not meet this requirement until the following month.
• You can apply up to four months before you want your retirement benefits to start. For example, if you turn 62 on December 2, you can start your benefits as early as December. If you want your benefits to start in December, you can apply in August. If you turn 62 any day after December 2, you are not age 62 for the entire month of December. You can start your benefits as early as January when you are 62 for the entire month. If you want your benefits to start in January, you can apply in September.
• Social Security benefits are paid in the month following the month they are due. If you are due benefits for the month of December, you will receive your first check in January for December.

  SSA.gov- Applying for Retirement Benefits 

[fffred]

@GailL1   Thanks Gail. A timely tip for my wife’s application.