Contributor ⭐

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

Forum|Forum|3 years ago
April 14, 2023
436 replies
320232 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.

S

SharonT821867

Contributor ⭐

Short staff

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.

SereneSeagull

Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐

Just curious— Did you have an appointment to meet physically with someone, or did you do it online?

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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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)

A

alexajame

Contributor ⭐

I’m so sorry you’re going through this, I know how stressful these delays can be😔.
Unfortunately, you’re right many people are now experiencing 2–3 month (or even longer) waits for retirement benefit processing. From what I’ve gathered, the main reasons seem to be:

Backlog from pandemic-related staffing shortages that still hasn’t cleared
System updates and modernization efforts slowing certain workflows
Manual verifications for some applications, even if records are complete

You might want to try:

Calling your local Social Security office directly (sometimes they can escalate urgent cases)
Contacting your U.S. Senator or Representative many have constituent services that can help push things forward
Checking your online “My Social Security” account daily for any status changes

I really hope your application is processed soon so you can get the support you need❤️.

SummerOnTheWay1

📎 Yes Alexa @alexajame , per the posts ON THIS SITE.

[1] 4 to 5 months for approval.

[2] Like you mentioned - some people got "help" from their Congressperson.

[3] I will add this to what you said about CALLING them. People have "posted" - make an appointment to visit your LOCAL office to "check" on an ONLINE application = got approved.

Take care,

Nicole!

➡️[*** ALEXA

@alexajame wrote:
I’m so sorry you’re going through this, I know how stressful these delays can be😔.
Unfortunately, you’re right many people are now experiencing 2–3 month (or even longer) waits for retirement benefit processing. From what I’ve gathered, the main reasons seem to be:
Backlog from pandemic-related staffing shortages that still hasn’t cleared
System updates and modernization efforts slowing certain workflows
Manual verifications for some applications, even if records are complete
You might want to try:
Calling your local Social Security office directly (sometimes they can escalate urgent cases)

Contacting your U.S. Senator or Representative many have constituent services that can help push things forward
Checking your online “My Social Security” account daily for any status changes
I really hope your application is processed soon so you can get the support you need❤️.

A

alexajame

Contributor ⭐

Thanks for adding that info, Nicole🤗.
4–5 months is definitely longer than I expected, but it’s good to have a realistic timeline. I’ll also keep in mind the tip about making an appointment at the local office that might be worth trying if things don’t move soon.

SummerOnTheWay1

📎 [Monday 7/14/25]

(1) Anyone got approved this week?

(2) Anyone still waiting on approval?

Take care,

Nicole ‌👵‌ (Social Security Forum)

D

d504611w

Contributor ⭐

It's been 3 months for me and I still haven't received a response!

SummerOnTheWay1

📎@d504611w , from the posts on THIS SITE.

(1) Approvals within 4 to 5 months.

(2) Some people got help from their Congressperson.

(3) Some made an appt at their LOCAL office & got approved [was an online application].

I hope you get approved SOON!!!

Nicole!

@d504611w wrote:
It's been 3 months for me and I still haven't received a response!

R

RobertG887674

Contributor ⭐

Waited to claim until FRA which happened this month. Applied last FEBRUARY to have it start June 1.

Wasn't approved until the last minute in May. Still waiting. Supposedly first payment will now be six weeks after the requested date for FRA benefits and they automatically applied for Extra Help and are deducting Medicare part B premiums that I'd already paid and duplicating all that stuff I was pretty much forced to do at 65.

So seems they're having folks fired for no reason by D.O.G.E. also, but that's another rant.

For me, they're supposed to start payments a half year after I'd applied online and for less than I'm due. Letter received was apparently automated and has numerous mistakes but at least the US Post Office delivered that from thousands of miles away.

Good luck!

SummerOnTheWay1

📎 Robert @RobertG887674 , I hope you get your benefits SOON!!! I often wonder IF "Extra Help" will be around NEXT YEAR 2026. I am SO GRATEFUL for it as it pays my Part B premium for me I think here in Virginia. Lol, either way - State of Virginia is paying it. Take care!

G

GailL1

@SummerOnTheWay1

Extra help (that’s a Rx program) should be around - I don’t know of any reason that it would not be -

If your state (Virginia) your Part B premiums that is under the

Medicare.gov - Medicare Savings Program and “Extra Help” is tied to many of the categories.

Sometimes states allow more in eligibility standards that these minimum requirements that the Feds assign. States do this to cover more people in whichever program. The State when times are tough with their budgets might then reduce these higher limits of eligibility but never more than what the Feds have listed as the minimum requirements. (the ones in the Medicare link above)

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