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

[CatherineP879665]

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.

[r803761p]

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!

[LaurieP213525]

I I also applied for retirement benefits in February.  I just got a letter on the SSA website account saying that they had received my application but they haven't finished processing the claim and cannot tell me whether or no benefits will be payable. 

[Spring2025]

[Wednesday 4/2/25]

Laurie @LaurieP213525 , I hope you hear something soon. From the posts on THIS SITE, it seems approval (receipt of 1st payment) occurs 4 to 5 months. Take care, Nicole  👵

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[*** @LaurieP213525 wrote:

I I also applied for retirement benefits in February.  I just got a letter on the SSA website account saying that they had received my application but they haven't finished processing the claim and cannot tell me whether or no benefits will be payable. ***]

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[DonnaM319834]

Me too! SS received my application on 2/4/2025 and continues to be stuck on step 2. When will I be approved? My husband applied when Biden was in office and it took 30 days.

[GailL1]

@DonnaM319834wrote:

Me too! SS received my application on 2/4/2025 and continues to be stuck on step 2. When will I be approved? My husband applied when Biden was in office and it took 30 days.

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see my post further down this same thread marked as 

GailL1Honored Social Butterfly

‎04-02-2025 10:54 AM  addressed to:  @r803761p 

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So what month did you pick for benefits to begin?  Retirement benefits?  Early before FRA or at or over FRA?

[rolocedoc]

I've waited 120 days - 4 months, but a check came in the mail after that long wait! Just keep yourselves busy and don't be impatient - it will come.

[BalbonisMoleskine]

What a wonderful system! 😍 You spend decades being forced to pay into a system and then have to jump through hoops to get some money. 

Imagine being in your twenties or thirties and being asked to pay even higher taxes to sustain such madness. 

[Tmgcme196361]

It took five months for me. I applied October 27th 2024 and it finally moved from step 2 of 3, to being approved March 25 2025. My back payment came two days later and will receive payments the 2nd Wednesday starting this month (April). Be encouraged. 🙂

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@r803761p wrote:

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!

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[rharcum]

Five months for me.  I applied for my FRA benefit in November. My first monthly payment is scheduled to happen in a few weeks.  It was a frustrating process being stuck at step 2 for months.  Nobody could tell me how long it would take.  I had multiple phone conversations and even an in-person meeting.  My application initially went to the Baltimore office and was eventually moved to Philly.  That's when progress happened. A few weeks ago, I got a phone call explaining my back pay options and then got the official letters in the mail telling me I was approved.  My back pay deposit happened pretty quickly, and I am hopeful the monthly deposits will start for me on the 4th Wednesday this month.  Hang in there!

[rolocedoc]

Hi I've filed in August last year, waited 4 months, the guy from SSA processed it right away and gave me a retroactive funds equivalent to 6 months, mailed me a check of $5,000; instead of ' crying over spilled milk' due to the ongoing delay, I am getting a part time work - to be on the safe side, be able to put food on the table and pay little bills - life goes on!

[GailL1]

@rolocedoc 

Yes, that can happen for several reason - and they can go back 6-months even if you are want a back effective date and you are eligible.  

[GailL1]

@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.  

SSA.gov- Schedule of Social Security Benefit Payments 2025 

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.

[quidduo]

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!!!!

[BarbaraC285100]

II just left IRS after 20 years, because of all the 'DOGE' changes. IRS still uses COBOL. And being under Congress' continual scrutiny, we'd get pulled off one thing and thrown onto another, putting fires out, so to speak. It's not the fault of the workers, it's constantly being redirected by upper management. I never want to answer a phone again. As for my Social Security and federal pension, I applied online March first, and the SSA site DOES still say 30 days. When looking for info on the web, you have to state 'old age retirement benefits' because, as you see, otherwise it defaults to disability. Good luck, to all of us! There are currently MANY more claims! I wasn't planning on retiring for a while...

[GailL1]

Yes, @BarbaraC285100 , I have followed the budget request of the Social Security Commissioner every year since 2008 and every year they include and really talk up system changes and modernization.  Then they may get some money for it appropriated but then something else happens and it gets spent elsewhere or they delay and decide against it.  

Personally, I think they are afraid of modernizing the system cause it is really a pain to do with such a large program an all it’s many tentacles.  Yes, it may cause some turmoil but that’s where backups come in - but often our government, except for the DOD, doesn’t pay for the best to undertake such a chore.  

[Spring2025]

[Wednesday 4/2/25]

Barbara @BarbaraC285100 , thank you for helping us out over the years & ENJOY your retirement. You deserve it!!! Take care, Nicole  👵

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[*** @BarbaraC285100 wrote 4/2/25:

II just left IRS after 20 years, because of all the 'DOGE' changes. IRS still uses COBOL. And being under Congress' continual scrutiny, we'd get pulled off one thing and thrown onto another, putting fires out, so to speak. It's not the fault of the workers, it's constantly being redirected by upper management. I never want to answer a phone again. As for my Social Security and federal pension, I applied online March first, and the SSA site DOES still say 30 days. When looking for info on the web, you have to state 'old age retirement benefits' because, as you see, otherwise it defaults to disability. Good luck, to all of us! There are currently MANY more claims! I wasn't planning on retiring for a while... ***]

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[GailL1]

@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 - 

[maryostrem]

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.

[JamesL772796]

Washington Post is reporting

"

The Social Security Administration website crashed four times in 10 days this month because the servers were overloaded, blocking millions of retirees and disabled Americans from logging in to their online accounts. In the field, office managers have resorted to answering phones in place of receptionists because so many employees have been pushed out. Amid all this, the agency no longer has a system to monitor customer experience because that office was eliminated as part of the cost-cutting efforts led by Elon Musk.

And the phones keep ringing. And ringing.

The federal agency that delivers $1.5 trillion a year in earned benefits to 73 million retired workers, their survivors, and poor and disabled Americans is engulfed in crisis — further undermining the already struggling organization’s ability to provide reliable and quick service to vulnerable customers, according to internal documents and more than two dozen current and former agency employees and officials, customers and others who interact with Social Security."

[ChristopherG582289]

The OP's complaint about processing times taking 2-3 months is dated April 14, 2023, seven months before Trump was elected, 10 months before DOGE was in place. It doesn't sound like that 'customer experience system' is doing much good. The SSA is a classic example of a sclerotic federal bureaucracy with no incentive to improve.

It's time to think outside of the box. It may be too late for you and me but if every dollar given to SS by myself and my employers had instead been conservatively invested it would be worth about $2 million dollars at my FRA. Do you think you (or your heirs) are ever going to see that kind of return from those monthly stipends?

[KarenF958848]

I applied on Feb 2, 2025, with an expected begin date of April 1st, thinking this would be gracious plenty time to receive my first SS deposit.  I’ve had my final Federal FERS Supplement upon my birthday last month, and now am extremely concerned about making ends meet, as I have a little part-time job, but am a caretaker for two severely handicapped parents, so cannot work more hours.  I am at my wit’s end and a nervous wreck. I plan on going to out local SSA office in town this week. I sure hope this helps. An insight?

[GailL1]

@KarenF958848 

If you wanted retirement benefits to begin for the month of April since Social Security pay one month in arrears most likely your benefit will come to your in May with your birth day determining the date it will be auto deposited (although some banks put them in earlier than the date shown by a day or so.

Here is the calendar and the legend is shown on the bottom of the page.

SSA.gov - Schedule of Social Security Benefit Payments 2025 

[Spring2025]

[Wednesday April 2, 2025]

Karen @KarenF958848 , were you able to visit your local office?  🤔

YOU WROTE: I plan on going to out local SSA office in town this week. I sure hope this helps. An insight?

Take care,

Nicole  👵

[DonnaM319834]

WOW! We have the SAME story! Still waiting...and taking care of my parents. Money is beyond tight. 

[DonaldD413774]

My wife retired 4/21/25 and applied for benefits the 2/3/25 for her benefits to begin 4/1/25. In checking the website all it indicated was in process. She called their number in the morning after 30 days. The wait on hold was about an hour. When someone finally came on all they could tell her was that her application looked in order and was in process. She was  told that processing time was typically running 60 days and she should see something around April 5th. 

[GailL1]

Social Security benefits are always paid a month in arrears.  

So if she chose April as her beginning benefit month, her 1st benefit will come in May.  

The date a benefit is paid depends on the calendar which SSA has established and is dependent on her actual DAY of birth.  (see the bottom of the calendar for what the codes mean)

SSA.gov - Schedule of Social Security Benefit Payments 2025 

For retirement benefits, SSA works on the claims

(1) based on the month selected for benefits to begin in the application 

(2)  then by the age of the applicant with those at Full Retirement Age given 1st priority

(3) benefits are paid a month in arrears and the date of the payment goes by the beneficiary’s DAY of birth - this corresponds with either the 2nd, 3rd or 4th Wednesday of the month. 

Second Wednesday 1st – 10th

Third Wednesday - 11th – 20th

Fourth Wednesday 21st – 31st

(4)  Different pay dates for those with Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and also those who are receiving a Medicare Savings Program that is linked to Medicaid.

If you received Social Security before May 1997 or if receiving both Social Security & SSI, Social Security is paid on the 3rd and SSI on the 1st

(5)  A benefit award letter will be received shortly before the 1st payment hits the bank account - usually.  The benefit letter will be posted on the beneficiary’s Social Security account and then it should also come by snail mail too.

[Tmgcme196361]

Finally great news

After waiting 5 months, I checked my SS website, and finally moved off of step 2 of 3 to see that my application was approved today (3-25). Praise God. 🤗 

[Spring2025]

[Tuesday 3/25/25] That is GOOD NEWS @Tmgcme196361 !!!

Any advice/tips for folks GETTING READY to "apply" for their RETIREMENT Social Security Benefit? Take care, Nicole  👵

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[*** @Tmgcme196361 wrote:

Finally great news

After waiting 5 months, I checked my SS website, and finally moved off of step 2 of 3 to see that my application was approved today (3-25). Praise God. 🤗  ***]

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[Tmgcme196361]

Thank you...🙂 @Spring2025