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.

[rharcum]

I'm in about the same time frame but have not yet gotten an approval.  Did they tell you if they would provide retro-pay all the way back to the date of your application?  Or do you lose out on that money because of their delay?

[JayneC904223]

I guess from what I have read, the payments actually start the month after your requested start date…I don’t know why? I requested a start date of January 1, 2025.  Much to my shock, as I was just notified of my approval, there was a deposit in my banking account today. So, technically I am still within the month after my initial request date…so no retro there. I’m not sure about retro, but knowing the government and their loopholes, I wouldn’t count on any retro, but I could be wrong. My application was processed in Jamaica, NY. This whole process has been very stressful….waiting and waiting. Hopefully your benefits will be processed soon and you can put the ordeal behind you…the best of luck!

[GailL1]

@JayneC904223 

Social Security benefits are always paid one month in arrears.  The payment you say you got today 02/19/2025 -  (the 2nd Wed. of the month) is for your January 2025 benefit.

Here is the calendar for 2025 as to when benefits are paid out based on your birth day of the month.  See the bottom code area of the calendar for the description of when and what types of benefits.

SSA.gov - 2025 Calendar Schedule of Benefit Payments 2025 

[fffred]

@rharcum  If for some reason your application is not processed and approved before the month for which you requested benefits to commence (specified in the application) they will pay the months "back pay". (Of course, if the application is not approved for  some reason, this doesn't apply.)

In any case, the money will never be lost. If for some reason your benefit wasn't given until 6 months, for instance, after your selected month, your actual benefit for the new month would be greater than that for the missed target month. The benefit would increase either because it's not going to be dinged as much if taken prior to your FRA, or if it's after your FRA then you'll get some delayed retirement credits and a larger monthly benefit.

Of course, some people may be counting on the cash and would prefer the back pay so they have that cash they were counting on, not some slightly-higher monthly benefit.

Good luck!

oh, yes. I recall now that my application had my age 70 as my target. The SSA missed approval for this month and I did not get a payment for the following month. However, I got a lump sum back pay for the month or two that had been missed. I was just looking at that last night; I've now been collecting about 3 years.

[kb6376]

I know why. Social security workers don’t get paid well enough and when new people are hired and find out how complicated the work is they quit!  I work with these folks in my job every day and since the threats to government workers has picked up more, I’m being asked if MY OFFICE is hiring!   They aren’t paying enough to attract and retain agents. Until that changes, be prepared to wait. 

[BalbonisMoleskine]

Two of my relatives work for the SSA in one of the local offices. The pay is the main reason why they will stay until retirement.  

[fffred]

People rise to their level of comfort and competence. Some like the routine and security of government office work. And don't aim higher.

[LarryF544725]

This topic has been very useful. Thank you all for your contributions.

I applied in January for FRA benefits in April.

Mine is a very simple straightforward application too.

Based on what I am hearing, all I can do is wait... for now.

[LarryF544725]

... Also, I will keep checking my SOS account for any updates.

"Possible" next step is to contact my local SOS office for help.

[LarryF544725]

Continuing to check my SOS account...

I noticed this new message on my SOS application status screen,

"We are working as quickly as possible to process your application."

[LarryF544725]

I requested a replacement SOS card and in two weeks my new card arrived in the mail. It was fantastic to see it. Someone, somewhere at the SOS office took care of me! Still waiting on my SOS benefit request...

[LarryF544725]

I just received my notice that my SOS benefit application has been approved!!! Time to celebrate. Still a few hurdles left but everything is on schedule. I will keep monitoring things. 

[Winter2025VA]

Congrats Larry @LarryF544725 !!!  🙃  NO pressure to reply - Did you apply online? How long ago? Did you stop by your local office? Take care, Nicole  👵

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➡️[*** Larry wrote on Thursday 5/1/25: I just received my notice that my SOS benefit application has been approved!!! Time to celebrate. Still a few hurdles left but everything is on schedule. I will keep monitoring things. ***]

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[LarryF544725]

I applied online in mid-January 2025. I received my approval letter from SOS. I never had to visit my local Soc Security office. I'm continuing to watch my SOS activity to make sure everything happens on schedule.

[LarryF544725]

Still watching my Soc Sec account closely.

Soon it will be time for my spouse to apply for SocSec benefits. 

My application took 3.5 months to approve.

Let's see how things go this time! I expect a similar experience.

[Winter2025VA]

Congrats Larry @LarryF544725 !!!  🙃  Take care, Nicole  👵

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➡️[*** Larry wrote on Friday 5/16/25:

I applied online in mid-January 2025. I received my approval letter from SOS. I never had to visit my local Soc Security office. I'm continuing to watch my SOS activity to make sure everything happens on schedule. ***]

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[LarryF544725]

I requested my replacement SOS card using the SOS website.

[rolocedoc]

Hi - what's this SOS card and please share the website - thanks

[rharcum]

I applied in November for my full retirement benefit to begin in January. The application has been stuck at step 2 of 3 since December 5th. No explanation why. No way to check. I callled (which took hours waiting in the cue) but the agent didn’t know anything.

They are effectively refusing to pay me my Social Security benefits by not processing my application.

Guess he lied when he said Social Security would not be cut.

[DinaF996403]

Nobody lied … I applied Oct 25, 2024 under a different gov admin. Still waiting. No one on phone can tell me anything after holding for 2 hours. What is alarming are the millions being paid out to obvious deceased (140 + year olds! And non citizens being enrolled for disability SSI who shouldn't qualify!) 

next step is to go to local SSA office. 

We’ll see what happens

[kd5546]

No benefits are being paid to 140 year olds. There are deceased people in the system because they may have dependents collecting on their records, but the simpler explanation is that it’s very expensive to clean a few names out of a database, and it risks messing up actual payee records. Better to just mark them and leave them. Database admins understand this 

[GailL1]

@kd5546 That is true - they may be still listed on a data base because the death record is missing but they aren’t getting benefits.

Did you know that if a beneficiary is getting their benefits as expat living in another country - a country that is approved - that they are required every 2 years to fill out what I deem to call “ the still alive form”  and after their age hits 90, they are required to fill this form out every year - If they don’t, their benefits are stopped until proof of life is received.

Just one of those checks and balances of the SS system.  Those who aren’t citizens getting a benefit have to actually physically come to the states for verification of a stay.  I would have to look up the process on that one - 

[RobynA790783]

I applied November 1st with benefit to begin in January.  I actually heard from my Social Security technician last Monday.  Based on my birthday, I will receive my first Social Security check the 4th Wednesday of the month (check for Feb is for Jan benefits).  Sounds like they are processed based on when you want to start benefits, not when you applied.  Hope 

this helps.

[SusanR428528]

I applied 12/24/24 to start on 3/1/25 and I'm stuck in stage 2, it's being processed in Jamaica, NY.  The site says it will take 30 days but I haven't heard anything at all.  

[dejanata]

My husband applied in June of 2024. Crickets.

[GailL1]

@dejanata

Applying is just a process - the details that make the difference is what program did he apply for and did he fit all the eligibility needs.  If he has heard nothing since June 2024, it might be time to call you local office and make an appointment to find out what is the problem.  

[WebWiseWoman]

Based on my experience in 2017, I'm not sure this is terribly late; with the new elimination of staff, that will probably change.

Perhaps SS will be eliminated; we'll wait and find out...

[TheGaff725]

What elimination of staff? No one has been let go from SS! However, I predict many more government run agencies, (not affected at all) will use DOGE as a new excuse for everything under the sun.

[YasuhikoO731354]

Washington Post reports "Social Security Admin under instruction to cut staff in half; GSA says terminations there are imminent." 2:34 PM · Feb 26, 2025

[KellyM957174]

Not true. 14% cut