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.

[TheresaB17788]

Ridiculous system.  I applied December 14, 2024 - am still stuck in step 2 in February 2025.  Worse, I applied for Medicare at the same time and my 65th birthday has come and gone.  I cannot apply for supplemental insurance until I can prove that I applied for Medicare A&B - which is pending along with my social security application.  Was told "You have to give us at least 90 days/" WHAT??? Where does it instruct applicants that they need that amount of lead time to process an application?? Just crossing my fingers that I do not have any health issues until they eventually finish whatever they are doing.

[ThomasA906503]

I applied for retirement benefits on October 13 ( I am FRA) for my start month of February.  I have yet to hear from SS and am currently stuck on step 2 of 3.  My supposed representative is in Baltimore.  And I live in Philly.  

[GailL1]

@ThomasA906503 

Your delay is a big question - FRA, applied in plenty of time, etc.  unless there is something else going on - but they should have notified you if they had questions or documents.  

I assume that you had reviewed your earnings statement and it seemed correct.  I assume that you gave them all your info like the bank/account to send the payment.  That you are a citizen and worked in this country.  I assume you are applying for your own benefits and not another type under another number holder.  I assume that you have never withdrew your application from an earlier filing where benefits had to be repaid before being set back up.

If you don’t hear something soon you might call your most local SSA office and set up an appointment to review your application and see what the holdup might be.  

[JayneC904223]

I just received notification that my SS application was processed for approval yesterday. November 7, 2024-February 18, 2025 wait time.

[Tmgcme196361]

Such a blessing for you. I'm glad. But so many others, including myself are still waiting. I put in for mine October of 2024. My birthday has come and gone. It's sad really. 

[DougG933039]

My timeline: 

Applied on Dec. 1, 2025. 62nd Birthday on March 19 and am also stuck in step 2. 

[GailL1]

@DougG933039 

Your problem is that you are not of age yet to get your benefits - you have to be 62 for an entire month before you are even consider to be eligible.  

SSA.gov - Starting Your Retirement Benefits Early 

So to be 62 for the entire month - your retirement month would be April 2025 and since benefits are paid (1) month in arrears - your would get your 1st benefit amount in either April or May depending on where your birth day lands on the calendar.

Here is the calendar of payment dates is 2025 - based on the birthday code at the bottom of the calendar.  

SSA.gov- calendar of benefit payments 2025 

[SusanR428528]

unexpectedly received phone call from Social Security (!!!) saying she was calling in response to one of the ss workers recently putting my application back to the beginning of the line because I supposedly wrote an email saying something that triggered that response.  All I had done was emailed ssa asking why my application was stuck in stage 2.  This woman from ssa on the phone was very nice, said she put my application back to the status it should be at, and said that since I applied to start on March 1 my application would be completed during the last week of February.  She also said sometimes it takes 60 days, not 30 days. I just said ok, thank you.  

[fffred]

@SusanR428528   A bit eye opening. Did that worker set you back punitively? If so I am surprised they could do that. And if so they should be reprimanded.

[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 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.