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.

[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 

[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. 🤗 

[SummerOnTheWay1]

📎  [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...🙂 @SummerOnTheWay1 

[bobhudak]

I applied for regular ss on 12/9/24 with a check expected in April. Still on step 2 but I made a phone appointment for my wife who will move from her benefit to spousal benefits when I collect. I was told that on her call 3/25/25 they would be able to check my benefits to give her the correct amount. Wish me luck!!

[rolocedoc]

Hi! I just want to say this direct to the point, no matter what situation we are in, Social Security will not make you, me or anyone else a top priority - we all are treated to get our retirement benefits in a timely manner due to the volume of claimants. I worked part time with The Franchise Tax Board at the height of the pandemic and we get tons of letters, forms to process by the hundreds and less workforce to handle the processing, we have to be patient, it will come straight to your bank account if you set up direct deposit, if not, a check will be mailed to you - while waiting for it - get a part time job, there's a lot of work from home for retired people - just be smart coz some would take advantage asking for a small fee and there's a lot of scammers prying on senior citizens coz they know we get fixed monthly benefits from Social Security - always be cautious - have a nice weekend

[MarkG766531]

 How long will the re-entry number allow you to get back into the social security application page after you have saved and exited? Is there a limit, or can you wait months to complete a started application?

[GailL1]

@MarkG766531 

I answered your question in your other post about it. 

https://community.aarp.org/t5/Social-Security/Re-entry-to-complete-started-Social-Security-Applicati... 

[MarkW495344]

After approval, things are moving fast on my end. The letter showing my benefit and first payment was on my account the day after approval, and my bank account also showed a test to make sure account information was correct. Now it's just a matter of making sure payments go through near as to when they should. Feels nice however to be out of the dugout and on to the field. 

[rolocedoc]

Hi - I guess mine was on the top of the file - I've just received a deposit in my account, I'm heading to the bank to get some cash and buy groceries for my family to enjoy - good luck to all! Have a nice day!

[MarkW495344]

I had a notice this morning that there was an update on my application, and when I went online, the needle had moved to step 3, marked as approved. A letter is being sent to me which will indicate my benefit, so now just waiting on that. It took 4 months and 1 week to alter, so I should have my benefit letter within 2 weeks. Hoping this alleviates fears for those still in the waiting process.

[rolocedoc]

Maam - I guess >  this - The website for Social Security used to say that it would take up to 30 days to process new applications for retirement benefits >  30 days processing time - is somewhat - deceiving! When I filed in August 2024 - it took 4 months to process my claim - and they gave me retro funds equivalent to 6 months - I guess they backdated it - from June to November, the check came in the mail, I've opened a bank account, and the rest are deposited straight to my bank. Now, that it is - again - delayed - they will do another retro from January to March or maybe till June - I'm just guessing, okay - it can happen, right? Xing my fingers - I'll check my bank account tomorrow.

[rolocedoc]

Those who rely on SS Benefits - if this is your only source to be able to buy food and pay bills, well, you need to find a part time employment while waiting for your $$$ gets deposited to your bank account or a check mailed to you - you'll starve if you don't find part time employment.

[rolocedoc]

To All - this was just posted - it's a wait and see!

Second round of March Social Security payments goes out in 5 days

[SummerOnTheWay1]

📎  [Monday 3/17/25] @rolocedoc , where was this posted?  🤔

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[*** @rolocedoc wrote:

To All - this was just posted - it's a wait and see!

Second round of March Social Security payments goes out in 5 days ***]

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[rolocedoc]

Hi - I guess mine was on the top of the file - I've just received a deposit in my account, I'm heading to the bank to get some cash and buy groceries for my family to enjoy - good luck to all! Have a nice day!

[GailL1]

It’s the regular schedule for benefit payments based on one’s birthday if on Social Security Benefits after 1997.

A regular schedule if for Supplemental Security Income or a mixture of  Social Security and Supplemental Security Income.  Or for those who get Social Security benefits if benefits were set up before 1997.

SSA.gov Schedule of Social Security Benefit Payments 2025 

See the bottom of the page for details.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

📎  [Monday 3/17/25] @GailL1 , I am NOT sure IF you were "answering" the question I had asked @rolocedoc or this is just one of your titbits to share?

Either way, @rolocedoc needs to provide links and sources for the information they posted.

THEY POSTED:

Second round of March Social Security payments goes out in 5 days.

Anyway, just wanted to "clarify" as you used the "reply" button on my post. This site is already a "hot" mess.

MY COMMENT: My Retirement Social Security does NOT go out in 5 days so have NO idea what or why this info was posted. Mine is direct deposited into my bank on 3rd of EACH month. Earlier IF a weekend or holiday is involved.

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[***@GailL1 wrote 3/17/25:

It’s the regular schedule for benefit payments based on one’s birthday if on Social Security Benefits after 1997.

A regular schedule if for Supplemental Security Income or a mixture of  Social Security and Supplemental Security Income.  Or for those who get Social Security benefits if benefits were set up before 1997.

SSA.gov Schedule of Social Security Benefit Payments 2025 

See the bottom of the page for details. ***]

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[rolocedoc]

This is good news, the wait time is shorter - from 5 days to 2 days! Let's be thankful to the Lord - Second round of March Social Security payments goes out in 2 days!!

[rolocedoc]

Everyone! It's a wait and see - we / I can not predict what's to happen in 5 days, so just relax, continue with your everyday life - wait and see!

[GailL1]

@SummerOnTheWay1 

I guess some news sites are just counting it down from 5-days to 2-days - just google the comment and it comes right up.

Second round of March Social Security payments goes out in 5 days

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/finance-and-economy/3348553/second-round-march-social-secu... 

[fffred]

When applying on the SSA website there is a small disclaimer as follows. "After you apply, you can expect a letter letting you know if your benefits are approved or if we need more information. If you apply early -- say two to four months before your chosen start month -- you should expect the letter towards the end of your chosen start month. Otherwise, you'll typically get it within 30 days of applying."

I haven't seen this information elsewhere. I was very annoyed myself when I applied for SS a few years ago and it "took forever". In my case, it seemed that the disclaimer above was not shown once the application was submitted (if I had even seen it in the first place). If I was presented with that disclaimer each time I checked my application's status I would have had better understanding of the process and I wouldn't have been so worried or annoyed. Now that we are planning for my wife's application I have seen this disclaimer and understood the process better.

The disclaimer explains a lot. If the application is submitted "early" (as per SSA, 2 to 4 months before your planned start) you are not gonna hear from them until near the end of your chosen start month. By definition, this means that an early applicant will be waiting for up to 4 months. This is regardless of that little blurb they show on My Social Security how your application is in progress and it seems like it's hung up forever.

Per the SSA (https://www.ssa.gov/ssa-performance/processing-time-benefits) about 85% of all old age applications are processed on-time. A pretty good record in my view. I suppose that, by definition, that includes those applications that were submitted early and did not get approved until up to 4 months later. Again, this seems reasonable because they tell us (see above) what they're going to do. 

I suspect that most people who wonder about their application are probably on the standard timeline and just need to be patient, waiting for that target date. 

[AnthonyA847984]

I don't understand the lack of communication. I applied on December 10th with the expectation of receiving my first check on or around March 19th (based on my birthday). It's been 107 days and they still have yet to make a decision. What could be possibly wrong? I've been calling and calling with no callback, a notification letter, or any information. Amazing when they want something, they give you a date and you BETTER get it to them by or before or else!!

[GailL1]

Did you say that you wanted your benefits to begin in March?  If so the SSA determines this to be your March benefit and since Social Security is paid one month in arrears, then that means they will pay the March payment in April.

That could be one of the reasons you haven’t heard anything - your benefit award letter isn’t sent out until right before your payment is scheduled to begin.  So, if the above explanation is correct, you should hear something in about early to mid April.  

This is the way it has always been - They work on new claims based on the month people want them to start with those at or over FRA 1st followed by those who are getting benefits early.

If you haven’t heard anything about needing more info - you can just wait for your letter of benefits - check you online acct because it will probably show up there before you get it in the mail.

One other thing - Have you already set up your Medicare benefit if older than 65?