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.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

📎  Lisa @LisaD929052 , per the posts on THIS SITE.

(1) About 4 to 5 months to receive 1st benefit payment.

(2) Someone got approved after visiting their local office to check on their "online" application.

(3) Another person says contacting your Congress Person helps.

Good Luck,

Nicole  👵

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[*** @LisaD929052 wrote 4/10/25:

I applied on 2/1/25....the date my application was received....and am also stuck on step 2 as of 4/10/25. ***]

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[LisaD929052]

Thank you!!

[KimberlyG35865]

Me too. I applied Jan 30 - still no word

[CourtT434995]

I completed my application for "basic social security" income benefits on 2/26/25.  I immediately received an automated email acknowledging receipt from SSA of my application and gave me a application reference number and a phone number in the Denver Colorado office where my application is being processed. Logging into my social security website , it hows I am through Step 2 of the applicatio proocess.Although SSA website says to expect 30 day processing of the application to make a determination and receive a letter (not for the actual funding to begin, ie, deposits into my desiginated bank account), I am waiting another month before callng the number in Denver. With all the confusion, etc. with the SAA, and staffing issues, I suspect they are way behind in processing applications of any type.

[GailL1]

@CourtT434995 

Your benefit payment will be scheduled to be be paid on your birth Day - per the SSA benefits calendar show below.  The legend in at the bottom of the page.

Banks may post the payment or show it pending a few days before the WEDNESDAY that is shown here as your payment date.

Unless SSA needs something from you, you will not be contacted until a few weeks before your benefits start;  A benefits payment letter will be posted on your my socialsecurity account and also mailed to you but you probably won’t see the mailed one until after you have gotten the 1st benefit.  That’s it - no welcoming letter, no other notice - Your 1st benefit payment is actually Step 3/3 - 

You did not say when your requested your benefit month to begin - since benefits are paid one month in arrears - it will be paid the month after your selected benefit month and based on the SSA Pay Benefits Calendar

[CourtT434995]

I indicated, when I completed my application for basic social security benefits, that I wanted my benefits to begin in April 2025.  As I mentioned in my initial post, I applied and my official application is dated 2/26/25 per SSA emails to me.  I have not heard anything from them in about 6 weeks now.

How long should I expect to wait to hear from SSA that my benefits have been approved, and then how much longer until my first benefit payment is direct depositied into my bank account, given that I selected April 2025 as my benefit start date?

[GailL1]

@CourtT434995 

Read this page - especially what is on the bottom of the page; highlighted in blue.

SSA.gov - More Info - When To Start Benefits 

If you put down April as the month you want benefits to begin - your 1st benefit will be paid in May since benefits are paid (1) month in arrears. 

The actual day that your payment will be credited to your bank account is the WEDNESDAY that correlates with your birth DAY based on the 2025 SSA calendar link which I gave in my post or it is again linked on the SSA page that I am referencing with this post - the embedded link at the end of the blue highlighted information.

You will get a letter in the mail and posted on your mySocialSecurity account a few days before the 1st payment post to your account.  (or after if you go by the mailed one).  

[CourtT434995]

Thanks so much for your help with all these SS related issues.  I've found no where in my internet research the many answers you all have provided.  Makes my membership with AARP even more valuable.  One last question, I hope:

I am already enrolled in Medicare Part A and B and Medicare bills me monthly for my premium payments since I am not presently drrawing SS income benefits. Since Medicare and SSA are "affiliated" with each other (ie, Medicare premium payments are automatically drawn from your SS benefits), do you think the fact that I"m already approved and enrolled in Medicare might enable my approval for SS benefits to go eny faster?

[GailL1]

@CourtT434995 wrote

Since Medicare and SSA are "affiliated" with each other (ie, Medicare premium payments are automatically drawn from your SS benefits), do you think the fact that I"m already approved and enrolled in Medicare might enable my approval for SS benefits to go eny faster?

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NO - they will just  correlate the two and hopefully your Part B premiums will be deducted from your 1st benefit check.  This May payment for the April SS benefit would be paying your Part B premiums for April - If that is an overpayment of what you have already paid, they will send you a refund.  

[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.

[maryd666163]

Your information was very helpful. I wonder if you know the answer to this: I am not at fra, I'm applying at 62, I applied about 6 weeks ago with an April start date requested. 

Assuming it may still be months before I find out, will I get payments retroactive to April when they finally begin? 

Thanks for your time!

[rolocedoc]

The main important part of it is - you have filed, I don’t know what FRA is but I waited 4 months, a check came in the mail, deposited to my bank after 3-5 business days, I was notified by the bank; I’ve activated my debit card, and wallah, started using it to pay/buy food, pay bills, and will wait for the next deposit to arrive. While waiting, I’m getting a part time, so do the same - good luck! It will come. 

[GailL1]

@maryd666163 

Since you are less than FRA and since Social Security benefits are paid one month in arrears, you will get your 1st payment in May and this will be your April benefit.  In June your will get your May payment of benefits . . . . and so on.

Your payment is scheduled to be be paid on your birth Day - per this calendar.  The legend in at the bottom of the page.

Banks may post the payment or show it pending a few days before the WEDNESDAY that is shown here as your payment date.

[maryd666163]

Thanks Gail... I was just looking and seeing so many people that never heard by the date they wanted their payments to start, so if that were the case, I'm just wondering if the months from April (with a May payment start date) would be paid retroactively if I too am waiting past the time my payments were to begin.

[GailL1]

@maryd666163 

There is NO retro payment for those less than FRA applying for retirement benefits.  However, based on the month you wanted to start your benefits, (April) you should receive it right on time in May.  You will get your approval / benefit award letter a week or so before the payment is made. This is standard.   The letter will show up online faster than if you are waiting for the mail to get it to you.  

[maryd666163]

That's exactly what I was wondering in regard to retroactive payments and, frankly, the answer I was expecting.

[rolocedoc]

For the meantime while waiting, report to work, earn some money for your family, pay bills, buy food, your benefits will come with no specific time. 

[maryd666163]

Oh, goodness, I'm still working. I love what I do! I just will have much more money when I'm 70 than I do at 62 and have chosen to start my SS benefits early.

I'm aware of  all of the implications of starting at 62, but it's best for me.

[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.  

[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.