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.

[PennyS519419]

I asked to start it the day i applied.  Dec 27th 2024

[GailL1]

Are you less than your full retirement age?  If 62 and you wanted early retirement, when did you turn 62?

[Winter2025VA]

Penny @PennyS519419 :

It seems 4 to 5 months for approval from the posts on this site. And stopping by a local office to check on "online" application has worked for some.

Take care,

Nicole  👵

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➡️[*** Penny wrote on Thursday 5/1/25: I applied Dec,27th 2024 and I'm still waiting. Today is May 1st 2025 4 months and still stuck on 2 out of 3. ***]

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[skaziak3]

I applied in November for a Jan 1 benefit date. SSA delayed my application until December. (not sure why) my application has been stuck on step 2 of 3 since 12/19/24... I call and I am told "you've done all that you were supposed - we are still reviewing. In the meantime, I have to pay my medicare premiums out of pocket..... very frustrating.

[Winter2025VA]

[Tuesday 4/8/25]

@skaziak3 that is awful!!!  😤  From the posts on this site, 4 to 5 months seem to be the usual time for approval. Someone had said contacting your Congress person may help. Hope you get approved SOON. Take care, Nicole  👵

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[*** @skaziak3 wrote 4/8/25:

I applied in November for a Jan 1 benefit date. SSA delayed my application until December. (not sure why) my application has been stuck on step 2 of 3 since 12/19/24... I call and I am told "you've done all that you were supposed - we are still reviewing. In the meantime, I have to pay my medicare premiums out of pocket..... very frustrating. ***]

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[rolocedoc]

You're lucky if you still have a part time job, it will take some time, just be patient, it will come in a check in the mail or direct deposit if you gave them your account information. Have a nice day!

[HelenM736559]

I applied 01/13/2025 to start payments immediately (yes, I know that payments are one month later).  Over full retirement age and this is for spousal benefits.  My husband (also over full retirement age) applied in Nov and his started on time in January.  My app is showing as having been received on 01/13/2025 and is on step 2.  Almost 3 months now!!  

[HelenM736559]

Wanted to update on my post.  I found the number for local SSA office and called twice ... second time was today.  I got a call back, was asked a few questions, they spoke to my husband as well, and now all approved with benefits to being deposited in May, along with 3 months of back pay!  When you apply online, it goes to one of the few offices in the country that processes online applications.  They got it transferred to my local office (I saw that change when I checked earlier) and then they called me. She did say 90 days was way too long and there was nothing in my applications that should have held it up.  So .... try to find the number to your local office if you applied online!  

[rolocedoc]

Sir / Madam: I have been posting it - just keep your part time jobs, don't stress yourself too much in the expectations that it will arrive early coz it will not - the more you get mad to something that we can't do about - definitely IT WILL COME - either direct deposit to your accounts - make sure you have a bank account and you have given this to your SSA office branch in your location - NO MORE PAPER CHECKS IN THE MAIL. Good luck, be patient.

[Winter2025VA]

Helen @HelenM736559 , that is GOOD news!!! Take care, Nicole  👵

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[*** @HelenM736559 wrote 4/14/25:

Wanted to update on my post.  I found the number for local SSA office and called twice ... second time was today.  I got a call back, was asked a few questions, they spoke to my husband as well, and now all approved with benefits to being deposited in May, along with 3 months of back pay!  When you apply online, it goes to one of the few offices in the country that processes online applications.  They got it transferred to my local office (I saw that change when I checked earlier) and then they called me. She did say 90 days was way too long and there was nothing in my applications that should have held it up.  So .... try to find the number to your local office if you applied online! ***]

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[GailL1]

@HelenM736559 

Probably just a bit delayed since they have to verify that your (1) your husband is already getting benefits and with the close proximity of his benefits beginning in Jan.2025 and your application in the same month they had to check to make sure.

(2) They also have to review your husband’s file, in the event that you are gonna be getting a benefit based on his file.  Here they would check if anybody else is drawing off his file like any disabled or dependent children or X-wives since the family maximum would apply.  

(3) Then they have to make sure which benefit is greater for you - your own benefit or your spousal benefit.  So that you are getting the higher amount.

So there are a few more reviews to your benefit than just for a normal (own benefit) calculation since you are applicable for both and get the higher amount.  

So yes, your benefit with this additional reviews would take longer than the normal 30 days but you should get get any backpay if any from the month you wanted your benefits to begin.  I assume that would have been Feb., payable in March.  So maybe a (1) month pay date delay.

[Winter2025VA]

[Monday 4/7/25]

Helen @HelenM736559 from the posts from others on this site, it seems to be 4 to 5 months for approvals. Good luck, Nicole  👵

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[*** @HelenM736559 wrote 4/7/25:

I applied 01/13/2025 to start payments immediately (yes, I know that payments are one month later).  Over full retirement age and this is for spousal benefits.  My husband (also over full retirement age) applied in Nov and his started on time in January.  My app is showing as having been received on 01/13/2025 and is on step 2.  Almost 3 months now!!  ***]

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[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. 

[Winter2025VA]

[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.

[LisaD929052]

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

[Winter2025VA]

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!!

[Winter2025VA]

Lisa @LisaD929052 , you are welcome!!! Take care, Nicole  👵

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[*** @LisaD929052 wrote 4/10/25:

Thank you!!  ***]

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[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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