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.

[GailL1]

@AlecH217824 

It all depends on

• the complexity of the application and their SS record.  
• what benefit they are applying for - Retirement can include Spousal and also any auxiliary benefits if they filed for them too.
• if the application is filled out correctly

The instructions say you can file an application for retirement benefits up to 4-months before you want your benefits to start.  Sure some of the very easy ones can be completed earlier even as early as 30-days. By easy I mean those who are filing their retirement at their FRA or after and everything is in order and all they have to do is put the application in the queue and wait until the benefit month is approaching and trigger the payment once they have validated the bank account.

So to your specific one - are you at or over FRA or are you applying for early benefits - if early, make sure that you do not try to file any further away than that 4-month period cause you will never get a retirement application to come up - the system will continue to try to give you a disability application which is all someone that is not yet 62 can file for -

What month did you put down on your application that you wanted your benefit to begin?  SS benefits are paid one month is arrears - thus if you put down May then your benefit will be paid in June based on the SS benefit calendar shown below.

If you apply for a month they cannot meet in timing or they miss your month due to an extraordinary number of applications coming in or complications with your application, you will get back benefits to the date you wanted to start for up to 6-months earlier.

There are many baby boomers filing for retirement - huge numbers of them - some at FRA, some up to 70 years old but many are filing early out of necessity - financial or otherwise. Like I said, if there is a delay, you will still get your benefit and most likely in the amount that you indicated the month you wanted to start.

The legend for the calendar is on the bottom left.

[Winter2025VA]

Yikes Alec @AlecH217824 , 6 to 9 months!!! From the posts on this site, it has been about 4 to 5 months. And one person had visited their "local" office to check on their "online" application = approved. I hope you get approved soon. Take care, Nicole  👵

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➡️[*** Alec wrote on Friday 5/9/25:

I emailed them to say I submitted my application 2 months ago, how long will the delay be? They replied: "Please note that all applications submitted online are worked in a “first come – first served” basis. The current message indicating that the processing time is of a few weeks is, unfortunately, incorrect and should not be taken into account. The current wait time between the submission of an application and its review by our office is approximately 6 to 9 months." So...there you have it. It's going to be a loooong wait! ***]

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[jh42032384]

I applied online via My Social Security on Feb 4 2025 after delaying until turning 70 (May 2025).  Since then, when I check online application status all I get is the message:

"We are working as quickly as possible to process your application. If we require additional information, we will contact you."

 Now I regret waiting until turning 70.  Should have applied before the Trump/Musk/Doge fiasco.

[GailL1]

@jh42032384 

I am sure that since you have waited all this time (until 70) that you want every single delayed retirement credits that are due to you at this point.  If you do not turn 70 until May then you will get your 1st benefit in June since the benefits run one month in arrears.  So the auto deposit you get in June is the May benefit and it should contain your FRA benefit + all of your DRC.

Your deposit will be based on your birth day of the month - this is the SSA calendar for paying 2025 benefits - the legend is on the bottom left of the calendar - it will tell you which Wednesday of the month your auto deposit will arrive at your financial institution based on your birth day.

Check your online Social Security account to stay up to date on any posting of your benefit letter.  It will be posted there before you get it in the mail.  The benefit letter is step 3/3 and usually does not post until right before you are set up on the schedule to get the benefit - you can tell what Wednesday in June you are suppose to be set up for it based on the calendar - the 2nd, 3rd or 4th Wednesday in June - so a couple of week before your schedule date based on the calendar.

[jh42032384]

Hi Gail,

Thank you so much for the thorough and thoughtful reply.  Much more comprehensive and detailed than the phone conversation with SS Customer Service (after waiting over an hour).

Since my birthday is In the last week in May, I'm assuming I won't see the posting of the benefits letter until later this month or early June.  

Thanks again,

John

[GailL1]

@jh42032384  - You are most welcome, John.  

Happy Retirement !! 

[Winter2025VA]

@jh42032384 , from the posts on this site, 4 to 5 months to get approved. One person had visited their "local" office to check on their "online" application = approved. I hope you get approved soon. Take care, Nicole  👵

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➡️[*** @jh42032384 wrote on Thursday 5/8/25: I applied online via My Social Security on Feb 4 2025 after delaying until turning 70 (May 2025).  Since then, when I check online application status all I get is the message:

"We are working as quickly as possible to process your application. If we require additional information, we will contact you."

 Now I regret waiting until turning 70.  Should have applied before the Trump/Musk/Doge fiasco. ***]

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[SiamakG261678]

I applied first week of Jan 2025.  No response as of today.  The DOGE cuts have significantly impacted Social Security, leading to the closure of 10 Social Security offices, which affects beneficiaries' access to essential services. Concerns have been raised about potential interruptions in benefit payments due to these cuts, with fears that the changes could disrupt services for millions. Additionally, there are ongoing investigations into how these cuts, pushed by the Department of Government Efficiency, are crippling the Social Security Administration.

[sc14513381]

Yep, I applied back at the beginning of the year, and my account just shows that it’s being ‘reviewed’ in an office in northern California (I live in L.A., but originally hail from San Francisco, so the irony isn’t lost on me, given the old rivalry between north and south in this state). I can’t get through to SS - after a couple of hours, I just have to hang up the phone. Showing up at a local office is apparently not a great idea - they’re overwhelmed and can’t help, according to others who have done this in my area. I have to wonder if I’ll ever get my benefits.

[Winter2025VA]

@sc14513381 , someone just posted that their Congress Person helped = approved. Also, 4 to 5 months for approvals per posts on THIS SITE. Hope you get approved soon. Take care, Nicole  👵

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➡️[*** @sc14513381 wrote on Monday 6/2/25:

Yep, I applied back at the beginning of the year, and my account just shows that it’s being ‘reviewed’ in an office in northern California (I live in L.A., but originally hail from San Francisco, so the irony isn’t lost on me, given the old rivalry between north and south in this state). I can’t get through to SS - after a couple of hours, I just have to hang up the phone. Showing up at a local office is apparently not a great idea - they’re overwhelmed and can’t help, according to others who have done this in my area. I have to wonder if I’ll ever get my benefits. ***]

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[Lynn1355]

  I applied January 30th, for the month of January, and I have not heard back. The message on my page says they are working on my application as fast as they can, and if they need more information they will contact me. I was eligible for full retirement a couple of years ago but held off.

[GailL1]

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@Lynn1355 wrote:

  I applied January 30th, for the month of January, . . . . 

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That maybe part of your problem - it is impossible to do this - maybe they are trying to figure out what you were trying to do.  Social Security benefits are paid one month in arrears.  

Maybe you should go ahead and make an appointment at your local offices to discuss your application and what you were trying to do.  You can cancel the appointment at the local office if you hear something from SSA before the appointment.

[Winter2025VA]

Lynn @Lynn1355 , from the posts on this site, 4 to 5 months for approval. Someone had mentioned visiting their local office to check the status of their "online" application - was approved. I hope you get approved soon. Take care, Nicole  👵

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➡️[*** Lynn wrote on Wednesday 5/7/25:  I applied January 30th, for the month of January, and I have not heard back. The message on my page says they are working on my application as fast as they can, and if they need more information they will contact me. I was eligible for full retirement a couple of years ago but held off. ***]

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[FaridS883142]

I applied online   on 02/25/2025 I got approved yesterday 05/07/2025, I am Eligible

 for full retirement May 2025

[Winter2025VA]

CONGRATS Farid @FaridS883142 !!!  🙃  Take care, Nicole  👵

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➡️[*** Farid wrote on Wednesday 5/7/25:: I applied online   on 02/25/2025 I got approved yesterday 05/07/2025, I am Eligible

 for full retirement May 2025. ***]

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[KarenP967985]

Same. I applied on Jan. 27, 2025, requesting benefits to start May 1. Haven't heard a word. 

[GailL1]

@SiamakG261678 

Are you at or over your Full Retirement Age?  What month did you put down you wanted your Retirement benefits to start?  Social Securtiy benefits are paid one month in arrears.

There are a huge number of baby boomers applying for benefits at the current time - some have planned this other seem to be in a panic for whatever their reason.  It has been 3 months a long time now it is maybe 4 depending on a beneficiary’s situation.

Your source on the office closings ?  And which offices are you referencing as closed?

This is the latest general info on this subject.

SSA.gov last updated on 04/18/2025 - Correcting the Record about Social Security Office Closings  

You can easily check which, if any, of the offices are closed temporarily or moved to another location by accessing this SSA site which gives updates,

SSA.gov Office Closings and Emergenies 

Please make sure you are using up to date info, reliable sources and according to the AARP guidelines state your source.

The AARP.org Online Community Guidelines 

Cite your sources

We encourage members to use online resources in their discussions. But please be sure to cite your sources and give credit where it is due. You may link to and summarize cited sources but may not copy entire articles or videos into your post. False and misleading information is also prohibited.

[Winter2025VA]

Siamak @SiamakG261678 , was your local office closed? Mine here in Virginia is still open. From the posts on this site - 4 to 5 months for approval & some folks got approved after visiting their local office to check on their "online" application. Take care, Nicole  👵

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➡️[*** Siamak wrote on Friday 5/2/25: I applied first week of Jan 2025.  No response as of today.  The DOGE cuts have significantly impacted Social Security, leading to the closure of 10 Social Security offices, which affects beneficiaries' access to essential services. Concerns have been raised about potential interruptions in benefit payments due to these cuts, with fears that the changes could disrupt services for millions. Additionally, there are ongoing investigations into how these cuts, pushed by the Department of Government Efficiency, are crippling the Social Security Administration. ***]

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[Winter2025VA]

[Saturday 4/19/25]

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.

Any UPDATES to share anyone?  🤔

Take care,

Nicole  👵

[rwilkin481]

Applied January for March start, told my benefits would start April 9th. Approved but still no check.

[Winter2025VA]

@rwilkin481 , I am assuming you provided your bank info for a "direct" deposit? Who told you April 9th - the website or a human?

Take care,

Nicole  👵

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➡️[*** @rwilkin481 wrote on Tuesday 5/6/25: Applied January for March start, told my benefits would start April 9th. Approved but still no check. ***]

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[CourtT434995]

An update on my application for social security benefits: On 2/26/25 I applied online for my benefits.  Immediately received an email indicating my application date and a 30 day estimate for benefits approval.  I knew it would last longer given all the changes being made at SSA. The email referred me to My Social Secuity online account where it also gave me some detail about which office was processing my appllcation and which phase of the process I was in.  On 4/22/25 I received an email stating my appication had been approved and when the first direct deposit of funds would be made. 

Question for whomever: I began Medicare (Parts A and B) several years ago (when I was NOT drawing SS income)  and have been paying my monthly premium "out of pocket".  Now that my SS income is kicking in, can anyone tell me at what point does my monthly Medicare premium start being deducted from my SS payment? I dont' want to continue making the out of pocket payments AND having the premium be deduted from my SS payments.  I do receive a hard copy monthly statement up until now.  Does SS or Medicare send a letter, etc., telling me I no longer have to make the out of pocket payments, or how does that work?  Many thanks!

[GailL1]

@CourtT434995 

For your question on your Medicare premiums - ASK AARP

AARP.org - Ask Your Question Here  

I am sure they will have an answer.

[JeanneF312002]

I applied in February and I am still stuck at stage two of three. It has been almost 2 months. I should be getting my first check on May 1, but that clearly isn’t going to happen short of a miracle.

[CathleenP349019]

Did yours get approved yet? I applied 3/2; to start 5/1 and haven’t heard anything still stuck on 2 of 3. Thanks

[GaryD808407]

My wife applied for spousal benefits in March and we still haven't heard from Social Security.  Her My SS account showed the application was stuck at step 2 of 3 in the Richmond office.  She finally called Social Security and found that she needed to go into an office to provide proof of identification and certification of marriage.  No one from Social Security ever contacted her to let her know the additional documentation needed to process her application.  Hopefully something will change now.

[GailL1]

@GaryD808407 

Just to make sure

1.  You are already drawing Social Security benefits.  Right?

2.  Your wife is aware that if she turned 62 After Jan. 2016, that when she files for one benefit it is deemed that she is applying for any of her benefits and she will be paid the higher benefit amount - this would be either Spousal benefits or her own benefits.  

[GaryD808407]

Yes to both of your questions.  My wife was a professor at a community college.  She did not pay into Social Security and her pension previously made her not eligible for spousal benefits.  However, with the recent changes in the Social Security Fairness Act made her eligible to receive spousal benefits from my Social Security.  That's why we applied for the benefit in March.  Never expected to take over four months to get an answer on her eligibility.

[Winter2025VA]

Gary @GaryD808407 , thanks for stopping by & fingers crossed things move forward QUICKLY!!! Take care, Nicole!

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@GaryD808407 wrote:

My wife applied for spousal benefits in March and we still haven't heard from Social Security.  Her My SS account showed the application was stuck at step 2 of 3 in the Richmond office.  She finally called Social Security and found that she needed to go into an office to provide proof of identification and certification of marriage.  No one from Social Security ever contacted her to let her know the additional documentation needed to process her application.  Hopefully something will change now.

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[CathleenP349019]

When approved I know SS mails a letter, but do most people receive an email asap? Just wondering since I look at the site, thinking why look it email would be sent… any information would be appreciated!!! Thanks