AARP Online Community and Discussion Forums - Huge delays in Social Security processing new reti... - Page 3

CatherineP879665 · ‎04-14-2023

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.

Spring2025 · ‎03-16-2025

[Sunday 3/16/25] @fffred , when I applied back in 2020 BEFORE the pandemic was OFFICIALLY here (stuff started to SHUT DOWN March 2020 I think) - all went well. 👍

I am SO GLAD it did.

I feel so bad for those still WAITING with NO idea WHEN they will receive their 1st payment. NOT all seniors are in a financial position to survive this wait.

Take care,

Nicole 👵

[*** @fffred wrote:
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. ***]

joyn424973 · ‎03-15-2025

I called in January, got appointment in February, so now I’m told approval will be several months and I have no income

Spring2025 · ‎03-15-2025

[Saturday 3/15/25] @joyn424973 , I am SO SORRY to hear this!!! 😤

Another poster had suggested the following. Maybe it might work for you.

➡️ @JeffreyA826398 WROTE:
‎Calling or emailing your local congressional representative's office and asking for help is effective. They have power to push things through. It also alerts government reps of the delay issues.

Good Luck,

Nicole 👵

[*** @joyn424973 wrote:
I called in January, got appointment in February, so now I’m told approval will be several months and I have no income. ***]

rolocedoc · ‎03-15-2025

Apply for unemployment benefits or apply to part time jobs - there's a lot!

rolocedoc · ‎03-15-2025

There's a link on AARP to apply to jobs -

15 Part-Time Jobs for Retirees (No Degree Required!)

rolocedoc · ‎03-15-2025

Apply for unemployment benefits or apply for part time jobs - there's a lot!

JohnC728129 · ‎03-12-2025

Wife went from applying to receive her first payment in 23 days. Try going through your local SS office and do a phone application.

LeesaT353220 · ‎03-13-2025

Which regional office processed her claim? Mine is "being processed" in the Chicago office and it's been more than 3 months.

JeffreyA826398 · ‎03-08-2025

Because of the changes caused by the passage of the recent Fair Social Security Act (passed end of 2024) there are many new eligible applicants. Plus the SS admin is having to go back and amend current recipients whose benefits were increased due to the acts passage. This includes figuring increases retroactive to 1/1/20024. Many of these adjustment are for the millions of teachers, firefighters, police officers and spouses ineligible for retirement benefits due to past provisions in the laws prohibiting or lowering benefits a person from receiving both a local government pension and SS retirement benefits.

MarkW495344 · ‎03-08-2025

I noticed that a lot of the news sites are basically copying and pasting the same articles over and over with the current date rather than the original date of the article in regards to issues at the SSA. This doesn't seem to have a purpose other than to cause panic with recycled articles, which is understandable for people who have been waiting 5 months. My status remains pending just under 4 months in, one week past my 62nd birthday. I do not expect a payment until April 9th and hopefully a letter beforehand. I don't plan on calling SSA until later in April, and am fortunately solvent through the summer. But it is frustrating to not get answers and have to budget necessities to hold out for a conclusive resolution. That, along with possible inflation due to Tarif's, does cause concern.

If you have grocery stores with great specials or discount food establishments (as I do), stock up! I'm hoping not to have to resort to applying for SNAP, but will if I have to. Fortunately there are lots of resources for seniors, and many of them are state controlled rather than federal. I just wanted to provide a bit of hope for others in the waiting stage, and look forward to reading about positive resolutions with notifications of approval and consistent payments going through.

Spring2025 · ‎03-08-2025

[Saturday 3/8/25] Mark @MarkW495344 , with time these resources will be depleted IF folks DO NOT receive their 1st RETIREMENT Social Security soon. In my state, alot of these resources are from grants that are NOT being renewed way BEFORE all the drama with 2025 cutbacks. Good luck with getting yours and thanks for sharing with us.

YOU WROTE: Fortunately there are lots of resources for seniors, and many of them are state controlled rather than federal.

Take care,

Nicole 👵

TammiB17510 · ‎03-07-2025

So glad it isn't just me 🙂 I applied December 13 so next week will be 90 days. Someone from some Social Security office called my cell about 3 weeks ago but didn't leave a message and unfortunately I was away from my phone. I tried to find out who called, but the main SSA number couldn't/wouldn't help - just said "oh, if it was important I'm sure they'll call back". LOL - my "step 2" reviewer in Federal Way Washington was probably one of the 7,000 fired.

Spring2025 · ‎03-07-2025

[Friday 3/7/25] Tammi @TammiB17510 , NO pressure to respond. Someone posting here had said after visiting their LOCAL office to check on their ONLINE application, they were APPROVED. Any thoughts on this? Thanks, Nicole 👵

[*** @TammiB17510 wrote:
So glad it isn't just me 🙂 I applied December 13 so next week will be 90 days. Someone from some Social Security office called my cell about 3 weeks ago but didn't leave a message and unfortunately I was away from my phone. I tried to find out who called, but the main SSA number couldn't/wouldn't help - just said "oh, if it was important I'm sure they'll call back". LOL - my "step 2" reviewer in Federal Way Washington was probably one of the 7,000 fired. ***]

TammiB17510 · ‎03-07-2025

Yes thank you - I was thinking exactly the same. I plan to wait until the 90 days passes next week and then make an appointment with my local office.

JamesP590429 · ‎03-12-2025

Good luck getting an appointment. I called in first thing every morning for four days straight and did not get a call back from the phone queue at all during the first three days. About 6 hours into day 4, I did get the call back and the person I spoke to was kind, intelligent, respectful and helpful in at least determining that the reviewer was not waiting on any information from me. I was told that she could not process an appointment for me, though, as it had only been 60 days. My local office will not see you without an appointment scheduled over the phone.

Spring2025 · ‎03-06-2025

[Thursday 3/6/25] Catherine @CatherineP879665 , you STARTED this discussion in April 2023 & I am NOT finding any UPDATES after that for you. NO pressure to respond - did you FINALLY start receiving your payments? I hope so! Take care, Nicole 👵

[*** @CatherineP879665 wrote 4/14/23:
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.***]

CindyJ284326 · ‎03-04-2025

Same here, in Seattle WA. My husband and I both put in our applications for retirement benefits to start in February 2025. We hav been stuck in the dreaded “step 2 of 3” stage for nearly three months now, no change, I login and check every day and nothing changes. I just tried calling to check on it and see if I need to supply any more data, called the generic 800 number, and was on hold with a very pleasant BOT who kept repeating “your call is important to us”, for 6 hours, when I finally gave up and hung up the call.

GailL1 · ‎03-04-2025

@CindyJ284326

You do know that if your told them in your application to begin Feb. 2025 - that they interpret this to mean your benefit for Feb.

Social Security is paid one month in arrears - so your payments should start in March 2025 when you will be paid for Feb. 2025

Your benefits will be paid based on this calendar -

SSA.gov 2025 Calendar of Benefits Payments

Now that is if you are of Full Retirement Age (FRA) - if less than your FRA then there are additional rules if you are going to continue to works - the income cap.

RobertR246740 · ‎02-28-2025

same here with me. I just turned 70 February 16. Fortunately I am still working and October 24th I put my application for retirement benefits online. I did it online. Somewhere around December I started checking and it said it was in Step 2 of 3 in the Jamaica NY office. Now February 28th, 127 days later and the last time I was able to log in it was still in the same spot. Now for the last 2 days every time I try to log in it says I can't at this time, so I don't know what it says.

I feel for you and hope they get you processed soon as I understand that you are not working and after 47 years of paying in, now need that to survive.

GailL1 · ‎02-28-2025

@RobertR246740

Remember, Social Security benefits are paid one month in arrears.

I assume you wanted benefits to start when you hit 70 to maximize all the delayed retirement credits. If that is true, you should get your 1st benefit check for February around March 19, 2025 - the third Wednesday of the month per the payment calendar, as long as your benefit calculation is as simple as you said in your post.

SSA.gov - Payment Calendar 2025

You will probably get a letter confirming this, shortly before your benefits hit your account via automatic deposit. With you not being able to log in gives me the hint that it is taking place currently and they have access to your account for the update.

Let us know when you hear something or you check your bank account on or around March 19 for your benefit deposit.

Happy Retiring !

ChuckJ552870 · ‎02-27-2025

For what it's worth....

https://www.ssa.gov/ssa-performance/processing-time-benefits

JaniseS619527 · ‎02-26-2025

My husband applied for SS retirement benefits in October 2024, and his application is being processed by the Jamaica, NY office. He was 66 and 8 mos. as of January 30, 2025. As of today his application is still stuck on part 2 of 3. Getting a bit nervous. Nothing unusual in his employment history, so that shouldn't be causing a delay. And heaven forbid you could actually call someone at the Jamaica, NY office and get an answer other than "it's being processed." Anyone else encountering a 4 month delay with an application being processed by the Jamaica, NY office?

Tmgcme196361 · ‎03-07-2025

I applied back in October as well, and it's now been 4 months. However, my app was sent to Baltimore, Maryland? I see a lot that were sent to Jamaica NY...🤔 *Just curious*

Still waiting (sitting on step 2 of 3...sheesh.

I applied Oct. 27th 4 months prior to my 62nd birthday - (Feb. 2nd) I have nothing yet. Crickets...😒

GailL1 · ‎03-07-2025

@Tmgcme196361

SSA.gov- Starting Your Retirement Benefits Early

Note this statement on the link: 3. You must be at least 62 for the entire month to receive benefits.

So the 1st month that you could receive benefits would be in April - that would be for the March benefit since the benefit is paid one month in arrears.

IF you are being approved for Social Security Retirement, and you meet all the other eligibility requirement, then your benefit should arrive on the second Wednesday in April or 04/09/2025.

SSA.gov - Calendar of Benefits 2025

Also keep in mind that if you are retiring at LESS THAN FULL RETIREMENT AGE and are still working, the amount you make will have an influence on how much you will get or even if you get any at all - depending on how much over the earnings cap you might be.

SSA.gov - Receiving Benefits While Working

Tmgcme196361 · ‎03-07-2025

Thanks Gail. Everything is in order as far as eligible requirements. I do work a minimal p/t job just to keep my head above water, if you will.🙂 without even getting close to my cap. Thanks so much for this info. I appreciate you. Have a blessed day

Spring2025 · ‎03-07-2025

[Friday 3/7/25] NO pressure to respond. @Tmgcme196361 , someone had posted here that visiting their LOCAL office to ASK about their ONLINE application had speeded things up = APPROVED. What are your thoughts on this IF you have one? Thanks, Nicole 👵

[*** @Tmgcme196361 wrote:
I applied back in October as well, and it's now been 4 months. However, my app was sent to Baltimore, Maryland? I see a lot that were sent to Jamaica NY...🤔 *Just curious*
Still waiting (sitting on step 2 of 3...sheesh.
I applied Oct. 27th 4 months prior to my 62nd birthday - (Feb. 2nd) I have nothing yet. Crickets...😒 ***]

Tmgcme196361 · ‎03-07-2025

Hi Nicole, I believe it depends on the area you live in and State. I'm in Harrisburg PA and my app was sent to Baltimore Maryland. And I remember taking my mom to our local Social Security office and the waiting was just long. However, it could depend on the time of the day that you go I went early morning and it was packed. I've even attempted to call and they told me the wait would be over 3 hours long 190 minutes. I was choosing not to sit on the phone that long. Nonetheless I'll wait and see what happens this month. And if nothing comes of it this month I will then attempt to go to the local office begrudgingly haha... I will keep you and others informed just like I've been seeing here on this thread and see how it goes.

JeffreyA826398 · ‎03-08-2025

Calling or emailing your local congressional representative's office and asking for help is effective. They have power to push things through. It also alerts government reps of the delay issues.

JamesP590429 · ‎03-12-2025

This really has not been effective either. I filled out their confidentiality forms and submitted a request for information to me US Representative and both Senators a few weeks ago. I have yet to hear from two of them, and got a call from the third's office in which they stated they can't do an inquiry for another couple of months.

Spring2025 · ‎03-07-2025

[Friday 3/7/25] Yes, please update when you can @Tmgcme196361 !!! Now to hope they DO NOT close your LOCAL office if/when you decide to visit. Also, here in Roanoke (VA), they use to give out appointments. That was awesome. I just walked in, checked in and saw employee, then home. Happy Dance. Good luck and thanks for sharing with us. Nicole 👵

[*** @Tmgcme196361 wrote:
Hi Nicole, I believe it depends on the area you live in and State. I'm in Harrisburg PA and my app was sent to Baltimore Maryland. And I remember taking my mom to our local Social Security office and the waiting was just long. However, it could depend on the time of the day that you go I went early morning and it was packed. I've even attempted to call and they told me the wait would be over 3 hours long 190 minutes. I was choosing not to sit on the phone that long. Nonetheless I'll wait and see what happens this month. And if nothing comes of it this month I will then attempt to go to the local office begrudgingly haha... I will keep you and others informed just like I've been seeing here on this thread and see how it goes. ***]