Trying to figure out when to begin receiving 100% benefits

[ClydeW378371]

 I was born the first week of May in 1958. According to SSA, I can start collecting 100% of my benefits January of 2025--66 & months is when I qualify for 100%. When I put in the date to start collecting my benefits, should I state January 2025 as the start date or February 2025? I don't want to start it a month early and be stuck with less than 100%.  I'm sure this question has been addressed before many times, but I'm not finding a post that directly answers my question.

[Tonster521]

@ClydeW378371 I am trying to past it again since I was able to access the article on a second try https://tucson.com/business/social-security-and-you-benefit-starting-date-confusion/article_8efa6bed...

[Tonster521]

@ClydeW378371 This is a follow up to my earlier reply. I tried to copy and paste an article from the Arizona Star at Tucson.com that addressed your question. I was able to view it earlier, but now they want to sell a subscription for $1.00. If you google - SS Benefit start date confusion- you should receive a number of articles. FYI, the Arizona Star was first on the search results. You can review all the others for the same info.

[Tonster521 · Accepted solution]

@ClydeW378371 Your question has been asked from time to time. Some folks misinterpret the concept of applying for (starting) benefits with the act of receiving an actual payment. Payments may be delayed for a variety of reasons (i.e., verify birth record, missing earnings, etc.). For folks born in 1958, Full Retirement Age (FRA) is attained at age 66 years 8 months. So, if you were born in May 1958, you attain FRA in January 2025. The SSA should have plenty of time (generally 6 weeks) to process your application if you submit your application in October or November 2024. With regard to your comment about being stuck with less than 100% of your PIA, have you reviewed the math concerning reductions? FYI, SS Benefits are reduced 5/9 of 1% (approximately .00556) per month if that is the only month (period of time) you are calculating. That is $5.56 per $1,000 of SS Benefits. So, for someone with a $2,500 SS Benefit, the reduction is $13.90 ($2,500 X .00556). That means if you were paid one month early, you would receive about $2,486 (rounded) instead of $2,500. However, you are receiving an extra $2,486. So, it would take about 15 years at the $2,500  benefit to recoup that extra $2,486. Thereafter, you would be "stuck" with less than 100% of your PIA. If you are not working, I suggest you look at various other early starting dates unless there is a compelling reason for starting at FRA. FYI, I found an article from an internet search that addresses starting SS Benefits https://tucson.com/business/social-security-and-you-benefit-starting-date-confusion/article_8efa6bed... 

[ClydeW378371]

 Meant to ask--if I wish to start my benefits in January 2025, should I get my application October 1 2024?