When to apply for social security

[BtW751689]

With all the recent changes to government programs like social security, I thought maybe it was time to start my social security form since I am eligible for max in 5 months.  I attempted to do what I could online only to hit a block when the site decided I was invalid.  So I made an appointment to speak to a human in person today and was told it was not working because I was applying too early.  It is a four month window so I was told to apply in August for a December start (first payment January).  Furthermore I was told that even if you apply 4 months ahead your application will sit until it is closer to that magic month.  And yet nowhere on this SS site did it suggest that the reason I could not get started was because I was applying too early.  Any ideas on this?

[cf5552]

Apply for Social Security disability when you have stopped working at Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) which means earning at least $1,620 per month in wages (gross) - and you have a physical or mental condition that will last for at least 12 straight months and is severe enough to keep you from working.  If you apply while still working at SGA level, Social Security will issue a technical denial.

[GailL1]

@cf5552 

Yes, the rules for Social Security Retirement and Disability (SSDI) are completely different.  As so for Social Security Retirement when you are filing for it earlier than full retirement age -

Once a beneficiary has reached their full retirement age or after (70), they can draw their full retirement benefits AND keep working, earning as much as they can or want.  

[GailL1]

@BtW751689 wrote:  

“ I thought maybe it was time to start my social security form since I am eligible for max in 5 months“

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Four (4) months out from the benefit month you want to begin is the system’s limit to file for Retirement benefits.  Social Security agents cannot change that - it is how the benefit system is set up.  Yep, all they could do is hold your application from now to August and then begin the claim.  

If you want your 1st benefit to be auto deposited in January 2026, put down December as the month you want to begin your benefits.  Social Security benefits are paid (1) month in arrears.  Then your benefit will be auto deposited based on your birth-DAY that corresponds to this benefit calendar.  The legend to determined which Wednesday of the month your benefit will be paid, see the legend on the bottom left of the form.

SSA.gov - 2026 Benefit Schedule Calendar 

Initiate your application in August - that would be (4) months from your December benefit start month. The (4) month rule on filing for benefits is pretty much everywhere on the SSA website.  

SSA.gov - Your Retirement Checklist 

I hope when you said “max” that you are meaning at 70 so you will reap all of your delayed retirement credits but if you mean at Full Retirement age - that’s great too.

Happy Retirement.

[BtW751689]

The irony is that you can go online and do this and that which I did but then when I tried to put in the start date (I guess it assumes if you apply now you want it now) the page would not advance.  Hence having to make an appt in person as well as proving my identity which I did, they sent me an email indicating my ID was accepted but then when I tried to log on to do the next step it said my ID was invalid.  And add to that when they sent me the letter in the mail for my appt they sent me two identical letters except for their numbers so I worried that they had two accounts for me, upon checking today the agent said I was ok and there was only one account yet I get two letters.  No one can answer anything anymore.  And yes waiting for max at 70.

[Winter2025VA]

@GailL1 , I get my Retirement Social Security on the 3rd (or before IF 3rd is a holiday/weekend). I notice in your responses you refer to WEDNESDAYS. Yes, at age 62 to 65, it was the 3rd Wednesday. Then it seems MEDICARE changed that to the 3rd at age 65. Take care, Nicole!

[GailL1]

@Winter2025VA 

Your benefit is paid on the 3rd of the month because NOW your state’s Medicaid is paying for your Part B premiums as part of the Medicare Savings Program - They just keep them all together this way.  

If that ever changes, your benefit will go back to the [whatever] Wednesday.  

[Winter2025VA]

Got it @GailL1 , thanks. Nicole!