Social Security start date

[Kenneth in Texas]

My sister is turning 62 first week in january, she has decided to take her SS early, she signed up in late october I believe. She called and said she got a letter that says her first payment will begin the first week of march, a full 2 months after her birthday. Is this normal? I was under the impression they started on your birthday or even perhaps 30 days later, but 60 days after her birthday? normal or is something wrong?

 

[Opti-Mist]

There may be no rhyme nor reason. Example: my wife started collecting SS. Some years later SS decided that they had been overpaying her and required thousands of dollars to be repaid. Did that and her reduced payment began. About a year or so later SS decided that she had been underpaid, made up the underpayment and increased her monthly to an amount greater than the original. Its now about the same elapsed time so we are kind of waiting for another "upon review" letter. Go figure.

 

[PHPaul]

My birthday was in late October, got my first check in December.

 

[George2615]

I retired in April and signed up online 2 weeks before I retired. There is a section for starting date and you can set that date for 30,60, or 90 days from signup. She may have clicked on 60 days for a start date. I postponed my starting payment for 90 days because I had a separate work paycheck for unused vacation and sick time. I wanted to postpone till Aug. or Sept. but 90 days was the max. I received my first payment the last week of July. The letter I received says my payment will come each month within a week of your birth date (in my case Oct. 28th) meaning if your date of birth is the 28th your check will come around that time every month. It does not start on exactly your birthday.

 

[Oldtink]

yes. She doesn't qualify for benefits the month of her birthday and they are always a month behind in payment as I remember.

 

[Kenneth in Texas]

and of course you cant call them and ive found no logical answers on their web site, but 2 months after her birthday? wonder if she will get back pay or is this just the way the social security gods work?

 

[boomer1025]

My sister is turning 62 first week in january, she has decided to take her SS early, she signed up in late october I believe. She called and said she got a letter that says her first payment will begin the first week of march, a full 2 months after her birthday. Is this normal? I was under the impression they started on your birthday or even perhaps 30 days later, but 60 days after her birthday? normal or is something wrong?

.
Yes it's normal. I retired June 10th and SS started July 1st, my first check was in mid-August which was for July.

 

[/pine]

and of course you cant call them and ive found no logical answers on their web site, but 2 months after her birthday? wonder if she will get back pay or is this just the way the social security gods work?

That delay is normal...but your sister should have received some correspondence that included the phone numbers and extension of the agent that filed her claim...I have found them very accommodating...you usually get voicemail and have to leave a message but they have always returned my calls...

 

[windy acers]

birthday 1st week of may. applied march 1. first check 2nd week of july. FELT BROKE EVER SINCE!!!!!

 

[TnAndy]

Got my first check with a note "Can you hold this until next Monday ?".........