How long does it take to get first Social Security check after applying?

Asked by: Dr. Caroline Ferry  |  Last update: February 9, 2022
Score: 4.6/5 (64 votes)

Once you have applied, it could take up to three months to receive your first benefit payment. Social Security benefits are paid monthly, starting in the month after the birthday at which you attain full retirement age (which is currently 66 and will gradually rise to 67 over the next several years).

How long does it take to begin receiving Social Security benefits after applying?

Typically, it takes 6 weeks to process your application and for the benefits to start. However, it will take longer if you submit incorrect information. Also, the duration for approval will depend on the number of submissions the Social Security Administration (SSA) will be processing at the time.

Is first Social Security check for 2 months?

Key Takeaway. For Social Security income, the youngest age when you can apply is 61 years and nine months old. You would then receive your first Social Security check four months later—the month after your 62nd birthday.

Is your first Social Security check retroactive?

If you've already reached full retirement age, you can choose to start receiving benefits before the month you apply. However, we cannot pay retroactive benefits for any month before you reached full retirement age or more than six months in the past.

How do I find out when I get my first Social Security check?

Your birthday generally determines your monthly payment schedule:
  1. If the birthday is between the first and the 10th day of the month, the benefit payment arrives on the second Wednesday of each month.
  2. If the birthday is between the 11th and the 20th, the payment comes on the third Wednesday of the month.

How long will it take to get my benefits after I am approved?

42 related questions found

Is it better to take Social Security at 62 or 67?

You can begin collecting your Social Security benefits as early as age 62, but you'll get smaller monthly payments for the rest of your life if you do. Even so, claiming benefits early can be a sensible choice for people in certain circumstances.

Do Social Security benefits start the month of your birthday?

Social Security benefits are not prorated. They start the month following the birthday. ... For birth dates from the 21st through the last date of the month, recipients will have to wait until the fourth Wednesday of the month that follows the birthday.

At what age is Social Security no longer taxed?

At 65 to 67, depending on the year of your birth, you are at full retirement age and can get full Social Security retirement benefits tax-free.

Is it better to apply for Social Security online or in person?

Most claims are done online these days.

You really don't have to apply for benefits in person anymore. Just go to www.ssa.gov and click on the “retirement” box for retirement, spousal or Medicare claims. ... Other experts agree that online is the best way to apply for Social Security.

Is Social Security getting a $200 raise in 2022?

The 2022 COLA increases have been applied to new Social Security payments for January, and the first checks have already started to hit bank accounts. This year, the highest COLA ever will be applied to benefits, with a 5.9% increase to account for rampant and sudden inflation during the pandemic.

How much does Social Security increase each year you wait?

You'll get an extra 2/3 of 1% for each month you delay after your birthday month, adding up to 8% for each full year you wait until age 70. The clock starts ticking the month you reach full retirement age. For example, if you were born on April 24, you'd reach your full retirement age on April 1.

What is the Social Security payment schedule for 2022?

This is when you can expect your payments to hit each month: If your birth date is on the 1st-10th: Second Wednesday of each month. If your birth date is on the 11th-20th: Third Wednesday of each month. If your birth date is on 21st-31st: Fourth Wednesday of each month.

How much money can you have in the bank on Social Security retirement?

The Social Security Administration (SSA), which operates the program, sets different (and considerably more complex) limits on income for SSI recipients, and also sets a ceiling on financial assets: You can't own more than $2,000 in what the SSA considers “countable resources” as an individual or more than $3,000 as a ...

How long does it take to get Social Security card for newborn?

A: On average, it takes about four to five weeks from the time you apply in the hospital until you receive your child's Social Security card in the mail.

How long before my 66 birthday should I apply for Social Security?

You can apply up to four months before you want your retirement benefits to start. For example, if you turn 62 on December 2, you can start your benefits as early as December. If you want your benefits to start in December, you can apply in August.

What is the average Social Security benefit at age 62?

The question is, what can the typical retired worker expect to receive from Social Security at age 62? According to payout statistics from the Social Security Administration in June 2020, the average Social Security benefit at age 62 is $1,130.16 a month, or $13,561.92 a year.

How do I apply for Social Security for the first time?

You can apply:
  1. Online; or.
  2. By calling our national toll-free service at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visiting your local Social Security office. ...
  3. If you do not live in the U.S. or one of its territories, you can also contact your nearest U.S. Social Security office, U.S. Embassy or consulate.

How soon before you turn 70 can you apply for Social Security?

When to apply if you're turning 70

The earliest you can file for Social Security is four months before you want your benefits to start. Regardless of when you file, make sure you specify that you want your benefit to begin the month you turn 70 to get the maximum amount.

Can I retire at 55 and collect Social Security?

So can you retire at 55 and collect Social Security? The answer, unfortunately, is no. The earliest age to begin drawing Social Security retirement benefits is 62. ... Once you turn 62, you could claim Social Security retirement benefits but your earnings from consulting work could affect how much you collect.

Can I work full time at 67 and collect Social Security?

When you reach your full retirement age, you can work and earn as much as you want and still get your full Social Security benefit payment. If you're younger than full retirement age and if your earnings exceed certain dollar amounts, some of your benefit payments during the year will be withheld.

Is it better to take SS at 66 or 70?

As you undoubtedly already are well aware, most financial planners recommend that—so long as you can afford to do so—you should wait until age 70 to begin receiving your Social Security benefits. Your monthly payment in such an event will be 32% higher than if you begin receiving benefits at age 66.

Are taxes taken out of Social Security checks?

Nobody pays taxes on more than 85 percent of their Social Security benefits, no matter their income. The Social Security Administration estimates that about 56 percent of Social Security recipients owe income taxes on their benefits. ... The IRS has an online tool that calculates how much of your benefit income is taxable.

Is Social Security paid a month behind?

We pay Social Security benefits monthly. The benefits are paid in the month following the month for which they are due. For example, you would receive your July benefit in August.

How long does it take to apply for Social Security Online?

We have an online retirement application that you can complete in as little as 15 minutes and from the comfort of your home or office. In most cases, once your application is submitted electronically, you're done. There are no forms to sign and usually no documentation is required.

Why retiring at 62 is a good idea?

Reason #1: Retire Early if You Want to Stay Healthier Longer

But not all work is good for you; sometimes it's detrimental to your health. Retiring at 62 from a backbreaking job or one with a disproportionately high level of stress can help you retain, or regain, your good health and keep it longer.