When should I apply for Social Security when I turn 66 and 4 months?

Asked by: Catalina Padberg  |  Last update: February 9, 2022
Score: 4.5/5 (44 votes)

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.

Does Social Security start the month you turn 66?

If you set benefits to begin at full retirement age (FRA) — 66 and 2 months for people born in 1955, 66 and 4 months for people born in 1956, and gradually rising to 67 over the next several years — your first payment generally will arrive in the month after you attain that age.

Does Social Security start on your birthday or birth month?

Social Security benefits are not prorated. They start the month following the birthday. The schedule, according to AARP, follows this rule: When the birth date falls between the 1st and 10th of the month, the payment is issued on the second Wednesday of the month following the birthday month.

How do I apply for Social Security at age 66?

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

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).

What's the Best Age to Claim Social Security 62, 66, or 70?

26 related questions found

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.

When should I apply for Social Security when I turn 66 in 2021?

If you were born on the first or second day of the month, you meet this requirement in the month of your 62nd birthday. If you were born on any other day of the month, you do not meet this requirement until the following month. You can apply up to four months before you want your retirement benefits to start.

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.

Can I collect Social Security at 66 and still work full time?

You can continue working and start receiving your retirement benefits. ... You can get Social Security retirement benefits and work at the same time before your full retirement age. However your benefits will be reduced if you earn more than the yearly earnings limits.

How much money can you make at 66 and draw Social Security?

If you will reach full retirement age in 2021, you can earn up to $4,210 per month without losing any of your benefits, up until the month you turn 66. But for every $3 you earn over that amount in any month, you will lose $1 in Social Security benefits.

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.

What is the maximum Social Security benefit at age 66 in 2022?

The most an individual who files a claim for Social Security retirement benefits in 2022 can receive per month is: $2,364 for someone who files at 62. $3,345 for someone who files at full retirement age (66 and 2 months for people born in 1955, 66 and 4 months for people born in 1956).

What is the Social Security payment schedule for 2021?

The next scheduled Social Security payment in 2021 is Wednesday, Jan. 12 for those with birth dates between the 1st and 10th of the month. Following payments will be on Jan. 19 for those whose birthdays are between the 11th and the 20th and then on Jan.

When should I start Social Security?

The minimum age to claim benefits is 62. 1 If you are turning 62 and need the income from Social Security to support yourself, then you can start claiming your benefits now. However, if you have enough other income to keep you going until you are older, you may want to delay increasing the size of your monthly benefit.

Does Social Security increase each month you delay?

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. ... Also see Social Security's When to Start Receiving Retirement Benefits.

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.

Do you have to pay taxes on Social Security?

Some of you have to pay federal income taxes on your Social Security benefits. between $25,000 and $34,000, you may have to pay income tax on up to 50 percent of your benefits. ... more than $34,000, up to 85 percent of your benefits may be taxable.

Is it better to collect Social Security 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.

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.

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.

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.

When can I take Social Security if I was born in 1955?

You can start your Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62, but the benefit amount you receive will be less than your full retirement benefit amount.

What is the difference between retiring at 65 and 66?

You might assume that 65 is your full retirement age for Social Security purposes because that's when you're first eligible for healthcare coverage under Medicare. But for people born between 1943 and 1954, full retirement age is 66. For those born between 1955 and 1959, it's 66 and a certain number of months.

At what age do you get 100 of your Social Security benefits?

If you were born between 1943 and 1954 your full retirement age is 66. If you start receiving benefits at age 66 you get 100 percent of your monthly benefit. If you delay receiving retirement benefits until after your full retirement age, your monthly benefit continues to increase.

How much of my Social Security is taxable in 2021?

For the 2021 tax year (which you will file in 2022), single filers with a combined income of $25,000 to $34,000 must pay income taxes on up to 50% of their Social Security benefits. If your combined income was more than $34,000, you will pay taxes on up to 85% of your Social Security benefits.