If you are considering retiring from the workforce in the near future, one of the most important things you'll need to know is how long it will take for you to start receiving your Social Security retirement benefits after you apply for them. While it generally takes approximately six weeks for an application to be processed, it is advisable for you to initiate the process three months before you want to receive your first benefit payment.
Tips
It usually takes around six weeks to process your Social Security application for retirement benefits, but applying a few months before you need your payments is recommended.
Three Ways to Apply
You can apply for your Social Security retirement benefits in one of three ways. You can complete an application online, over the phone or in person by visiting your local Social Security office. The Social Security Administration estimates that it will take approximately 15 minutes to complete an application using your computer.
It will take longer to complete your application over the phone or in person because you will ordinarily need to make an appointment for a Social Security representative to take your application. If you live outside the United States and its territories, and are eligible to receive Social Security retirement benefits, you can apply to receive them by contacting the closest Social Security office, U.S. Embassy or consulate.
Tips
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, you may additionally be eligible for an economic impact payment.
Online Application Process
If you decide to apply for your benefits online, you will be able to save your application if you are unable to finish it in one sitting. If you remain on one of the application's pages for more than 25 minutes without activity, you will have two successive warnings that will enable you to extend your stay on that page. If a third warning appears and you don't proceed to another page, you will be logged out, and the work you've completed on the page where you've lingered will be lost.
It is important to remember that the Social Security Administration will only begin to process your online application when you complete it in its entirety. So, the longer you take to finish your application, the longer it will be before it is reviewed and you start receiving your benefits.
Required Documents
Regardless of how you apply for your retirement benefits, the Social Security Administration may need to see certain documents such as your original birth and marriage certificates to verify your eligibility to receive benefits. There is no reason to delay applying for benefits if you don't have all of the materials you need. Social Security representatives will help you get them and avoid delays in processing your application.
When Benefits Will Begin
If your application is approved before you reach at least the minimum retirement age for people born in the same year as you, you will typically begin receiving your Social Security retirement benefits one month after you are entitled to receive them. For instance, if you are eligible to receive benefits beginning in February, you will receive your first payment in March.
This is a common question we get when
we do a full Social Security Benefit session. “When will I receive my first check”. It’s important to understand that As of March 1, 2013, the Social Security Administration stopped mailing paper checks. There are two ways you can receive your benefits: 1. Direct deposit of your Social Security checks. This option puts them right into your bank account on the day
they are paid. You don’t have to worry about your check being lost or worry that funds will not get to the bank in time if you are out of town. Sign up or learn more at Frequently Asked Questions About Social Security Direct Deposit. 2. Direct Express® Debit Card – If you do not sign up for direct deposit, your benefits will be paid to you via Direct Express® debit card option. This card will work
anywhere that takes Debit Mastercard®. You can also use your Direct Express® debit card to get cash back at the grocery store or to purchase money orders at the post office. Social Security checks are deposited on the second, third, or fourth Wednesday of each month, depending on your day of birth. The Social Security check schedule works as follows: If you were born on the: 1st–10th of the month: Expect your Social Security check to be deposited on the 2nd Wednesday of each
month.
11th–20th of the month: Expect your Social Security check to be deposited on the 3rd Wednesday of each month.
21st–31st of the month: Expect your Social Security check to be deposited on the 4th Wednesday of each month.
Exceptions to When Social Security Checks Arrive
For every rule, there are always exceptions. If you fall into one of the categories below, your check may arrive on an alternate schedule.
You started receiving benefits before 1997: Your Social Security check is paid on the third day of the month. You can request to change this according to the day of birth schedule above.
You are receiving both Social Security benefits and SSI payments: Expect your Social Security check to be deposited on the third day of the month.
Holiday exceptions: If the day your Social Security check is supposed to be deposited is a holiday, your check will be deposited the previous day.
If you have questions on how to Maximize your Social Security Benefits, contact us today. This is what we do! Helping thousands of people that look for ways to maximize their retirement and live a better life.