Clarifying when to file for social security

[capemaydiamond]

Hi. I’m sure this is in other threads somewhere but I couldn’t find it. I’m turning 70 in early August and want to get the maximum delayed retirement credits. Is May 1 the earliest I can apply online for social security? I’ve read it should be 4 months prior but just clarifying I’ve got this correct. I understand that the first check would arrive in Sept.

[Comment removed - moderator oldocmputerguy]

Thanks for any thoughts.

[ocean]

I recently received a letter via mail exactly 4 months to the day of my birthday saying file now. So, I went online to their website and did just that. Took all of 10 minutes. Already received confirmation they received it and which office would be handling my case. Sounded fairly professional to me...

[capemaydiamond]

Thanks. That’s making me think I can apply in early April…

[Flobes]

I’m turning 70 in early August and want to get the maximum delayed retirement credits.

When you complete your online SS application, there is "Remarks" space for whatever.

I copied my "Remarks" from someone who posted them here on the Forum:

"I want Social Security retirement benefits with maximized delayed credits. I do not want my benefits to start now. Benefits not to begin before those for Month 202x, when I turn 70 on Month Day, 202x. I do not want any retroactive payments for any other months."

The "retroactive" instruction is very important, as SS often defaults to six months of retroactive payments when you apply later than FRA.

[capemaydiamond]

Thanks. I did see that on another thread. I appreciate your posting it.

Not sure how to have the post I’m responding to show up in quotes in my Reply….

[BolderBoy]

And on a related note, any thoughts about filing sooner and missing out on some delayed retirement credits just to get into the social security system while it’s still functioning?

The SS system isn't going anywhere.

Have you considered that there may be an advantage to waiting until Jan 2 to file? It pushes the SS income into next year, potentially lowering your taxable income for 2025. Then in Jan or Feb you'd get two payments - one for the retroactive amount (back to your 70th birthday month) and the other as the first of your regular SS payments for each month going forward.

Just a thought.

[ssel]

Thanks. That’s making me think I can apply in early April…

Indeed. April 1.

[Fractalleaf]

I just filed today for benefits to begin in July, the month I turn 70. I wish I had seen the detailed language to ensure that benefits won't start before I turn 70. I did write a brief comment about wanting maximum payment at age 70, hopefully that was good enough. The online process was fast, but I am required to present documentation (green card) before my application will be approved. I will try to call to make an appointment tomorrow, but may have to just wait in a very long line if I can't get through by phone.

I expected to have an option to request withholding of taxes but couldn't find that. Does that become available once the application is accepted?

[Chip Munk]

I expected to have an option to request withholding of taxes but couldn't find that. Does that become available once the application is accepted?

Inexplicably, there is no place on the Social Security application form to request withholding and unless things have changed, you cannot do it online. There is yet another form for that purpose, Form W-4V https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-w-4-v where you can choose one of four options: 7%, 10%, 12%, or 22%. Then you mail it or fax it or hand deliver the form to your local SSA office.

What I did was add a note to my Social Security application when I applied online, requesting withholding and the percentage I wanted (from those four options). I was notified to setup a phone interview with an SSA rep to review my application and during the call the SSA rep noticed the comment and set up the withholding during the call. I don't know if my request would have been noticed or successful if I hadn't had the phone interview.

My husband submitted the special form (I think he faxed it to our local SSA office) and it took 3 months and 2 phone calls to the local office to get them to process it.

[22twain]

I expected to have an option to request withholding of taxes but couldn't find that. Does that become available once the application is accepted?

People here have reported success when requesting tax withholding in the "remarks" section at the end of the online application. However, you must request a percentage that is actually allowed: 7%, 10%, 12% or 22%. Otherwise it will (probably) be ignored.

In your case, after you receive your "Notice of Award", you can submit Form W-4V to request tax withholding. Send it by snail mail to your local SS office. That's what I did. It went through without a hitch. Within a few weeks I received a confirmation which stated my updated net monthly benefit payment.

[Marq1]

Instead of waiting and worrying just do it now and be done, what will a couple pennies per month mean in the long run!

[sycamore]

Thanks. I did see that on another thread. I appreciate your posting it.

Not sure how to have the post I’m responding to show up in quotes in my Reply….

Here's how.
1. Find the post you want to reply to. I'll use your very post as an example.

2. Look at the top of the post where there's a set of three icons. One icon looks like a double quote. I've circled it in blue in the image below:



3. Click on that double quote icon. This lets you "POST A REPLY" with the text box prefilled with the original post's text.

4. You can then add your response. Make sure to put your response outside of the "quote" boxes.
Hope that helps!

[capemaydiamond]

Thanks. I did see that on another thread. I appreciate your posting it.

Not sure how to have the post I’m responding to show up in quotes in my Reply….

Here's how.

1. Find the post you want to reply to. I'll use your very post as an example.

2. Look at the top of the post where there's a set of three icons. One icon looks like a double quote. I've circled it in blue in the image below:



3. Click on that double quote icon. This lets you "POST A REPLY" with the text box prefilled with the original post's text.

4. You can then add your response. Make sure to put your response outside of the "quote" boxes.
Hope that helps!

Thank you (I hope I’ve done this correctly)! I believe one can delete part of the original post that’s prefilled in the text box, if you’re only responding to part of it….?

[22twain]

I believe one can delete part of the original post that’s prefilled in the text box, if you’re only responding to part of it….?

Yes yes yes!!! Please please please do this!

Just don't delete the "quote tags" (the things in square brackets at the beginning and end of the quote). Before posting, use the "Preview" button to make sure you haven't messed something up.

[capemaydiamond]

[/quote]
Just don't delete the "quote tags" (the things in square brackets at the beginning and end of the quote). Before posting, use the "Preview" button to make sure you haven't messed something up.
[/quote]

Just trying this to see if I’m doing it correctly…
Thank you!

[capemaydiamond]

Just don't delete the "quote tags" (the things in square brackets at the beginning and end of the quote). Before posting, use the "Preview" button to make sure you haven't messed something up.

Trying again

[PFM]

I believe one can delete part of the original post that’s prefilled in the text box

Or even easier, just select the part you want to quote. Works great!

[capemaydiamond]

Or even easier, just select the part you want to quote. Works great!

Love it. It’s not intuitive how to do this!

[22twain]

Or even easier, just select the part you want to quote. Works great!

Works great on a “real computer” but not on an iPhone or iPad, which quote the whole post regardless.

[capemaydiamond]

Works great on a “real computer” but not on an iPhone or iPad, which quote the whole post regardless.

I’m on an iPhone, seems to be working, just need to scroll up to see the preview….

[Hebell]

For a quote box to work correctly, the first quote in brackets must not have the forward slash.

Code: Select all

[quote]text goes here[/quote]

The one without the slash means text is coming up. The one WITH the slash means that the quoted text is done.

[Fractalleaf]

I expected to have an option to request withholding of taxes but couldn't find that. Does that become available once the application is accepted?

Inexplicably, there is no place on the Social Security application form to request withholding and unless things have changed, you cannot do it online. There is yet another form for that purpose, Form W-4V https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-w-4-v where you can choose one of four options: 7%, 10%, 12%, or 22%. Then you mail it or fax it or hand deliver the form to your local SSA office.

What I did was add a note to my Social Security application when I applied online, requesting withholding and the percentage I wanted (from those four options). I was notified to setup a phone interview with an SSA rep to review my application and during the call the SSA rep noticed the comment and set up the withholding during the call. I don't know if my request would have been noticed or successful if I hadn't had the phone interview.

My husband submitted the special form (I think he faxed it to our local SSA office) and it took 3 months and 2 phone calls to the local office to get them to process it.

Thank you, very helpful information. Since I have to visit an office anyway with my green card, I will fill out the form for withholding and bring it along. I spoke to someone yesterday who said it has been almost a year since they requested withholding from their payments and it still hasn't gone through, so I'm hoping to get it added before the first check is processed.

[Chip Munk]

Thank you, very helpful information. Since I have to visit an office anyway with my green card, I will fill out the form for withholding and bring it along. I spoke to someone yesterday who said it has been almost a year since they requested withholding from their payments and it still hasn't gone through, so I'm hoping to get it added before the first check is processed.

Good plan.

I would advise the person you spoke to who has been waiting a year to call their local SSA office. It shouldn't take more than a month or two. If it has been longer than that, something went wrong. In my husband's case, whoever initially handled his request noted that the form was received but didn't actually process the request. It wasn't until I got a more experienced SSA rep on the phone that she noticed the problem and processed the request while on the phone with us.

[ocean]

I’m turning 70 in early August and want to get the maximum delayed retirement credits.

When you complete your online SS application, there is "Remarks" space for whatever.

I copied my "Remarks" from someone who posted them here on the Forum:

"I want Social Security retirement benefits with maximized delayed credits. I do not want my benefits to start now. Benefits not to begin before those for Month 202x, when I turn 70 on Month Day, 202x. I do not want any retroactive payments for any other months."

The "retroactive" instruction is very important, as SS often defaults to six months of retroactive payments when you apply later than FRA.

Thanks for the helpful information. I called today and after waiting less than a minute on hold, asked the representative to add a note to my file requesting NO retroactive payments. She was happy to help. All good!

[capemaydiamond]

Thanks for the helpful information. I called today and after waiting less than a minute on hold, asked the representative to add a note to my file requesting NO retroactive payments. She was happy to help. All good!

Glad to hear that was so easy. What # did you call?

[CuriousGeorgeTx]

I expected to have an option to request withholding of taxes but couldn't find that. Does that become available once the application is accepted?

People here have reported success when requesting tax withholding in the "remarks" section at the end of the online application. However, you must request a percentage that is actually allowed: 7%, 10%, 12% or 22%. Otherwise it will (probably) be ignored.

In your case, after you receive your "Notice of Award", you can submit Form W-4V to request tax withholding. Send it by snail mail to your local SS office. That's what I did. It went through without a hitch. Within a few weeks I received a confirmation which stated my updated net monthly benefit payment.

I had read of these successes. I put the language that had worked for others in the Remarks section when I applied Sept 2024 for benefits beginning January 2025, and it did not work. When DW applied previously, we had to fax the W-4P twice to get withholding started. I have decided for mine I will just take care of the withholding by withholding from a Roth conversion late in the year until RMDs start for me and then I will do it as part of a December distribution.

[Kruser64]

I noticed yesterday that on the social security website it now says you can also call:

https://www.ssa.gov/manage-benefits/req ... hold-taxes

"Call us
Tell the representative what percent of your monthly payment you want to withhold for taxes.
"
Still has the text:
"You may choose to withhold 7%, 10%, 12%, or 22% of your monthly payment."

Don't know how well this works in practice.