User:Whaleknives/Social Security application

Social Security application
Although Social Security generally says you can submit your application up to 3 months before you want to begin benefits, you may request benefits to start the month of filing, a month in the past (see retroactive benefits below), or up to 4 months in the future. This request is called the "Month of Election". Benefits start the "Month of Entitlement", defined as the month in which an individual has filed an application and Social Security has confirmed that age and earnings requirements have been met. Benefits are then paid the following month, based on your birth date for applications since 1997. If your benefits start in April, you will receive your first benefit payment in May.

Applications may be online (recommended by the Social Security Administration), by phone (1-800-772-1213 or TTY 1-800-325-0778), or in person at your local Social Security office.

The following sections on Retroactive payments and restricted applications, Deemed filing, and Voluntary suspension are based on the many Forum contributions of Mike Piper, Oblivious Investor.

Retroactive payments
For Social Security retirement applications filed after full retirement age (FRA), a retroactive lump sum benefit back to FRA or a maximum of six months is available.

Forum threads have discussed a possible problem of receiving an unwanted lump sum and reduced monthly benefits by the application of retroactivity to applications after FRA. To make sure that you receive all the delayed retirement credits you expect, your application should restrict its scope with "unequivocal" statements to make your intentions clear:

Sample statements to include in the application comments section would be: "'I wish to receive my maximum benefit, including all delayed retirement credits to age 70. I do not wish to receive any retroactive payments based on a retirement age earlier than 70.'"

Deemed filing
As of April 30, 2016 the deemed filing rules apply to all applications, even if you have reached full retirement age. If you file for retirement benefits or spouse's benefits and you are also eligible for any other benefits at that time, you will be deemed to have filed for all benefits. This prevents using a restricted application to claim benefits on another's earnings record (e.g., a spouse), while not claiming on your own earnings record.

Also, deemed filing now applies automatically for anyone already receiving benefits when they become eligible for another benefit. Before April 30, 2016 deemed filing applied only when a new application was submitted.

Voluntary suspension
If you are already receiving Retirement Insurance Benefits (RIB), you can voluntarily suspend them to increase your payments with delayed retirement credits (DRCs). If you change your mind and want the payments to start before age 70, tell Social Security when you want your benefits reinstated (orally or in writing). Your request may include benefits for any months when your payments were suspended, but you will lose DRCs for any retroactive payments. Suspended payments will start automatically the month you reach age 70.

As of April 30, 2016 the following changes apply while your benefits are suspended: These changes, along with the Deemed filing changes above, eliminated the “file and suspend” strategy allowing a spouse to collect spouse's benefits while continuing to earn DRCs on their own earnings record.
 * 1) you cannot receive a benefit based on another’s earnings record, and
 * 2) no one can receive a benefit based on your earnings record.