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.

Retroactive benefits
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:

A claimant may choose to limit or restrict the scope of the application to exclude a class of benefits he or she may be eligible to on one or more SSNs for any reason (except where deemed filing applies). The reason may be to receive higher current benefits or to maximize the amount of benefits over a period of time, including the effect of delayed retirement credits (DRCs). (See RS 00615.480 for information on adjustment of the reduction factor.) a. Before adjudication

The claimant must restrict the application before it is adjudicated. b. Unequivocal statements

The claimant may restrict the application by completing appropriate blocks on the application or by signing an unequivocal statement that he or she does not wish to file for a specific benefit as follows: “I filed on (DATE) for all benefits for which I may be eligible except ___________”; or “I wish to exclude ________ benefits from the scope of this application.” Only unequivocal statements are acceptable. Qualifying phrases such as “at this time” or he or she plans to file in the future are not acceptable.

Deemed filing
2/1/20 (May - 3 months) Kathy files a Social Security application for her retirement insurance benefits only, to begin at FRA of 66 in May. Remarks:

I am filing for retirement insurance benefits on my earnings record, to begin at my full retirement age of 66 on May 17, 2020, with the first payment in June. I do not wish to receive any retroactive payments based on a retirement age earlier than 66. 2/2/20 (May - 3 months) Kevin files a restricted application for spouse's benefits only, to begin in May. Remarks:

I am filing a restricted application for spouse's benefits only, based on the earnings record of my wife, Kathy O. Walsh (SSN 227-64-8031), to begin on May 17, 2020, with the first payment in June. I understand that the spouse's benefits are one-half of my wife's primary insurance amount at her full retirement age of 66. I wish to exclude all retirement insurance benefits based on my own earnings record from the scope of this application, in order to receive delayed retirement credits. I do not wish this application to be considered an application for reduced benefits on my own record. I intend to delay filing for retirement insurance benefits on my own earnings until age 70, to receive my maximum benefit including all Delayed Retirement Credits. From  From  4/1/20 (July - 3 months) Kevin files for his retirement insurance benefits, to begin at 70 in July. Remarks:

I am filing for retirement insurance benefits on my earnings record, to begin at age 70 on July 10, 2020, with the first payment in August. 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. From  From  4/2/20 Kathy files for spouse's benefit. Remarks:

I would like to file for spouse's insurance benefits on the earnings of my husband, Kevin E. Walsh (SSN 230-76-2536), to begin on July 10, 2020, with the first payment in August. I understand that my total benefit should change to 50% of my husband's Primary Insurance Amount at his Full Retirement Age of 66.

If you file for Social Security after your full retirement age, your application will be automatically backdated to the later of 1) 6 months ago or 2) the date on which you reached FRA ...unless you ask them not to. From  . . . if you receive a lump sum payout you would forfeit any delayed retirement credits earned during that same period. From 

If your benefit payments are suspended, they will start automatically the month you reach age 70. If you change your mind and want the payments to start before age 70, just tell us when you want your benefits reinstated (orally or in writing). Your request may include benefits for any months when your payments were suspended. From 

GN 02409.130 Voluntary Suspension Reinstatement A. Procedure for reinstatement at age 70 The Program Service Centers (PSC) use automated systems to process voluntary delayed retirement credit (VOLDRC) reinstatements at age 70. When we reinstate benefits at age 70, all VOLDRCs are credited immediately. We automatically select and process reinstatements to stop suspension with the month before the month the retirement insurance benefit (RIB) beneficiary attains age 70. For an explanation of the PSCs’ automated processes for voluntary suspension reinstatements, see SM 03020.250. B. Procedure for reinstatement prior to age 70 The RIB beneficiary who requested suspension may at any time request benefit reinstatement as of any month in the suspension period. We will accept a written or oral request. There is no signature requirement. From 

The following schedule is based on Social Security Administration estimates: