[mountn man]

Relax. The IRS is looking into it.

[SWAMPSNIPER]

It was 7 months between my application and the first check.

[CIB-173RDABN]

I applied on line and was surprised to get a call the next day confirming the information. This was followed up by a letter. I had no problem.

My wife applied on line and got a call within a few days confirming the information.

So you may want to wait to talk to someone.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Try waiting 2 to 4 years to hear back from the US Department of Veteran’s Affairs sometime.

[rktman]

I went for it at 64 plus a couple months and contacted them a couple of months prior to that. Don’t recall the response time but there was a field office near where we lived so I did visit them also. The only real hassle I’ve had was them raising my Part B due to my adjusted gross income from my IRS return from 2 years prior. Ain’t no way I make that kind of money now so I provided them the latest tax return and they relented. Then due to some IRA/401k distributions they did it to me again. Another tax return. Problem alleviated for the time being. I wish my income was what they thought it was in retirement. LOL! Good luck.

[CARTOUCHE]

I applied online and was called by a regional office somewhere a few days later telling me I had the choice of taking more thru my late ex-wife’s account or taking my own. I took hers and received my first pymt a month later.

I’m near certain she has her bony white fingers encircling my neck. I consider it reparations.

[robowombat]

This is unusual. SSA is pretty efficient. I would recommend you visit your local SSA office.

[macglencoe]

Don’t hold your breath, they’re trying to raise the early retirement age.

[Stentor]

If it's RSDI, your month of entitlement will be October because you have to be age 62 for a full month. You get paid on the first Wednesday of November based on a birth date of the 9th. I have it on good authority ( I called someone who works there) that their office is currently working on July entitlement dates. One of her pet peeves is that they will tell you online that you should hear something in 5 days and she gets non stop calls from panicked people because it doesn't always happen that way. RSDI people almost always get paid on time. It's the disability claims that can take while. Doesn't help you with your notice problem, I know.

[yarddog]

I worked as a claims rep for Social Security way back in the early 70s before transferring to another agency.

Basically there are two things they need to verify. First, your age. That is typically done by obtaining the original form SS-15 from when you first applied for a number. Next would be your birth certificate. Those two would be enough.

The other thing is to verify you earnings which they usually already have on file.

If those two things are satisfied, you should get your first check pretty quick.

Back in my day, if you did not apply by age 65, Social Security would send a letter telling you that you can do so.

[Don Corleone]

If they know you’re a Freeper you’ll probably never get it.

[savedbygrace]

Because you already have income for 2014, your SS benefits payments might not be paid for every month of the remainder of 2014. SS calculates your income for the current year, and if it is more than the maximum amount of non-SS income they allow for a year, you will not receive SS benefits payments until the amount of extra income is made up for in withheld benefits payments.

I also applied at 62 YO, and that’s what a SS rep told me. I canceled my request and will apply again when I’m 66, so I can earn as much extra income as I can without that penalty.

[House Atreides]

This may have some information you need.

http://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/ssb/v62n3/v62n3p51.pdf

[OftheOhio]

I applied three months ahead of time, took 6 weeks or more for approval, and finally got my first check 2 months and 2 days after my birthday this year. Someone I know locally had the same experience.

[siamesecats]

I just applied last Wednesday, which is about 90 days before my 62nd birthday. I was also told to apply as soon as I could. I haven’t worked since 2011, so the income will be appreciated. When I applied, the website indicated I would get my first payment in November of this year (the month after I turn 62). Then, a few hours later I received an e mail telling me to check on my application in 5 days. Those five days has not passed yet, actually I’m assuming they were speaking five work days, not 5 days in a row...

[UB355]

I applied online Nov 2011 received claim receipt Dec 20 and first check Jan 18 2012.

[rhinohunter]

Does anyone know how to estimate the amount of your benefit if you quit working early?
The website gives you your estimates for retiring at 62, 67, and 70 with the assumption that you are working right up until then. What I want to do is see the effect of quitting early.

[SkyDancer]

Another way to look at it is: how long from the time they pull your benefits because they think you’re dead until they restore it? Even if you go to the local office to prove you’re not dead. Grandad waited over ten months. We all had gone to the local SS office to prove he was still alive. Interesting visit; armed guards, staff behind bullet proof glass ....other things that would make me a racist.

[Tennessee Nana]

I applied a couple of months before my 62th birthday but not online..

I went into my local office..talked to a real person..Heard back almost right away..

started collecting the month after my birthday..

[logi_cal869]

Hmmm...this thread just...seems to rub me the wrong way...