Another SS Question

[street]

SO my wife applied for SS online and everything went well no problems. Her BD is April 30th and one of the questions when she wanted to receive her first SS check. She opted for May as her first SS check. Today she got something from them and they said her first SS check will be June 27th, 2018.

Is that right or is there an issue with her first check. BD April 30th and wanted a check for the earliest date she could and that would of been May. What I researched she should be eligible for a check in May.

She would never try to get it changed if there seems to be a mistake. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

[joeea]

When did she apply?

My understanding is that it can take 4 months to receive your first Social Security check.

If you apply the recommended 3 months before your birthday, that means the first check can expected to arrive the month after your birthday.

You can always call Social Security and ask about it.

[mystang52]

The month of payment is right. My first month was August...and I got the first check in September. Not sure how they determine when the payment is issued.

[cathy63]

Social Security pays one month in arrears. Her first month of eligibility is the month after her birthday, so May. The May payments are sent in June.

[street]

Thanks for some comparisons and the information. She applied online 3 weeks ago.

[CRLLS]

Funny(not really). DW filed in Dec for SS benefits to start at her FRA. She turned 66 this month. The letter she received from SSA states that she is eligible for benefits beginning Feb 2018. She will receive her first check for February on Mar 21st.

Looking at a copy of her application, it says under "When to start benefits: Benefits to Start Feb 2018: Yes".

So naturally, I'm thinking that maybe she accidentally filed for 1 month early. But her quoted amount is exactly the same as her last annual SS Statement estimate for FRA.

I can only state what I have in writing.

I just found this. It appears that whether the 1st month is in the month of your B'day or not is dependent if you are filing early or not:

Quote:

404.311. When does my entitlement to old-age benefits begin and end? (a) We will find you entitled to old-age benefits beginning with: (1) If you have attained full retirement age (as defined in § 404.409), the first month covered by your application in which you meet all requirements for entitlement; or (2) If you have attained age 62, but have not attained full retirement age (as defined in § 404.409), the first month covered by your application throughout which you meet all requirements for entitlement. (b) We will find your entitlement to old-age benefits ends with the month before the month you die.

[gindie]

If you started receiving SS before 1997, your payment date is the 3rd of the month. All others, if your birthday is the 1-10th, you will get paid the 2nd Wednesday of the month; 11-20th on the 3rd Wednesday, and 21-31st on the 4th Wednesday.

[street]

Interesting information thanks for all your help.

[TrvlBug]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gindie If you started receiving SS before 1997, your payment date is the 3rd of the month. All others, if your birthday is the 1-10th, you will get paid the 2nd Wednesday of the month; 11-20th on the 3rd Wednesday, and 21-31st on the 4th Wednesday.

DH collected spousal prior to switching to his at 70. My birthday falls so I receive my payment on the 3rd Wednesday. DH's birthday falls for payment on the 4th Wednesday, however, continues to receive his on the 3rd, same as mine.

[NYEXPAT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gindie If you started receiving SS before 1997, your payment date is the 3rd of the month. All others, if your birthday is the 1-10th, you will get paid the 2nd Wednesday of the month; 11-20th on the 3rd Wednesday, and 21-31st on the 4th Wednesday.

This is not true for those overseas, I get my deposit on the 3rd of every month,unless it is a weekend and I will get it on the 1st or 2nd.

[Chuckanut]

Yes, SS is always paid one month in arrears.

FWIW, despite on the criticism of SS I found that my online application was handled well. Yes, it did take a few months to be processed and worked out, but there were no problems. I needed to confirm that I had been married and divorced so I sent in the proper documents and got them back a few weeks later. That was about it for 'extra work' on my part.

Today SS money rains down on me every month.

[foxfirev5]

Quote:

Originally Posted by street SO my wife applied for SS online and everything went well no problems. Her BD is April 30th and one of the questions when she wanted to receive her first SS check. She opted for May as her first SS check. Today she got something from them and they said her first SS check will be June 27th, 2018. Is that right or is there an issue with her first check. BD April 30th and wanted a check for the earliest date she could and that would of been May. What I researched she should be eligible for a check in May. She would never try to get it changed if there seems to be a mistake. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

I have almost the same birthday and my 1st check is also due to be paid 6/27. Looks correct to me. However some of the third party calculators do not account for this.

[38Chevy454]

That pay one month in arrears threw me off when my wife signed up as well. So instead of Dec being marked on the online signup, the actual first deposit was Jan.