Does social security “back pay” retirement benefits?

[Yarnstormer]

I have some friends - very poor - they applied for her husband’s retirement benefits (he is 65, she is younger)
He did not have his birth certificate and until I bought it for them online they could not provide one so their ss was not in place.
Will social security back pay from time of application like they would with a disability claim?

[MissMolly]

To my knowledge they will only back pay for 6 months. And I think you have to be full retirement age.

[VanWinkle]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yarnstormer I have some friends - very poor - they applied for her husband’s retirement benefits (he is 65, she is younger) He did not have his birth certificate and until I bought it for them online they could not provide one so their ss was not in place. Will social security back pay from time of application like they would with a disability claim?

That is a good question. I went to SSA.gov but was unable to find an answer. I would call a local office for the answer and make sure to post what you learn for others here.

VW

[MissMolly]

You actually have to be past full retirement age. Here's an article from AARP:

https://www.aarp.org/retirement/soci...retroactively/

[ivinsfan]

The question was do they consider the day of application as the day benefits start, not will they pay you in the past before you filed? .. I think maybe yes as I tried to do an online claim for myself and had an issue with my citizenship paperwork. I went in person to the office and showed my papers. It took a few weeks and I decided to push my start date out a couple more months into the next calendar year.. I had to sign a waiver with the new start date and verify I wasn't starting payments on the day I started my online paperwork.

[Yarnstormer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissMolly You actually have to be past full retirement age. Here's an article from AARP: https://www.aarp.org/retirement/soci...retroactively/

I think this answers it. He is almost 65, His full retirement age is 66, so looks like he will not be offered retroactive benefits.
I’m going on what she has told me so I’m not sure of the status of the application.

I don’t like that they do the retroactive benefit offer - the uninformed might think it was a good idea or that it was the only way they could get that money. I hope the ss office explains the ramifications of taking the retro pay.

He has a disability application as well but if he gets ss, there is no benefit to the disability is there? He is a veteran and in poor health.

[leftbucket]

If he is a veteran 65 or older with limited resources, he can apply for a veteran's pension as well as the SS. Generally, the VA healthcare is cheaper than Medicare alone too, so I would have him check into the healthcare resources there also.

https://www.benefits.va.gov/pension/vetpen.asp

I would have him go see a VSO (Veteran's service officer) nearby to get the ball rolling. They do not charge for assistance.

All the best,
LB

[ivinsfan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by leftbucket If he is a veteran 65 or older with limited resources, he can apply for a veteran's pension as well as the SS. Generally, the VA healthcare is cheaper than Medicare alone too, so I would have him check into the healthcare resources there also. https://www.benefits.va.gov/pension/vetpen.asp I would have him go see a VSO (Veteran's service officer) nearby to get the ball rolling. They do not charge for assistance. All the best, LB

VSO's are great but not always available in every county. I'd recommend looking for a branch of the DAV..Disabled American Veterans..they are wonderful in situations like this.

[leftbucket]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ivinsfan VSO's are great but not always available in every county. I'd recommend looking for a branch of the DAV..Disabled American Veterans..they are wonderful in situations like this.

I don't want to make a mountain out of a molehill here, but I think you are confusing the issue. "VSO" is a certification for someone who assists veterans. They work at many organizations... state, private non-profit, etc including the DAV. No matter which organization you choose to obtain a VSO through, there is no charge and you do not have to be a member.

https://nvf.org/veteran-service-officers/

Besides the possible pension and healthcare, there are likely many other benefits the OP's friend may be entitled to. A VSO is a good first step.

[ivinsfan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by leftbucket I don't want to make a mountain out of a molehill here, but I think you are confusing the issue. "VSO" is a certification for someone who assists veterans. They work at many organizations... state, private non-profit, etc including the DAV. No matter which organization you choose to obtain a VSO through, there is no charge and you do not have to be a member. https://nvf.org/veteran-service-officers/ Besides the possible pension and healthcare, there are likely many other benefits the OP's friend may be entitled to. A VSO is a good first step.

We have VSOs who work for the county and are county employees and I didn't realize it wasn't always a government position. But I can still recommend the DAV...thanks for adding that information