I wonder if applying right after FRA makes a difference in processing time versus exactly at FRA? I'm turning 67 in August (my FRA is 67) and debating whether to apply 3 months early as recommended or wait until my birthday month. Anyone have experiences with this timing question?

Wow, congratulations on such a smooth experience! This gives me hope as someone who's planning to apply later this year. I've been dreading the process after hearing so many delay horror stories, but your timeline sounds amazing. Quick question - did you have to submit any additional documents after filing the initial online application, or was everything processed based on just the application itself? I'm trying to get all my ducks in a row beforehand to hopefully have a similar experience. Also, did you get any interim notifications between filing and approval, or did the approval email just show up out of the blue after 20 days?

I work as a benefits advocate and see this exact situation frequently. The key issue is that SSA's computer systems for SSI and survivor benefits don't communicate well with each other, even though they're both SSA programs. Here's what typically happens: survivor benefits are processed through one system while SSI adjustments require manual intervention from a different department. I strongly recommend going to your local office with printed documentation of both benefit amounts and asking to speak with a supervisor who can manually initiate a "concurrent benefit review." Don't just report it - ask them to create a case note that you're requesting immediate processing due to potential overpayment concerns. Also, request they provide you with a written acknowledgment that you reported the change. This paper trail is absolutely critical if they later try to collect an overpayment from you. The fact that you've called multiple times already shows good faith on your part.

I'm dealing with almost the exact same situation with my son who has autism! He started getting survivor benefits 3 months ago and SSI is still paying the full amount. I've been so worried about the overpayment issue. Reading through all these responses is really helpful - I had no idea about asking for a concurrent claims specialist or the SSA-8150 form. I'm definitely going to set up an in-person appointment this week and bring all the documentation everyone mentioned. It's so frustrating that their systems don't talk to each other when it's the same agency! Has anyone had success getting the overpayment waived if you can prove you reported it multiple times?

Thank you all so much for these responses! I have a much clearer picture now of how this works. My takeaways:1. His early claiming WOULD reduce potential survivor benefits if he passes away2. But there's that 82.5% minimum rule that might help offset some of the reduction3. I can strategically switch between my own benefits and survivor benefits to maximize my total lifetime payout4. I should definitely consult with an expert on Social Security claiming strategies given all the complexitiesIt's definitely more complicated than I initially thought, but I feel much better equipped to have an informed conversation with a financial advisor now. Thanks again for all your help!

You're absolutely right to get clarity on this before making any major decisions! One additional thing to consider that hasn't been mentioned yet - make sure you understand the timing rules around when you can actually claim these different benefits. For divorced spouse benefits, you generally need to wait until age 62, but for survivor benefits, you might be eligible as early as age 60 (or even earlier in certain circumstances). The age at which you claim can significantly impact the benefit amount, so factor that into your overall strategy too. Good luck with your planning!

Quick follow-up from my earlier comment - since you mentioned the rep confirmed both amounts on the phone, it's worth calling again to verify everything is in order. While the timing delay I mentioned is normal, occasionally there can be a coding error in how they set up the spousal benefit. When you call, specifically ask them to check if the spousal benefit is properly "established but suspended pending processing" or if there's any issue with how it was coded. If there is an actual error (rather than just normal processing time), catching it early can prevent further delays.

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago! The timing issue you mentioned is definitely the culprit here. When applications are submitted so close together (like your 2-week gap), SSA's system basically puts the spousal benefit calculation "on hold" until your primary record is completely finalized. Here's what helped me get clarity: when I called back, I asked the rep to read me the exact status codes on both claims. They should be able to tell you if the spousal benefit is "pending" versus if there's an actual problem. In my case, it showed as "established but awaiting primary record completion" which gave me peace of mind that it was just a timing issue. The frustrating part is that different reps seem to explain this process differently. Some mention the delay upfront, others (like yours) focus on the final amounts without explaining the processing timeline. One thing that worked for me was asking them to put a note in the system about the expected timing, so future calls would reference that conversation. It took exactly 7 weeks from my husband's application date before my spousal supplement appeared, and yes, all the back payments came through correctly. Hang in there - this really is more common than it should be!

I had this same question a few years ago when I was approaching retirement age. I actually ended up working an extra 6 months because I didn't realize my benefit would be so much higher with those additional months of work. The weird thing was that my January-March earnings showed up in the system differently than my April-December earnings. I think they do some sort of quarterly processing maybe? I still don't fully understand how it works. But anyway, don't make any major decisions until you see your actual benefits calculation with all your 2024 income included. I learned this lesson the hard way!

I work in payroll processing and can add some context to what others have shared. The delay isn't just on SSA's end - there's actually a complex chain of data flow. After employers submit W-2s by January 31st, the data goes through multiple validation steps. SSA has to match millions of records against existing accounts, resolve discrepancies, and handle name changes, address updates, etc. One thing I haven't seen mentioned here is that if you had multiple employers in 2024, each W-2 gets processed separately, so your complete earnings picture might come together at different times. Also, if there were any corrections or amended W-2s filed, that can delay your specific record even if others are processing normally. For retirement planning purposes, I'd recommend keeping detailed records of your 2024 earnings and using the manual entry option in the estimator rather than waiting for the system to update. The calculations will be the same whether you enter it manually or wait for it to appear automatically.