I applied on Jan. 21 to start receiving Social Security benefits. I checked my online account today and dated Jan. 31 I am approved.
The entire process was painless. I created my online SS account a couple of years ago and periodically checked my statement.
I was not asked for any further details other than what I submitted on the 21st.
It’s nice to know you don’t always have to jump through hoops to get what is coming to you!
It took over 2 1/2 months for mine to be approved!
Every second Wednesday I’m like, “Look, they put money in my account again!” It never gets old.
I did not have such an easy time with Social Security, but thankfully it seems to be all good now. I agree – I love that day when they deposit money in my account. It’s like magic!!
Now that you’re approved, are there any other steps before your benefit is deposited into your bank account?
FYI, DH needed to tell them to deduct income taxes from his SS benefits by filling out an additional form. Believe he received a couple of checks before connecting those dots as the agent he worked with didn’t mention it.
Mine seemed to have figured the Medicare withholding out by the look of the notice I received. I think I checked a box when I first applied.
I am looking forward to that first deposit :D. I’m planning to work s couple more years but that extra little bit now will help with that goal.
^same here; you need to indicate income tax withholding but i was able to do it online
I have a problem doing anything online related to Medicare or SS because I am a green card holder.
I’ve been here since 1988 - I will probably apply for citizenship soon. I kept thinking I’d wait till we move to where I want to retire (Florida) so I learn the Florida stuff for the test. But that day doesn’t seem to be getting any closer.
ManhattanBoro: I don’t believe there’s anything else I need to do. Logging into mySocialSecuity it doesn’t indicate anything else needs to be done.
You do not have to have withholding income tax from Social Security benefits.
https://www.ssa.gov/planners/taxwithold.html
It’s an option.
“You can ask us to withhold federal taxes from your Social Security benefit payment when you first apply.
If you are already receiving benefits or if you want to change or stop your withholding, you’ll need a Form W-4V from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).”
“When you complete the form, you will need to select the percentage of your monthly benefit amount you want withheld. You can have 7, 10, 12 or 22 percent of your monthly benefit withheld for taxes.”
My SS is only enough to cover my Medicare bill, and $27 additional a month. So…no federal taxes deducted.
I’m still patiently waiting for SS to complete an audit of my account from a mistake THEY made in 2016. I am guessing…they have decided not to bother.
I think we are going to start collecting SS benefits May 1… which means we can apply now I think (3 months before start date?) We will get around to it, maybe next month. Certainly looking forward to it. Already planning a big trip in the fall, so some extra funds will be helpful.
Yes, apply now. I applied 3 months before. Good thing as mine - as mentioned above it took a while to be approved (though I think my situation is likely different to yours).
I am following this thread trying to decide when the best time for my H to apply is. I just wanted to point out that the citizenship test is national and I don’t believe that there are separate state questions, except things that would apply to the entire country (e.g., which is the last state to join the Union or where was the first capitol). I would google the issue but I don’t think you have to wait. Below is a link to a 20 question sample citizenship test. Good luck.
This is a couple years in the future for me, but I’m following closely. I didn’t know about the choice to withhold or not–what would be the reasons and repercussions of each choice? Thanks.
I highly recommend running a SS calculator to estimate the ‘optimal’ time to take SS from a Present Value perspective, particularly for survivor benefits. You can change the actuarial tables under the Advanced tab.
@techmom99 - Actually you have to take the test in the state you reside in and there are some State questions. Very minor ones like the governor, the state senators, state representatives. Most of the questions are not state related. I can take it any time - most of the 100 possible citizenship tests I knew without even studying it (though I find the state rep one s the hardest to remember) but have the USCIS APP and practice then now and again to refresh there are maybe a handful that aren’t very basic knowledge. They hadn’t updated the speaker of the house on the app as of last week.
it’s probably silly but i always wanted to take it in the state I was hoping to retire to because I have never liked the state I live in much. But I am probably going to do it in the next year (the citizenship not the move).
I checked my bank account online this morning and my first Social Security check/deposit is there. On time as per my SS acceptance letter.
And every month forevermore!!