ABA Family Legal Guide

The Rights of Older Americans

Social Security and Supplemental Security Income

When should I file my claim to collect Social Security benefits?

If you are retiring, you should file two or three months before your retirement date. Your first Social Security check should arrive soon after you quit working. It is important not to delay filing for either retirement or survivor benefits because you will get paid retroactive benefits only for the six months prior to the month you file your application, provided that you were eligible during those months. Retirement and survivor benefit applications take two to three months to process. Disability benefit applications, however, take longer.