Grandma1956

Hi i am new to the forum, but have a question about claiming my social security benefits. I applied in october have sent them numerus forms, passport, birth certificate. I was hoping to get my first payment in february as i turned 62 in january, but still waiting.

I have been back in the UK 4 years after spending 23 in the USA. Is this normal, how long does it take?
Thank you for your comments.

Victor Meldrew

What do you mean by claiming 'early retirement'? Do you mean claiming your State Pension early? if so, I don't think this can be done.

Jerseygirl

As you were born in 1956 you are not entitled to a UK state pension until you reach 66 (2022).

Grandma1956

Hi, my USA social security retirement benefit. You can apply for it when you reach 62. Its just taking forever. Wondered if anyone else has gone through this, and what was the outcome?

robin1234

I assume that the question is about US Social Security. You can claim it any time from age 62 on. My experience won't help, as I lived in the US when I claimed mine at age 64. (I simply claimed it online, if I remember.)

robin1234

Is this to the embassy in London that you sent this documentation? I don't know what the procedure is when applying from a foreign country...

Grandma1956

I applied online back in october. In january when i still had heard anything from them i called them. They requested i send the documentation to london.
Which i did, still nothing. Hopefully i will get it back paid.
Thanks everyone.

scot47

When you last lived in the USA, who was your Senator ? Write to her/him.

Jerseygirl

Apologies...as this thread is in the UK forum...I presumed it was a UK pension.

vikingsail

I don't know for sure but I suspect from your post and information provided that you have run into that most stalwart of government bureaucracy = the conscientious administrator! I suggest that applying early has been your rookie mistake and your details/ application are now lost in the maze of government admin. If it were me now you have actually turned 62. I would apply online as you clearly have online access using the following links:

https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/applying8.html

As the reminder at this link states "..you must be 61 years and 9 months to apply for benefits." Thus I suggest applying last October or earlier was likely filed .....or possibly right on the cusp of the rule 61 and 9 months and caused confusion.

holly_1948

Bear in mind that US social security is paid in arrears, so you are looking at the first full month after your year 62 birthday. So the first Wednesday at least five weeks after your birthday. Best case.

Giantaxe

OP is probably also going to have to prove they don't work (or work little) in the UK. There is a very low limit on hours worked when applying before full retirement age and living outside the US.

Grandma1956

Thanks for all the replys. Yes i had to sign something saying that is the case.
I did not think it would be so complicated! I was hoping someone here may of worked in the usa, moved back to uk and then claimed their social security retirement benefits. Who could give me some indication of how long they need.
Thanks again.

robin1234

The consolation is that every month they delay, your eventual monthly payment will increase a little bit.