I'm 69. I started applying for Social Security retirement benefits online, but then stopped because I ran in to some questions that I need help with. I never completed the application process nor signed the form. When I called the SS office for help, they said that I started my application process 7 months ago and that it needed to be completed within 6 months. They made this sound like this wasn't a good situation for me. They scheduled me for the next available meeting with one of the SS representative, but this will be 2 months from now. I am worried. Am I at risk of impacting/losing my benefits? Is there anything I should do now?

Hi,

Whether or not you're at risk of losing any benefits depends on whether or not your intent is to claim benefits retroactively. When you start an online application, you establish a protective filing date that's protective for at least 6 months. During that time, you can complete your application and claim benefits retroactively for up to 6 months prior to the month in which you established your protective filing date.

It sounds like the protective filing date you would have established by starting an online application has now expired. Assuming that's the case, a new protective filing date would have been established when you called to make your appointment to complete your application. Based on that protective filing date, even if your actual appointment is 2 months from now you'll have the option of starting your benefits as far back as 6 months prior to the month of your protective filing date. In other words, if you called to make your appointment in February 2021, you could choose to start your benefits effective as early as August 2020.

However, you should be aware that the earlier that you start drawing your Social Security retirement benefits prior to age 70, the lower your monthly rate will be. You may want to strongly consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to fully analyze the options available to you in order to determine your best strategy for maximizing your benefits.

Best, Jerry