A person’s birthdate determines when they are eligible for benefits as well as how much they will receive. Retirement benefits can start and continue for the duration of the month in which a person turns 62. (See RS 00201. 001C. According to English common law, which Social Security adheres to, an individual reaches a certain age the day before their birthday. (See GN 00302. 400. For instance, on January 14, 2004, a person born on January 15, 2003, will turn one year old. Consequently, if a person’s 62nd birthday falls on the first or second day of a given month, they are considered to be 62 for the full month. Each month of entitlement (MOE) before the month full retirement age (FRA) is reached results in a reduction in retirement benefits. FRA varies depending on the date of birth, from age 65 to age 67 for some individuals. Retirement benefits are computed using two factors:
NOTE: Achieving FRA is exempt from the throughout the month rule. Regardless of the day of the month, unreduced benefits are payable as of the month the FRA is reached. For instance, if a person was born on June 1, 1935, their FRA was reached on May 31, 2000, and they could start receiving unreduced benefits in May 2000.
Four people who were born over the course of four days will be used in several examples to demonstrate how these variables interact.
When it comes to claiming Social Security benefits, many people wonder if they start on their birthday or in the month of their birth. While the answer is slightly more nuanced than a simple yes or no, understanding the rules around birthdates and benefit start dates is crucial for making informed decisions about your retirement income.
The Day of Birth and Its Impact on Benefits
According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), the day of your birth affects both your eligibility for benefits and the amount you receive. This is because the SSA follows English common law, which states that a person attains a particular age on the day before their birthday. For example, if you were born on January 15th, 2003, you would be considered one year old on January 14th, 2004.
This rule has a direct impact on when you can start receiving Social Security retirement benefits. You can begin receiving benefits the first month you turn 62, and this applies throughout the entire month, regardless of the specific day. So, if your 62nd birthday falls on the 1st or 2nd of the month, you can start receiving benefits that same month.
However, it’s important to note that the “throughout the month” rule does not apply to reaching full retirement age (FRA). FRA varies from 65 to 67, depending on your birth year, and benefits are only payable without reduction starting with the month you reach FRA, regardless of the day.
How Your Birthdate Affects Benefit Amounts
The day of your birth also influences the amount of your Social Security benefit. This is because the SSA calculates benefits based on two factors:
- Earnings during your working career: The SSA considers your earnings history and adjusts your benefit amount based on your highest 35 years of earnings.
- The year you turn 62: The year you turn 62 determines the indexing factors and bend points used to calculate your benefit amount. These factors adjust for inflation and changes in life expectancy.
Therefore, individuals born in different years, even if they have the same earnings history, may receive different benefit amounts due to the varying indexing factors and bend points used in their calculations.
Understanding the Benefit Start Date Options
While you can start receiving benefits as early as age 62, the SSA allows you to delay claiming until age 70. Delaying benefits results in increased monthly payments, as the SSA applies delayed retirement credits to your benefit amount. However, claiming benefits before FRA leads to a reduction in your monthly payments.
The SSA website provides a helpful tool called “When To Start Benefits” that allows you to explore different claiming scenarios and see how they would impact your monthly benefit amount. This tool is an excellent resource for understanding the potential consequences of claiming benefits at different ages.
Additional Considerations for Benefit Start Dates
- Earnings and Benefit Withholding: If you are under full retirement age and continue working after claiming benefits, the SSA may withhold some of your benefits if your earnings exceed a certain limit. However, once you reach full retirement age, your benefit amount will be recalculated to include any months where your benefits were reduced due to earnings.
- Benefit Payment Schedule: Social Security benefits are typically paid in the month following the month they are due. For example, if you choose to start receiving benefits in May, your first benefit check will arrive in June.
Understanding how your birthdate affects your Social Security benefits is crucial for making informed decisions about your retirement income. By considering the factors discussed above, you can determine the optimal claiming age for your individual circumstances and maximize your benefits. Remember, the SSA’s “When To Start Benefits” tool is a valuable resource for exploring different claiming scenarios and understanding their potential impact on your monthly payments.
Different Days of the Month
Anne was born on May 31, 1935; Bill, Cory, and Demi were born on June 1, 1935, and June 3, 1935. From 1961 to 1991, when they all worked at the same job, their total earnings were Anne on May 30, 1997, Bill on May 31, 1997, Cory on June 1, 1997, and Demi on June 2, 1997 are the dates they reach 62 years old. On June 19, 1997, Anne, Bill, and Cory will start receiving benefits (this is the first month they will be 62 years old for the entire month). Demi can’t wait until July 1997 since they aren’t sixty-two for the whole month of June 1997. Since age 65 is the FRA for all four, the number of reduction months (RF) varies. As of June 1997, Anne, Bill, and Cory each had 35, 36, and 35 RF. In 7/1997 Demi has 35 RF. The full (unreduced for age) benefit amount would be the same, $1207, because all four claimants have the same earnings and turn 62 in the same year. Following entitlement reduction prior to FRA, payments are made in the following ways:
Anne – $972 starting 6/1997
Bill – $972 starting 6/1997
Cory – $965 starting 6/1997
Demi – $972 starting 7/1997
Program Operations Manual System (POMS)
A person’s birthdate determines when they are eligible for benefits as well as how much they will receive. Retirement benefits can start and continue for the duration of the month in which a person turns 62. (See RS 00201. 001C. According to English common law, which Social Security adheres to, an individual reaches a certain age the day before their birthday. (See GN 00302. 400. For instance, on January 14, 2004, a person born on January 15, 2003, will turn one year old. Consequently, if a person’s 62nd birthday falls on the first or second day of a given month, they are considered to be 62 for the full month. Each month of entitlement (MOE) before the month full retirement age (FRA) is reached results in a reduction in retirement benefits. FRA varies depending on the date of birth, from age 65 to age 67 for some individuals. Retirement benefits are computed using two factors:
- • Earnings during the entire working career (RS 00605.018), and
- • The year of attainment of age 62 (RS 00605.005).
NOTE: Achieving FRA is exempt from the throughout the month rule. Regardless of the day of the month, unreduced benefits are payable as of the month the FRA is reached. For instance, if a person was born on June 1, 1935, their FRA was reached on May 31, 2000, and they could start receiving unreduced benefits in May 2000.
Four people who were born over the course of four days will be used in several examples to demonstrate how these variables interact.
When Are Social Security Benefits Paid Each Month?
FAQ
How soon after your birthday do you get your first Social Security check?
How do I choose my Social Security start date?
What determines the date of Social Security benefit?
Does it matter what month you start Social Security?
When do Social Security benefits start?
If you plan to continue working, please read “How Work Affects Your Benefits” beforeyou select the month you want your benefits to start. Note: Social Security benefits are paid in the month after they are due. Example:If you tell us you want your retirement benefits to start in May, you will receive your first benefit check in June.
Can I get Social Security on my birthday?
Join 250,000+ Americans securely storing their important receipts, bills & documents with the SimplyWise app. Only 7% of people can actually receive their Social Security earned income for the calendar month of their birthday, and of that small group, none will collect the benefit during the calendar month of their birthday.
When will I receive my first social security payment?
Otherwise, the first Social Security payment will be for the month of May. But this is only part of the story, since receiving a benefit for the month of your birthday is not the same as receiving a benefit during the month of your birthday.
What is a birth month for Social Security?
If your date of birth falls on the first day of the month, then for Social Security purposes, your Birth Month is actually the month prior to your actual date of birth.