Hi, I would like to know how far in advance do I need to apply for social security benefits if my 65th birthday is in February 2024? As I will be applying for Medicare in November of 2023. Thank you!

Hi. Filing your application for Medicare in November 2023 should work fine if you'll reach age 65 in February 2024.

Assuming that your question refers to applying for monthly Social Security benefits, you don't necessarily need to apply in advance. You can apply for benefits as late as the month you want them to start without losing any benefits. However, Social Security allows you to file applications up to 4 months in advance, and filing early increases the chances of your first payment not being delayed.

Your best filing strategy depends on numerous different variables, though, so before applying you should strongly consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to fully compare and analyze all of your various options so that you can determine your best strategy for maximizing your benefits.

Best, Jerry