I started my SSI application on my 62nd birthday and have not completed or submitted my application. Recently I read further into the letter and found disturbing verbiage that states:
"We may use 7/27/17 as the official date of your application. In order to use 7/27/17, we must receive the signed application by 01/28/2018 or you may lose Social Security benefits." How is this possible, if I am still trying to determine if I want to take early benefits or wait , when I haven't even submitted a completed application?

Hi,

What Social Security is trying to tell you in the statement you quote is that you have established a protective filing date by starting an online application. Protective filing dates expire after 6 months, so if you don't file your application within that timeframe you will lose your option to claim benefits for any months prior to a) the month in which you actually submit your application or b) establish a new protective filing date.

For example, say you turn age 62 on 7/27/17 and start an online application for retirement benefits on that date. If you submitted your application by 1/27/2018 you could claim benefits starting as early as August 2017. You couldn't claim benefits for July 2017 because you must be at least age 62 for a full month in order to be eligible for retirement benefits. However, if you submit your application more than 6 months after the date you started the application you could not claim reduced benefits for any months prior to the month in which you actually submit your application.

In your case, Social Security is apparently allowing you an extra day because the 6 month protective filing deadline falls on a weekend. You are not obligated to submit the application that you started, and not doing so won't have any adverse effect on your future filing options other than as noted above.

You may want to strongly consider using the maximization software available on this website in order to explore your filing options and determine your best strategy for claiming benefits.

Best, Jerry