I'm late in applying for my SS early retirement. I plan to retire 12/31/2021 and had hoped to start receiving payments in January 2022 but I neglected to file in time. If I still apply with 12/31 as my retirement date but I don't start receiving payments for several months, will I get any payments retroactive to 12/31/2021?

Hi. It doesn't sound to me like you're late. You can apply any time though January 31 2022 and still claim benefits effective with January 2022. And, yes, if your claim isn't processed timely then Social Security would pay any back pay due when your claim does get processed. Just an FYI, if you claim benefits effective with January, your first payment would then be due in February. Social Security pays benefits a month behind.

However, when you claim benefits prior to your full retirement age (FRA), you can't claim benefits for any months earlier than the month of your application. So you couldn't, for example, apply in February and claim benefits retroactively to January.

Before you apply, though, 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