Hi Larry,

You have spoken to this question before, but my experience with SS causes me to ask about it again. I turn 70 mid February 2023. I wish to apply for max SS benefits based on being 70. The SS on-line app offers me the option of "benefit start date" staring with 6/2022 - 4/2023, in one month intervals. For max benefits that come with age 70, which one do I pick...2/2023, 3/2023, or 4/2023? I called SS THREE times and got different answers three times.

One agent said apply in Feb and get a check in March. Another said SS does not start the clock ticking on being eligible for benefits until the month after my B-day month of February, which would be March, and then a check arrives in April. The third answer was unclear.

I just want the maximum benefit that comes with being 70 AND I want it asap. I am thinking of selecting 4/2023 to ensure I get the max benefit, and hope SS pays me for any Delayed Retirement Credits, if I am due any, in the event 4/2023 was unnecessarily late to start benefits. I wonder what "start benefits" even means. The month a payment comes in, or the month prior? It is incredibly confusing with no clear answers.

Thank you.

Hi. You should choose February 2023 (i.e. the month in which you reach age 70) as your benefit start date. Your first payment will then be due in March 2023, as Social Security pays benefits a month behind. If you choose any month after the month you reach age 70 as your benefit start date, you'll simply be giving up month(s) of benefits for no gain in your monthly benefit rate.

Best, Jerry