Turning 62 in 2026? A Growing Problem at the SSA Could Delay Your First Check by Months

If you plan to claim Social Security senior benefits when you turn 62, your first check might arrive later than expected. There's more than one factor that could contribute to the slowed arrival of your checks, so it's a good idea to plan ahead and have other finances in place so you don't rely on that initial check.

As you near age 62, here's what you should know about claiming Social Security and the potential challenges you might encounter.

Claiming Social Security at age 62

You may claim Social Security benefits once you turn 62, but the Social Security Administration (SSA) states that you must be at least 62 for the entire month to receive your benefits. In other words, anyone born on the third of the month or later won't be eligible until the month after their birthday. For example, if you turn 62 on October 28th, you can't claim benefits for October and instead need to claim in November. Plus, since the SSA pays benefits the month after they're due, the actual deposit arrives a month later, so you would receive your first benefits payment in December.

Keep in mind that while you may claim benefits at age 62, your benefits may be reduced by a small percentage for each month you claim them before you reach full retirement age. For most individuals, full retirement age is between 66 and 67. It's important to consider your unique situation when deciding if claiming benefits at age 62 is right for you.

Getting help with a new Social Security application

It's become harder to get help with a new Social Security application. The SSA established a goal to cut field office traffic by 50% in 2026, which would limit field office visits to 15 million. From October 2024 through September 2025, field offices saw more than 31.6 million visitors.

While the SSA's plan included slashing field office traffic, it also included goals to schedule appointments within 30 days and to reduce field office wait times to 20 minutes.

Social Security office delays and closings

Delays and office closings have also become an issue. When Trump overhauled the federal government, thousands of Social Security employees were terminated, and many offices were closed.

The SSA's Office Closings and Emergencies website currently lists several offices that temporarily may provide service only by appointment or may be closed to the public. Many of these offices are only offering phone service on certain days. The website indicates that the issues may be due to construction or the inability to allow people to wait outside of the offices. Information on when the offices might open again is not provided.

The shift toward tech support

The Trump administration has been pushing for increased use of technology to access SSA services, rather than relying on field visits to SSA offices. The SSA's Office Closings and Emergencies website indicates that the SSA.gov website is "the best way to get help." Through the site, users may create a my Social Security account, which they may use to get a benefits estimate, check eligibility, check an application status, and replace a Social Security card.

While the SSA does offer digital tools to support beneficiaries, those tools may not be easily accessible to everyone, especially for seniors who aren't comfortable with technology.

The problem with the plan

The SSA's plan to encourage more beneficiaries to use its digital tools may be flawed, at least according to Chris Delaney, a Social Security claims specialist. Delaney told My Northwest that his office had seen an increase in foot traffic as the population of older Americans reliant on Social Security benefits increases.

"A lot of people can't get past the ID verification on login.gov, and just because they have a cellphone doesn't mean they're capable of creating an online account," Delaney said. "Having people in the office when they need it is important."

How to sign up for Social Security

Be prepared for signing up for Social Security to take longer than you might anticipate, so consider applying for benefits early. You may apply up to four months before you wish to start receiving benefits.

You may apply for your benefits by creating a my Social Security account, or you may try to make an appointment with an agent at your local Social Security office. Phone support is also available at 1-800-772-1213.

Once you've applied, the SSA should send you a letter confirming if your benefits are approved or if you need to provide extra information. After your benefits are processed, it usually takes at least a month before you receive your first check. Since the SSA has experienced staffing cuts, processing times might be extended.

Bottom line

Plan ahead and prepare for delays in your Social Security, and don't assume that you'll receive your first check the month you turn 62. Instead, work to build up your savings so you're not immediately dependent on your benefits.

Consider checking in with a financial planner to go over your retirement strategy and check up on your retirement readiness, too.