If your birthday is on any day but the 2nd, when do your benefits start?

Benefits typically start on the 1st of the following month if your birthday falls on any day other than the 2nd. This is rooted in how Social Security benefits are calculated and administered. When an individual files for benefits, the entitlement date is determined by the month in which they turn 62 for retirement benefits or by other specific eligibility criteria related to disability or survivor benefits.

If your birthday is on a day other than the 2nd, the Social Security Administration has a policy where the first benefit payment will be issued for the month following your birthday. For instance, if a person’s birthday is on the 15th of a month, their benefits would not start until the 1st of the next month, ensuring that all procedures and calculations are completed accurately before the first payment is issued.

Understanding this timeline is crucial for financial planning, as it helps individuals anticipate when they will receive their first payment. Other options suggest starting benefits at different times, which do not align with the established rules of the Social Security program regarding the timing of benefit disbursement relative to one's birthday.