Retirement Social Security

Most Retirees Pick the Wrong Month to Start Social Security - Here's the One That Pays More

Most retirees focus on claiming age, but the specific month you start Social Security can determine whether you receive — or lose — an entire benefit payment.

By Adam Palasciano , Edited by Andrea Basse

Updated April 5, 2026

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Most people deciding when to claim Social Security benefits focus on age — such as 62, full retirement age (FRA), or 70. But there's a lesser-known rule that can quietly affect how much money you receive.

The specific month you choose as your benefit start date can determine whether you receive an additional month of payments or permanently miss one.

Understanding how Social Security calculates eligibility by month — not just by age — can help retirees avoid a costly mistake.

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Why the month you claim Social Security matters

Social Security retirement benefits are paid one month in arrears, meaning payments arrive the month after the benefit is earned. For example, benefits for June are paid in July, and benefits for July arrive in August.

Because of this structure, the month you select as your "benefit start month" determines when the payment cycle begins. That decision affects both your first payment and the total number of payments you may receive over time.

However, there's another rule layered on top of this timing. Social Security considers whether you were the qualifying age for the entire month, not just part of it, which can shift your first eligible benefit month. Many retirees may not realize this distinction when submitting their application.

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The birthday rule most retirees misunderstand

The Social Security Administration calculates benefits on a monthly basis and requires that you be the qualifying age for the entire month in order to receive benefits for that month.

For most people, this means the first month they can receive benefits is the month after their birthday month. For example, someone who turns 62 in June generally becomes eligible for their first benefit month in July. Because benefits are paid one month later, the July benefit would typically be paid in August.

There is one small exception. If your birthday falls on the first day of a month, Social Security treats you as reaching that age on the last day of the previous month, which may allow you to begin benefits earlier than others born later in the month.

Why waiting until age 70 requires careful timing

It's often recommended to delay Social Security until age 70 because monthly benefits increase through delayed retirement credits. These credits increase benefits by about 8% per year after FRA until age 70.

However, a common mistake occurs when retirees wait one month too long to start their benefits. Some people may mistakenly request their start date as the month after their 70th birthday. That delay does not increase their benefit amount because delayed retirement credits stop accumulating once a worker reaches age 70. Waiting longer simply means giving up a month of benefits permanently.

For retirees receiving higher benefits — sometimes $2,000 to $4,000 or more per month — missing that payment can represent a meaningful financial loss.

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Choosing the right start month could mean thousands more

Because Social Security payments continue for life, the timing of your first payment matters more than many retirees realize. Missing one month might not sound significant, but it can still represent thousands of dollars over time.

For example, if a retiree eligible for a $3,000 monthly benefit accidentally delays their claim by one extra month, they permanently lose that $3,000 payment. While it does not affect the ongoing benefit amount, the missed payment cannot be recovered later.

Tax timing can also influence your claiming month

Another subtle factor retirees sometimes consider is tax timing. Social Security benefits may be partially taxable depending on your overall income level.

According to the IRS, up to 85% of Social Security benefits are taxable if you file as an individual and your combined income exceeds $34,000 or if you're filing jointly and your combined income exceeds $44,000.

Because payments arrive one month after the benefit month, retirees with late-year birthdays may sometimes shift their start month slightly to control the number of payments that occur in a particular tax year. For instance, someone turning 70 in December could consider starting benefits in January instead, which may move their first payment into the following tax year. This strategy does not increase benefits, but it may simplify income planning for retirees managing tax brackets or Medicare premium thresholds.

Bottom line

Many retirees may believe the biggest Social Security decision is whether to claim at age 62, at FRA, or at age 70. But the specific month you select can also influence whether you receive every payment you're entitled to.

Understanding the birthday rule, the one-month payment delay, and the importance of selecting the correct start month can help you avoid missing thousands of dollars in lifetime benefits — and ultimately maximize your retirement savings.