There’s an Unexpected Surge in Social Security Benefit Claims
Category: Social Security
June 15, 2025 — It has always been the case that many more retirees claim their Social Security benefits at the earliest opportunity. The earliest possible age for claiming is 62, but only a small percentage delay until they are eligible for their maximum benefit at age 70. Some experts believe that the Trump inauguration is behind a jump in earlier claims. That is because between January and May the number of claims was nearly 18% higher than during the same period last year.
Jack Smalligan, policy expert at the Urban Institute is concerned. The surge is worrying, he says, “because for most individuals, it’s financially smart for them to postpone claiming as long as they’re financially able to.” That’s because the longer you wait to claim your monthly benefit, the more it grows.
Reasons for Earlier Claims
The Social Security Administration has stated some reasons why recipients are opting to file for benefits at a younger age. Those include spousal benefit re-claims, an increase in baby boomers, and a change in pension laws as they affect Social Security. What makes more sense to us is a now deleted statement by Leland Dudek, who was then the agency’s acting commissioner. In a now deleted recording he stated to another official “…that fear mongering has driven people to claim benefits earlier, because they’re afraid they’re not going to claim benefits at all.”
Other beneficiaries and experts agree with Dudek. There is fear that the Trump Administration will push for changes that will reduce benefits, change eligibility, or not work to improve the system’s financial health. All of the efforts from DOGE have increased people’s fears. And finally, the date when the Social Security Trust Funds are exhausted and major benefit cuts are a necessity (2034 or thereabouts), draws ever near. Since it seems unlikely that Congress or the President has any interest in fixing that major problem, many people are apparently deciding that it is time to claim and get whatever they can before the money runs out.
See NPR – “Why There Is an Unexpected Surge in People Claiming Social Security“.
Comments: How about you? If you haven’t claimed already, are you more likely to apply earlier rather than later? Post your thoughts in the Comments section below.
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Comments on "There’s an Unexpected Surge in Social Security Benefit Claims"
Admin says:
Some factors that could lead to people's sense that they should claim early and get what they can now are the proposed actions of Congress. While popular, the end of the Windfall Elimination Provision has increased payouts to former government employees, thus drawing down reserves faster than expected. Also, if taxes on Social Security benefits are reduced or eliminated that will reduce the amount of FICA taxes going into the SS system.
Carol says:
I am one of these people. I had planned for years to wait until 70 (June ‘26) to start my social security, almost as a badge of success to reward my hard work and frugality, as crazy as that may sound. Watching the layoffs and DOGE infiltration of the SS database made me decide in March to submit my application to start my payments next month because I am worried that things may be too dysfunctional in another year’s time. I have my fingers crossed that a check will arrive next month and in the right amount.
Admin says:
The Washington Post reported that Social Security Agency will no longer publish the number of callers waiting on hold and the number of callers waiting on callback. Callers will no longer be informed of wait times while on hold, callback wait times, and processing times for benefits,