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Ask Rusty: I’m Turning 70 Soon. When Should I Apply for Social Security?
Dear Rusty: I have a simple question: I will turn 70 [soon], and want to start my Social Security (SS) benefits in [the same month I do that]. [How soon] should I file my claim? Have there been delays with the reductions in Social Security Administration (SSA) staff? Thank you for your help. Signed: Ready […]
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Dear Rusty: I have a simple question: I will turn 70 [soon], and want to start my Social Security (SS) benefits in [the same month I do that]. [How soon] should I file my claim? Have there been delays with the reductions in Social Security Administration (SSA) staff? Thank you for your help.
Signed: Ready to Claim
Dear Ready to Claim: The SSA allows you to submit your application for benefits up to four months prior to the month you wish benefits to start (you will specify your desired benefit-start-month on the application). That will give the SSA plenty of time to get your benefits started on time. Remember, though, that the agency pays benefits in the month following the month earned, so if you start benefits in September, you will receive your first SS payment in October (on the third Wednesday). And, since you will be turning 70, you are entitled to full benefits effective from the first of that month. Congratulations on choosing a strategy that maximizes your monthly payment. By claiming at age 70, your monthly SS benefit will be about 31 percent more than it would have been at your full retirement age (FRA), and you will get that higher monthly amount for the rest of your life.
Regarding your question about possible delays, SSA staff reductions have not included “front line” agents (those who handle applications), so the recent staff adjustments should not likely delay processing your application. Although some back-office staffing turmoil currently exists at the SSA, it has been moving more people to front-line positions to try to improve service. Just be aware, however, that it normally takes the SSA about two to three months to process new applications, which is why the agency allows applications up to four months in advance. You will specify the month you wish benefits to start on your application. In any case, although your application should be fine if you submit it [now], rest assured that the SSA will pay you starting with the month you requested, even if it must do so retroactively.
FYI, you can apply for Social Security in person by making a telephone appointment to do so at (800) 772-1213, or you can apply online at www.ssa.gov/apply. To apply online, you need to have first created your “my Social Security” online account at www.ssa.gov/myaccount. A link to a video explaining the online application process is available at: www.ssa.gov/hlp/video/iclaim_r01.htm.
Russell Gloor is a national Social Security advisor at the AMAC Foundation, the nonprofit arm of the Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC). The 2.4-million-member AMAC says it is a senior advocacy organization. Send your questions to: ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org.
Author’s note: This article is intended for information purposes only and does not represent legal or financial guidance. It presents the opinions and interpretations of the AMAC Foundation’s staff, trained, and accredited by the National Social Security Association (NSSA). The NSSA and the AMAC Foundation and its staff are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other governmental entity.

TC3, Cornell CALS sign new articulation agreement
DRYDEN, N.Y. — Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3) and Cornell University on Thursday signed a new articulation agreement that provides TC3 graduates a direct-transfer path

State Fair launches Fairgrounds alert system
GEDDES, N.Y. — The New York State Fair says it’s launching a Fairgrounds alert system for the upcoming 2025 Fair. The state is encouraging fairgoers

Binghamton University received nearly 75,000 applications for fall 2025, up from a year ago
VESTAL, N.Y. — Binghamton University says it received a record 74,725 applications this year for fall 2025 admission, which is up from the 61,700 received for fall 2024. The 2025 applications include 61,200 first-year, 4,575 transfer, and more than 8,950 graduate-student applications, the school said in the Aug. 5 announcement. The new academic year is
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VESTAL, N.Y. — Binghamton University says it received a record 74,725 applications this year for fall 2025 admission, which is up from the 61,700 received for fall 2024.
The 2025 applications include 61,200 first-year, 4,575 transfer, and more than 8,950 graduate-student applications, the school said in the Aug. 5 announcement.
The new academic year is just days away with move-in days set for Aug. 15-17. Classes for all of Binghamton’s approximately 18,600 students begin Aug. 19.
“Another record-breaking year of applications makes it clear that the University is growing its reputation as a desirable destination for incoming students,” Binghamton University President Harvey Stenger said. “Binghamton’s commitment to academic excellence, its ability to prepare students for graduate school and careers, and the quality of its physical facilities have made the University one of the premier public institutions in the nation. My congratulations to Binghamton’s newest students as well as the faculty and staff who have helped the University grow bigger, get better and attract brilliant, talented and high-performing students.”
Binghamton says it continues to have a “diverse class,” with the geographic distribution reflecting New York state’s population. About 37 percent of new students are from Upstate New York; 5 percent are from Broome and Tioga counties; 21 percent are from Long Island; and 24 percent are from New York City.
More than 3,160 first-year students, 850 transfer students, and 1,300 new graduate students are expected to join the Binghamton community this year. Those new students will take part in a Binghamton tradition when they form the shape of the Binghamton University “B” logo for a class photo on the afternoon of Aug. 16, the school said.

Mary Lemoniades recently joined Canandaigua National Bank as a VP, community office manager, for the bank’s new Liverpool–area office that is expected to open in

Renee Dellas has joined Canandaigua National Bank as VP, commercial lender III. Dellas brings 30-plus years of banking experience within the Syracuse market. With past

Mark Kay has joined Canandaigua National Bank as a VP, commercial services officer and will help establish and grow commercial-lending relationships in the Syracuse area.

Jeff Eades recently joined Canandaigua National Bank as VP, business banker II, to help build and grow the bank’s presence in the Syracuse area. With

Rima Arnold has joined has joined Canandaigua National Bank as a VP, community office manager, for the bank’s new downtown Syracuse branch location at Washington
Berkshire Bank parent company to merge with another Boston–based bank, change names
BOSTON — Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE: BHLB) — parent company of Berkshire Bank, which has a significant presence in the Mohawk Valley and Capital
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