A Major Change Is Coming to Social Security in March

The decision to file for Social Security is a big one in the context of retirement. That's because seniors' monthly benefits hinge on when they sign up.

It's not uncommon to have questions about the Social Security benefits claiming process. It's also not uncommon to find the process of signing up intimidating.

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Thanks to a big change coming in March, though, incoming Social Security recipients may find it harder to sign up for benefits. Here's what you need to know.

The process is being centralized

Currently, Social Security benefit claims and appointments are handled at the local level. Seniors can make an appointment at their local field office and work with an agent to file a benefits claim or get their questions answered.

Beginning March 7, though, the Social Security Administration (SSA) is changing how it handles cases. Specifically, the agency is moving over to a National Appointment Scheduling Calendar and National Workload Management.

The reason for these changes largely boils down to reduced staffing within the SSA. But the concern is that by centralizing these systems, seniors could lose out on the expertise of local employees who may be better well-versed in local and state rules.

Put another way, starting March 7, people who call into the SSA needing help may be matched with employees who aren't equipped to handle their specific needs. And it's unclear as to what happens in situations like those.

Aside from that, there's concern that seniors will face roadblocks once the new system is implemented, such as:

• Having a harder time getting appointments.
• Facing longer wait times when calling.
• Having claims take longer to process, forcing recipients to wait longer to get their benefits.

How to prepare for this big change

If you're gearing up to claim Social Security, it's important to understand how things are changing very soon. To prepare, plan ahead for appointments and aim to use online tools when possible. Creating an account on the SSA's website might make it easier for you to file for benefits.

Of course, it's also important to make sure you're truly ready for benefits before you file, since your claiming age could have a big impact on your monthly checks.

Make sure to read up on different filing strategies so you know what options you have. And understand the financial implications of different filing ages so you're able to claim benefits with more confidence -- even if it takes longer to do so because of the aforementioned change.

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