Question: I retired Dec. 31. I had expected to receive my monthly Social Security payments starting in January, at the end of the month at the latest. However, I received a letter stating that I would receive my January check Feb. 28. When I finally called someone at the Social Security department, she told me that “it’s like working. You work and you get your paycheck later.” I tried explaining that when I retired, I expected a check in January, not one month later. That’s why I registered as soon as allowed, so this wouldn’t happen. I’m sure all retirees expect their first Social Security retirement payment in the first month of retirement, not at the end of the second month. She said all recipients have their first check one month late. … We are retired and depend on receiving our fixed income on time. … Can you please warn all potential retirees that they will not receive their first Social Security benefit in their first month of retiring? In my case I received mine one day before the third month.

Answer: The Social Security Administration’s website advises people to apply for retirement benefits three months before they want the payments to begin, as you did. The homepage FAQ doesn’t mention, however, that no matter the stated preference, the first payment won’t arrive until after the retiree has been eligible for a full month — a fact that you found out the hard way and which a spokeswoman explained when we followed up with agency directly.

Jane Yamamoto-Burigsay, a public affairs specialist for Social Security, explained:

“When you apply for Security benefits, you may be required to submit certain documents. After you have submitted everything required, you should receive your first check in about one month. This is the average processing time. After you have become entitled to Social Security benefits, you will receive your checks on a monthly basis. The law has always said that you must meet all the eligibility requirements for Social Security benefits for an entire month to be eligible for a payment for that month. That is why Social Security benefits are paid a month in arrears. For example, you would receive your January benefit in February. This is to make sure a person is eligible for a benefit for the prior month.”

She also explained the payment disbursement schedule:

“Generally, the day of the month you receive your benefit payment depends on the birth date of the person for whose earnings record you receive benefits. For example, if you get benefits as a retired worker, we base your benefit payment date on your birth date. If you receive benefits based on your spouse’s work, we base your benefits payment date on your spouse’s birth date.”

Benefits are paid the second Wednesday of each month for retired workers whose birthdays fall from the first to the 10th of any month, the third Wednesday for birthdays from the 11th to the 20th and the fourth Wednesday for birthdays from the 21st to the 31st.

However, that disbursement schedule doesn’t apply to beneficiaries who were already receiving benefits by April 30, 1997, or who had filed for them by that date; those folks continue to receive payments on the third of every month.

You can see the calendar of 2016 payments at 808ne.ws/28JTS9U. If you don’t receive your monthly payment by the expected date, allow three additional mailing days before contacting Social Security.

For additional questions, call SSA’s national toll-free number at 800‑772‑1213 (800-325-0778, for the deaf or hard-of-hearing) or check socialsecurity.gov.

Mahalo

We’re from Hilo and go to Oahu monthly for my daughter’s medical care. On May 19 we went to Queen’s Physicians Office Building III for a doctor’s appointment. When we returned to the car … I found a note on my rental car. Someone had found my iPhone and my wallet/cigarette case near the car earlier. My case had my ID, plus credit and debit cards. The note said to go to the pharmacy as they had turned it in there. I would like to shout out a great huge “thank you” to this person, who did not leave their name at the pharmacy. God bless you. — Grateful

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