1513.1Can you be entitled to benefits retroactively?
You may be entitled to monthly benefits retroactively for months before the month you filed an application for benefits. For example,full retirement age claims and survivor claims may be paid for upto six months retroactively. In certain cases, benefits involvingdisability up to 12 months may be paid retroactively. (This is not true of the black lung benefits (see Chapter 22), medical insurance (see Chapter 24), or SSI (see Chapter 21).)
1513.2How is the retroactive entitlement date determined?
You are entitled to benefits beginning the first month in the retroactive period that you meet all requirements (except for thefiling of an application) for entitlement. For example, suppose youreach FRA in March 2008 and you are fully insured. You do not filean application for retirement insurance benefits until March 2009.In this case, you may be entitled retroactively beginning with themonth of September 2008 (six months before you filed an application).
1513.3Are retroactive benefits payable if it results in a permanentreduction of the monthly benefit amount?
Retroactive benefits for months prior to attainment of FRA arenot payable to a retired worker, spouse, or widow(er) if this resultsin a permanent reduction of the monthly benefit amount. However,this limitation does not apply if you are a surviving spouse or surviving divorced spouse under a disability, and you are not yet age 61 inthe month of filing. You may possibly be entitled to benefits asa disabled widow(er) in the retroactive period.
1513.4Is a widow(er) or surviving divorced spouse entitled to benefitsin the month of the worker's death?
If you are a widow(er) or surviving divorced spouse and youfile an application in the month after the month of the worker'sdeath, you may be entitled to benefits in the month of the worker'sdeath. In order to be entitled in the month of the worker's death,you must be otherwise eligible in that month.
1513.5Is a widow(er) or surviving divorced spouse entitled to retroactivehospital insurance benefits?
If you are a widow(er) or surviving divorced spouse applyingfor hospital insurance benefits because of a disability, you maybe deemed entitled retroactively for up to 12 months prior to themonth of filing, even if monthly benefits are not payable becauseentitlement does not exist before age 60. You must meet all otherconditions of entitlement.
1513.6Can you be paid retroactively even if you are no longer eligiblefor monthly benefits?
Even if you file an application and are no longer eligible for monthly benefits, you may be paid benefits for the period beginningsix months (or 12 months in certain cases involving disability) beforethe month you file the application if you meet all eligibility factorsin the retroactive period. Payment ends with the month before themonth you are no longer eligible.
1513.7Are benefits payable if a claimant dies before filing an application?
If a person requests benefits in a written statement (see §1509) but dies beforefiling the valid application, benefits may be payable for the monthsin the period before death. Benefits for the months before the claimant'sdeath may also be paid to a survivor whose right to benefits dependedupon the claimant's entitlement to benefits.
Last Revised: Apr. 19, 2010
