If you are retiring and planning to file for social security to claim your benefits, you may be wondering when it is best to do so. Individuals planning to retire should file for social security benefits two to three months prior to the date of retirement, to ensure your first social security payment arrives shortly after you have stopped working. Do not delay in filing for retirement benefits, since retroactive benefits are available only for six months prior to your filing date, assuming you are eligible during that six-month period. The same rules apply to someone applying for survivor benefits. Both types of benefits generally take as long as 90 days, sometimes more, to process. In the case of disability benefits, your application can take longer than 90-120 days to process.