Secrets for contacting FBU?

FYI, I've today received a response to an email I sent to the FBU in early June.  Almost 3 months.

Yay!!

So for me to want to my SS to start early February 2025 I will apply in November through the FBU.

Yay!!

So for me to want to my SS to start early February 2025 I will apply in November through the FBU.

I saw that you'd mentioned Feb and I meant to reply ... but didn't obviously.  If you want to start receiving your SS in Feb, I'd get in touch with them right now.  BTW, I contacted them by sending a message via their website.  In your message you could mention when you're entitled/when you want to start taking it.  I did it a few years ago - sent the message in early August, received a phone call (I think) in December, which was just to arrange an "interview" in January.  I sent the message in August because I became entitled at the start of Oct, so I thought I'd done it in plenty of time.  Ha!  If the response time to emails is anything to go by they are even slower now.

BTW, I think I mentioned before to be aware re having backdated payments in a lump sum - because it could put you in a higher tax bracket if you're not careful.

Just as an update, I still haven't heard back from FBU - message sent over two months ago (via their online message function; I forgot to record when I sent it, but definitely over 2 months ago). As far as calling FBU is concerned, I've given up completely.

I sent an email to them today requesting the start of my SS benefits.  I see that they haven't changed their auto-reply message saying they will be in touch within 10 working days 

I will update this thread as things progress, or not.

Thank you for contacting the Federal Benefits Unit at the U.S. Embassy in the United Kingdom. We will respond to your inquiry within ten (10) business days. Please do not follow-up on your inquiry unless you have not received a response within ten (10) business days. We respectfully request that you avoid sending multiple emails as this may cause delays.

I sent an email to them today requesting the start of my SS benefits.  I see that they haven't changed their auto-reply message saying they will be in touch within 10 working days 

I will update this thread as things progress, or not.

Good luck and don't hold your breath!  It'll be interesting to hear how you get on because my wife is now entitled to spousal benefit.

Good luck and don't hold your breath!  It'll be interesting to hear how you get on because my wife is now entitled to spousal benefit.

I've just had a response to the email I sent on Aug 3rd.

I've just had a response to the email I sent on Aug 3rd.

That’s about the same response time my wife had a few years ago. Promising.

That’s about the same response time my wife had a few years ago. Promising.

Mind you, that's merely a response to a query I sent about my WEP.  And all they did was send me a form.  If you're thinking of applying for your US state pension, I doubt whether you'll get a meaningful response within 6 months - and they'll need to schedule your "interview".  But who knows - they may have improved.

Following this thread with interest, so disappointing to read about the decline of the FBU who were so helpful to my wife when she applied for her SS in 2020.  I will be applying for my SS towards the end of the year so am obviously likely to be very frustrated at the lack of response from the FBU. I wonder if I would be better off applying online through my SSA account instead of going through the FBU.

Were you able to apply through the SSA account? Online application would be so much easier. 
I have been calling and calling and same experience as others here. I filled out the contact form, but also no response.

Were you able to apply through the SSA account? Online application would be so much easier. 
I have been calling and calling and same experience as others here. I filled out the contact form, but also no response.

Yes I did apply online which worked great but since Nov 12 the status is “waiting for review by an agent in London “

Others in the USA I know have also applied online for SS and it always goes to a review by an agent in their area.