Applying for Social Security Retirement Benefits

Did you know that the Social Security Administration (SSA) has made it convenient for those close to retirement and those planning retirement to obtain useful information, download publications, and gain insight into frequently asked questions through the Social Security Administration’s website (www.ssa.gov)? What’s more, you can even apply for retirement benefits online-no need to wait on the phone or to schedule an appointment in person. Advance planning for claiming retirement benefits is helpful so it is less likely you will run out of money in retirement. As such, seeking knowledge through the SSA website and/or with the help of a retirement specialist can help ease your mind as retirement approaches.

How and When to Apply for Social Security Retirement Benefits

The easiest way to apply for Social Security retirement benefits is to use the online application. You can create an account and apply for benefits up to four months before the date you wish for your benefits to begin. Applying online enables individuals to start and finish an application at a later date without losing information. Furthermore, using the confirmation number, you can check the status of an online application after it has been submitted. Retirement benefits can take six weeks to be approved.

For those individuals considering claiming social security benefits early, the earliest retirement age is 62. Full retirement age, the age at which individuals can earn 100% of the benefit amount calculated from lifetime earnings history, is increasing gradually until it reaches age 67. The best age to begin to claim social security benefits will differ from one person to the next. Health status, financial situation, and family needs, among other factors, will influence the age at which social security benefits should begin. Claiming social security benefits early will result in smaller payments over a longer period of time while delaying benefits to full retirement age of 70, will yield the largest payments over a shorter amount of time.

Please note that if you are applying for survivor benefits, online services are not an option. Survivor benefits can only be applied for in person or over the phone. To find the SSA office closest to you, you can visit www.ssa.gov/locator where you can enter your zip code to locate a local SSA office. If you are calling the SSA from within the in US, you can reach the SSA via phone at 800.772.1213. Otherwise, if you are entitled to benefits but are living outside of the US, you can reach the SSA via phone at 410.965.0160.

Documentation Needed to Apply for Social Security Retirement Benefits

Whether you choose to apply online, in person, or over the phone, you will need to gather the documentation and information that may be needed in order to apply for Social Security retirement benefits. Following is a list of the items (although not exhaustive) that may be requested:

• Social Security Card Number
• Original birth certificate (evidencing the date and place of your birth) or proof of legal statement if you were not born in the US
• Recent W-2 or self-employment tax return
• Start and end dates from jobs you held in the last two years
• Income from self-employment activities you received in the last two years
• Marital history-including name of current spouse and any former spouse, spousal social security number, spousal date of birth, and spousal age
• Number and names of unmarried children under the age of 18 and enrolled in secondary school
• The month you want retirement benefits to begin
• Your financial institution bank and routing numbers

Delaying an application due to lack of documentation can cause you to lose some benefits. Therefore, even if you don’t have all of the documentation needed to apply for social security retirement benefits, you are encouraged to complete the application and submit documents at a later date. In some instances, the SSA may be able to help you get the information they need to support your retirement benefit request.