If you’re approaching retirement age, you may have some idea
of when you'd like to start receiving Social Security benefits. However, you
may not know how the application process works or when you need to apply in
order to start receiving benefits at a specific time. Here's what you need to
know about how to apply for Social Security, what information you'll need to
gather, and when to fill out the application.
Three ways to apply
When it comes time to apply for Social Security retirement benefits, you have
three options. You can use the Social Security Administration's online
application process, which should take no more than 30 minutes as long as
you've gathered all of the required information and documentation (more on that
in a bit).
You can also choose to apply by phone, or at your local
Social Security office if you'd rather have someone there to assist with the
process. Whichever method you feel most comfortable using, your application will
be reviewed and processed as soon as all necessary documentation and
information is received. And, the Social Security Administration will notify
you if it turns out you could qualify for higher benefits on your spouse's
record, or if other family members can receive benefits on your work record.
When should you
apply?
In order to apply for Social Security benefits, you need to be at least 61
years and nine months old, but you won't begin receiving benefits until you
turn 62. Once you've reached the minimum age of eligibility (62), you should be
able to apply and start your benefits in the same month, so you really don't
need to rush and apply early unless you foresee any delays with documentation
or have special circumstances. In general, the Social Security Administration
says that you should apply for benefits no more than four months before the
date you want your benefits to start.
Bear in mind that Social Security benefits are paid in the
month after they are due. So, if you start your benefits on your
62nd birthday, you won't start receiving payments until the following
month.
Additionally, if you don't need your Social Security
benefits right way, consider delaying your application in order to
increase your monthly disbursements down the road.
Finally, it's also worth noting that even if you decide to
wait to claim benefits, you should still fill out the benefit application just
to apply for Medicare three months before you turn 65. As long as you've earned
enough Social Security credits (available on your SS statement), you are
eligible for Medicare whether or not you are ready to begin receiving your
retirement benefits. Delaying your application for Medicare can result in
higher premiums, so it's important to do it as soon as possible.
What information will
you need?
In order to apply for Social Security benefits, you'll need to be able to
document some information about your identity and work history. Specifically,
before applying you should have the following information handy:
- Your date and place of birth (which you need to
document with an original birth certificate)
- Your Social Security number
- Your spouse's Social Security number and date of
birth
- Place of marriage
- Date of divorce or death of your spouse, if
applicable
- Names of your unmarried children under 18 (or
18-19 if still in high school), and disabled children under 22
- Your bank account information if you want your
benefits directly deposited
- The name and address of your employers from this
and last year
- The amount of money you earned last year, this
year, and your estimated earnings next year (if any)
- A copy of last year's W-2 or self-employment tax
return
- Your earnings record (a copy of your Social
Security statement has this information)
- Records of any active duty military service
before 1968 (documented with a copy of your military service papers)
If you use the online or phone application, you'll be given
a list of required documents, as well as instructions of how to submit them.
This is not an exhaustive list, and there are many special
circumstances that will require additional documentation. For example, if you
have used a different Social Security number at any point in your life, you'll
need to document that.
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