How to Apply for Social Security Benefits

Before you apply for Social Security benefits, you should review the Social Security website to determine what types of benefits are available and which you might qualify for.

Social Security was initially established in order to offer retirement benefits to workers, but the program has grown tremendously and now Social Security offers disability benefits, death benefits and other family benefits in addition to retirement benefits.

Social Security has a screening tool on it's website - called BEST - that helps you figure out which benefits you could possibly be eligible for, including Medicare, disability, retirement, survivor or even SSI benefits. You'll need to give personal information including your birth date, your income, etc., in order to use this tool.


Once you have identified what benefits you may possibly be considered for, just how do you apply for Social Security benefits?

The Social Security administration offers a number of ways to apply for Social Security. You can apply online at ssa.gov, by visiting your local Social Security office, or by calling the SSA at 1-800-772-1213.

If you prefer to apply online, you can use the online application to sign up for Social Security retirement benefits, spousal benefits or Medicare. You must be within three months of age 62 and planning on beginning your retirement benefits within four months to use the online application. People who are applying for retirement benefits and who are close to age 65 may apply for Medicare at the same time.

You should be prepared to provide personal information such as your age, work history and financial information when you apply for Social Security benefits. You should have the following information available before you begin the online application process:

- Your birth certificate
- Your citizenship or naturalization papers (if applicable)
- Your military service papers (if applicable)
- Your W-2 forms or self employment tax return for the last tax year.

You will also need the following information when completing the application process:

- your birthdate and place of birth
- your Social Security number
- your bank account and routing number (if you are requesting direct deposit for your benefits)
- how much you earned the last two years, including your employer's name and address
- information about your military service
- information about your current and any former spouses, including name, Social Security number and date of birth (or age if you don't know the birthdate)
- your earnings history from your most recent Social Security statement

Choosing the best time to apply is crucial when apply for Social Security retirement benefits. Although you have the option of applying as soon as age 62 (early retirement), your benefits will be reduced. Depending on your other sources of income, how much you have saved for retirement, your overall health, and other factors, applying as soon as you are eligible might not be the most beneficial approach. Furthermore, when you choose to start Social Security could impact your family and their benefits as well.

There a variety of variables that could influence your Social Security benefits. If you plan on continuing to work, your benefits may be reduced depending on how much you earn. If you were employed by the government or in a position where you did not contribute to Social Security, your benefits may be reduced. You should read about the windfall elimination provision or the government pension offset if you held a job that wasn't covered by Social Security at any time during your working years.


You may also be entitled to benefits based on other people's records. For example, you might qualify for benefits based on your spouse's earnings. Or, if you are divorced or widowed, you might qualify for benefits based on your ex-spouse or deceased spouse's Social Security records. If you qualify based on your own record, you'll receive that amount first. However, should you qualify for a higher amount based on your spouse's record, or your ex-spouse's or deceased spouse's record, your total benefit will be a combination of benefits that equals the higher amount.

If you would like to know how much you can expect to receive from Social Security, but you're not ready to submit an application for benefits yet, the Social Security website offers several calculators to help you estimate your retirement benefit at socialsecurity.gov

Learn how to get the maximum Social Security retirement benefits you are entitled to, including when to start taking benefits, what Social Security survivor benefits are, when and how to apply for Social Security, and much more at http://www.socialsecurityretirementincome.com