Going Online with Social Security Isn’t Hard Work
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: November 7, 2016
Summer is just a memory. Long gone is the day when you fired up the grill with family and friends in the backyard on Labor Day. It’s time to put away the shorts and bring out the jackets.
When you’re raking the leaves, remember that the best part of labor isn’t the single day off you get each year, but the Social Security retirement benefits you earn through the years that you work.
And, just as you choose what kind of work to do over a lifetime, you can choose how you wish to file for your retirement benefits. While some may prefer to apply in person at their local Social Security office, an increasing number of retirees are finding it easier and more convenient to claim their benefits by retiring online at www.socialsecurity.gov. In fact, more than half of all retirees now file for their Social Security retirement benefits online!
When you file for your retirement benefits online, there’s no need to fight traffic getting to a Social Security office, because you can apply from the comfort of your home or office. The process of applying for retirement benefits can take as little as 15 minutes, but if you have to go back to work, you can save your application and return to it later.
If you’re close to retirement, you may want to take advantage of our retirement planner at www.socialsecurity.gov/planners/retire, where you can get detailed information about your Social Security retirement benefits, and what you may want to consider as you prepare for your future.
In addition, you should check out our Retirement Estimator at www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator, which will give you an instant, personalized estimate of your future benefits. You can plug in different ages and scenarios to help you make a decision on retirement even if it’s many years way.
At Social Security, our highest priority is protecting the privacy and security of the personal information we maintain on you and almost every American so you can rest assured that doing business online with us is both safe and secure.
Social Security has the online services to help at www.socialsecurity.gov, whether you are retiring now, or whether you have many more season changes in your future.
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Tags: online services, retirement benefits
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Doug Walker, Deputy Commissioner, Communications
Deputy Commissioner, Office of Communications
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Chris G.
Trying to apply for social security benefits
not disability. Have tried a number of times
online and it automatically goes to the disability form. I turn 62 June 6 1959 (less than 4 months away) Not sure what to do I believe I
an selecting the correct prompt
thanks
V.V.
Hi Chris, thanks for using our blog. The minimum age for Social Security retirement benefits is 62. To begin receiving reduced retirement benefits at 62, you are required to be age 62 for the entire month. For SSA purposes, individuals born on the first or second day of the month are considered age 62 for the “full” month and could be entitled to benefits for the month of their 62nd birthday. However, if born on the 3rd or later, you must wait a month. If you’re 62 on June 6, you’re eligible for Social Security retirement benefits beginning in July. Social Security benefits are paid the month after they are due. So, if you want your benefits to begin with July, you will receive your first benefit payment in August. You can apply four months in advance of when you want your benefits to start. The exact payment date is determined by your date of birth. For future pay days, you may find the Schedule of Social Security Payments calendars useful.
Try the online application beginning March 1st. We hope this helps!
Herb S.
I have forgotten my username and have filled out the page asking for email address, SS# and birthdate. The NEXT prompt does not work.
S.D.
Hi, Herb. Sorry to hear about the difficulties you experienced with your my Social Security account. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions webpage for details on how to retrieve or change your username or password. We hope this helps.
ATALI B.
FORGOT USERNAME AND PASSWORD AND NOW I’M LOCKED OUT. I ATTEMPTED TO CALL THE 800 NUMBER VARIOUS TIME ONE OF THEM WAS A 37 MINUTE WAIT AND IT JUST WENT DEAD AFTER ALL THAT WAIT. HOW CAN “I” A TAX PAYER FOR 30+ YEARS GET ASSISTANCE? I HAVE ALSO GONE TO MY LOCAL SS OFFICE AND IT WAS CLOSED (NEWTON, NJ) WITH NO NOTICES ON THE DOORS ON HOURS OR OTHER LOCATIONS TO ADDRESS MY CONCERNS/ISSUES.
Christopher J.
I can not remember my username or password I would like to change it
V.V.
Hi Christopher, thanks for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for details on how to retrieve or change your username and password. We hope this helps!