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
See CommentsAbout the Author
Doug Walker, Deputy Commissioner, Communications
Deputy Commissioner, Office of Communications
Comments
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darla J.
for months cant get a code to get into my account, help please
john h.
How to find activation cord I don’t remember.
Ann C.
Hi, John. If you are unable to create an account or encounter a problem with your personal my Social Security account, you may:
•Call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “helpdesk”; or
•Contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Susan S.
I want to make an appointment at a Social Security office at Beaverton or Oregon City. Please call to help me set up an appointment. Thank you.
Vonda V.
Hello Susan. We currently do not have an online appointment scheduler. However you do not need an appointment to file for benefits or appeal a disability decision. You can file for the following benefits online:
•Retirement;
•Medicare; and
•Disability.
If you do not want to apply for benefits online, or you need to speak to us for any other reason, you can schedule, reschedule or cancel an appointment by:
•Calling us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday; or
•Contacting your local Social Security office. Thanks!
Linda D.
Hell-o,
I set up my SS account online in 2017 when I turned 62 & started drawing SS retirement. Now, I cannot access my account. It keeps telling me they will text my phone, but NOTHING has ever come of that. NO ONE has EVER texted me. I need my statement & would like to access my account. Please help!
Thank you,
Linda D Praegitzer
tufdog11@msn.com
208 860-7060
Ann C.
Hi, Linda. We are sorry you are having difficulty accessing your personal my Social Security account. If you are still having trouble accessing your my Social Security account, please call our dedicated my Social Security Hotline. To reach this hotline, call 1-800-772-1213, and select the prompt “helpdesk”. The help desk will be available to callers between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Generally, you’ll have a shorter wait time if you call later in the day. Just a reminder – please be cautious about posting personal information on social media. We hope this helps.
Jane M.
please tell me how to make an appointment at my local ss office in Norristown, Pa. I have been searching on the web and have not been able to fine it. Thank You
Corazon J.
would like to have an appointment.
I will be 65 on March 2019 and still covered with another health insurance.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Vonda V.
Hi Corazon, thank you for your question. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for information on signing up for Medicare if you’re still working.
Heidi W.
Please assist in resetting my password. I’ve tried several avenues but to no avail.
Appreciate your assistance.
Vonda V.
Hi Heidi: See our Frequently Asked Questions web page for information on how to retrieve or change your password. If you encounter a problem, you may call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “helpdesk”.
Daniel J.
I have not received October social security retirement pay. Last payment received September 2018
Ray F.
Hello Daniel. Unfortunately, and because of security reasons we do not have access to personal records in this blog and cannot answer your question. One of our representatives should be able to provide you with an explanation.
Please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Generally, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later during the day or later in the week. Thanks!
George R.
Why is it so difficult to get online with http://www.ssa.gov? I’ve tried several times and it always says to try again later.
Ray F.
Sorry you were having trouble accessing our website, George. The site appears to be up and running, please try again. Thanks!
Judith G.
getting into social security website is impossible for me today. The website I was using is no longer accessible to me, therefore, cannot access to update my new email address.
old email was: judygalloway@centurylink.net
new email is: judyagalloway@outlook.com
any assistance will be greatly appreciated