Retirement

Retire Online with Social Security, Quickly and Easily

January 10, 2019 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: November 3, 2023

The idea of applying for Social Security retirement benefits might seem daunting, but it’s not. There’s no need to visit an office. You don’t have to use the phone. We have an online retirement application that you can complete in as little as 15 minutes and from the comfort of your home or office. In most cases, once your application is submitted electronically, you’re done. There are no forms to sign and usually no documentation is required. Social Security will process your application and contact you if any further information is needed.

It’s as simple as that. You can start your application.

You can apply online for retirement benefits or benefits as a spouse if you:

  • Are at least 61 years and 9 months old.
  • Are not currently receiving benefits on your own Social Security record.
  • Have not already applied for retirement benefits.
  • Want your benefits to start no more than 4 months in the future. (We cannot process your application if you apply for benefits more than 4 months in advance.)

You’ll have to create or sign into your my Social Security account as part of your application. If you don’t have an account yet, this is a perfect time to create one. Just as important, this is where you will be able to check your application for benefits. Like our other online services, my Social Security is available on your time and there’s no waiting in line or on the phone. You can see your entire work history going back to your first job to make sure we have all of your wages correctly tallied. Create or sign into your my Social Security account.

Are you curious about how much your retirement benefits will be? You can get an idea of what your benefits will be using our Retirement Estimator.

Social Security provides services for millions of people, but we also want to make your experience with us as simple and easy as possible. Our many online services, including retiring online, are part of that mission. You can access more by visiting our online services website.

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About the Author

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

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Comments

  1. Beth I.

    I have tried several times to complete and on-line application to apply for SS. I will be 66 in January 2020 and would like to start getting SS at that time. I am able to complete the application but do not see the submit button to submit the application. How do I go about submitting the form.

    thank you

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Beth. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. If you 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.

  2. Valerie S.

    I have called with a problem of signing into my account. I have received my letter with a code but cannot get into account to use the code… can someone help me with this? I believe my phone number has changed and that might be the problem…

    • Luis A.

      Hi Valerie. We are sorry to hear that you are having difficulty accessing your personal my Social Security account. If you are still unable to access your account or encounter another 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.

    • Luis A.

      Hi Valerie. We are sorry to hear that you are having difficulty accessing your personal my Social Security account. If you are still unable to access your account or encounter another 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 https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp. We hope this helps.

  3. Cynthia C.

    Change address to:
    Cynthia C. Winterhalter
    132 East Main Street, Apt 108, Hopkinton, MA 01748-1313

  4. Brown

    Hi, My mother is 73 years collecting social security. My dad just died at the age 76, will my mother receive 1/2 of my dad’s ss benefits.

    Thanks

  5. Greg B.

    if i set up an on line account several years back and now i can not remember or find were i wrote it down, how do i re sign up when it keeps saying i can not use what i want?

    • Luis A.

      Hi Greg. We are sorry to hear that you are having difficulty accessing your personal my Social Security account. If you are still unable to access your account or encounter another 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.

  6. Susan D.

    I am currently receiving SSDI….at the age of 65 do I need to change this to retirement or does the SSDI remain the same and act as retirement

  7. Estela S.

    Hello:My name is Estela Sánchez. I am a United States citizen I was born in Cuba.My birthday is 3/13/1958 .I’m planning to retire next year on March I will be 62 years old.I called last year and they told me that I could go and apply a couple months before my birthday. My question is like I said I was born in Cuba but I am an American citizen. What papers do I need to take , I know I need to take my Social Security card, My American passport, My drivers license, Do I need to take my citizenship papers And my birth certificate from Cuba.Somebody told me I need to take my birth certificate from Cuba I don’t know why but I want to make sure I take everything I need when I go to apply for Social Security benefits retirement.Thank you so much for your help and I am very sorry to bother you. Thank you so much for your help. Sincerely. Estela Sánchez. S.C. God bless.

  8. Michele M.

    If I will be turning 62 on December 10, for example, when is the earliest I can apply for benefits? Please tell me the month and day.

    • Luis A.

      HI Michele. You can apply for Social Security retirement benefits when you are at least 61 years and 9 months of age and want your benefits to start in the next four months. When you are ready you can complete the online application for Social Security retirement benefits in as little as 15 minutes. We hope this helps.

  9. Charles B.

    Your website does NOT work!! Whenever I try to apply for RETIREMENT benefits your website takes me to a page to apply for DISABILITY benefits. I can never get your site to take me to a RETIREMENT benefits application!!!!

  10. Carol M.

    what is the status of my social security review to begin social security benefits in august 2019. thank you.

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Carol. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. Generally, you will have a shorter wait if you call later in the day. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.

Comments are closed.