Retire Online with Social Security, Quickly and Easily
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast 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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Tags: my Social Security, my Social Security account, online services, retirement
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Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
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Aileen T.
I am already on ssi disability when do I recieve my or change it to retirement benefits I’m 63yrs now thx
V.V.
Hi Aileen, thanks for using our blog. Social Security disability benefits automatically change to retirement benefits when disability beneficiaries become full retirement age. The law does not allow a person to receive both retirement and disability benefits on one earnings record at the same time. We hope this helps!
Dorothy W.
when I go online to apply for retirement and I sign into my SS account it tells me sorry our information isn’t the same..But I have a SS account that I can log into and it takes me to the claim I have for Disability. The info I give is the same I give it just doesn’t go to Retirement application
V.V.
Hi Dorothy, thanks for using our blog. 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 for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Susan M.
I applied online for benefits on 5/8/20. I received an email saying to call 866-226-2306. I’ve been trying for more than a week – that # is always busy. Do you have an alternative for me?
V.V.
Hi Susan, thanks for using our blog. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Jerry L.
I was approved for Social Security Benefits on April 18, 2020. I applied for benefits as of April 1, 2020 and was told that I would receive benefits as of October 2019, when I was eligible (I was eligible as of July 2019, but SS will only go back as far as 6 months. At the time of approval, the SS worker told me that he would be able to tell me how much my monthly payment would be, but for some reason (he was working from home) the system would not allow him too. I was wondering when will I receive my first payment? And how much?
Roy D.
I’m trying to get logged in but don’t know my users name or password so I emailed them and they said they would send it to me by mail, haven’t heard from them last 4 of my s/s 1369 thank you
V.V.
Hi Roy, 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. Hopefully this helps!
john s.
I got an email said call 866-226-2306 is this a SS number they said it was based in Jamaica Queens
just checking for scams
V.V.
Hi John: Thanks for checking in with us. Generally, we will only contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. Recently, scams — misleading victims into making cash or gift card payments to avoid arrest for Social Security number problems — have skyrocketed. Our employees will never threaten you for information or promise a benefit in exchange for personal information or money. To see if Social Security sent the letter, you would need to call your local office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Oscar T.
I no longer live in the US due to the fact that I have developed a medical condition and have no Medicare insurance because am not able to afford.
Am I going to be able to receive these Economic Impact allowance? Even NOT resident in the US.?
V.V.
Hi Oscar, thank you for your question. Please visit the IRS Economic Impact Payments Information Center to answer your questions about eligibility, payment amounts, what to expect, when to expect it and more. Hope this helps!
Sundersharema
It is indeed a form of pride and sense of security to have each and everything in hands
https://medium.com/@araziz_52440/global-warming-and-the-question-of-human-survival-5f02a3c89534
C. A.
My husband turns 70 Jan. 8. When is the earliest he can get his maximum social security benefit? He hasn’t started social security payments yet.
V.V.
Hi C. Allen, thank you for your question. Social Security retirement benefits are increased by a certain percentage (depending on date of birth) if you delay your retirement beyond full retirement age. The benefit increase no longer applies after the month you attain age 70, even if you continue to delay taking benefits. Our system is set up to take applications four months in advance. When your husband is ready to apply, he can apply online. We hope this is helpful.
JEANETTE A.
Hello,
I will turn age 66 this July/2020.
I do not plan on retiring for another year nor taking SS benefits until I do retire July/2021.
My husband will turn age 66 this November/2020. He is no longer working nor taking SS benefits.
1. Can my husband start withdrawing SS benefits from my SS in July?
2.All of it or partial?
3. When he turns age 66 in November, he will start withdrawing his SS benefits – so then if he has been drawing on mine, does that cease?
TIA,
V.V.
Hi Jeanette, thank you for your questions. Your husband may be able to get spouse’s benefits but, under existing law, if he is eligible for benefits both as a retired worker and as a spouse, he must apply for both benefits and he’ll receive the higher of the two benefits. This requirement is called “deemed filing” because when you apply for one benefit you are “deemed” to have also applied for the other. Check out our Benefits Planner: Benefits for You as a Spouse for additional details.