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. Jeanne T.

    I have filled out my online application for SS retirement.
    however I do not see a submit application at end of form, just save and exit! How do I submit my form ???

  2. Alan

    Question: After start colecting SS benefits at 62 years old…do I have to file IncomeTax every years? Thank you!

    • Kenny O.

      Hello Alan, for specific tax filing questions, you will need to contact the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Their toll-free number is 1-800-829-1040.
      That said, it is important to note that some people who get Social Security must pay federal income taxes on their benefits. But, no one pays taxes on more than 85 percent of their Social Security benefits.
      You must pay taxes on your benefits if you file a federal tax return as an “individual” and your “combined income” exceeds $25,000. If you file a joint return, you must pay taxes if you and your spouse have “combined income” of more than $32,000. If you are married and file a separate return, you probably will have to pay taxes on your benefits.
      See Benefits Planner: Income Taxes and Your Social Security Benefits for more information.

  3. susan l.

    ok

  4. Adhitya N.

    thanks information about Retire Online with Social Security, Quickly and Easily.

    Adhitya Nugraha Novianta

  5. Ken

    How long does it normally take to begin receiving checks after applying for social security retirement benefits? Does the government shutdown affect the application and processing time?

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Ken. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask members in our Blog community to work with their local Social Security office with specific questions about their case. The Social Security Administration (SSA) is not affected by the potential lapse in appropriations. All services and offices will remain fully operational. We hope this helps.

  6. Robby

    My birthday is 4/11/53. To receive FRB, do I need to work up to 4/10/19 (day prior) or the actual date of birth (4/11/19)? I cannot find this information on any sites. Thank-you.

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Robby. You can work while you receive Social Security retirement benefits. At 66, you’ve reached your full retirement age. If you work and are full retirement age or older, the amount you make at work will not affect your Social Security benefits, no matter how much you earn. For information, check out our publication, How Work Affects Benefits. We hope this helps.

  7. Dennis g.

    i was born before Jan 1954 and qualify to restrict my benefits by being spousal on my wife’s claiming when I soon will be 66, my FRA.

    My local Soc.Sec. office is adimant that I cannot claim restrictive unless my wife also is born before Jan 1954 (which she is not) and files restrictive.

    I think i am 99.9% correct that she files for her SS benefits on my 66th birthday and then i file a resritive spousal claim that will be in effect until i decide to file for my permanent benefits and then my wife would qualify to claim spousal off my account (unless she is deemed to automatically do so) since it will be much higher for her.

    How can I convince my local office that they are wrong, or can i just make the claims online ??

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Dennis. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask members of our Blog community to continue to work with their local Social Security office with specific questions about their case. You can ask to speak to a supervisor on your next call or visit. We hope this is resolved soon.

      • Alison

        I have found that your local office, don’t know if the National is the same, does not know or clearly understand the Social Security regulations. I was married 28 years and have been on disability since 2008. I divorced in 2013. My X-husband passed away approximately 5 months ago by the time I was actually allowed to apply. I went to the SS office twice after he passed and without even asking me any questions they said I was not eligible. I did not accept their answer. I had to get on ssa.gov and research all the provision surrounding my circumstances. I printed all the info, highlighted the pertinent sections, went back in and they still said I wasn’t eligible. So I told them yes I was and went over their policies step by step with them and explain what it meant. After a deer in the head lights look, he took my info back to what I assume was his Manager and came back and said he guessed I was eligible. Needless to say, I was approved. The guy at
        The field office told me when he came back and said I was eligible
        That it would probably only be a couple of hundred dollars at the most. Well that took me back to researching again and I found out that it was not the case. I will (soon) receive 71.5% of my x-husband’s retirement benefit payments. Thank God I did not accept their answer or wait too long to research it because you have to file within 6months of the death to receive retro pay. One more month and I would have forfeited 6 months of benefits. During my research I read over and over, including sites written by Attorney that specialize in the SS laws that the field office personnel do not know the regulations and you have to find out for yourself and present it to them or hire an Attorney to do it for you. I also found out how many people I know who are losing a lot of money that they are definitely eligible to be receiving and were told no just like me. There is a major amount of money sitting there that is not being allocated to people who need it because of this very reason. It is very prevalent. The moral: Get your answer and then go in to apply and explain to them why with written documentation.

  8. michael d.

    I need to file for SS. I am 65 years-old next month. I need help on this matter

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Michael If you’re asking about Social Security retirement benefits, you may start receiving benefits as early as age 62 or as late as age 70. Monthly benefits are reduced if you start them any time before your “full retirement age”. Your full retirement age depends on your date of birth. It may be between age 66 and 67. This could affect the amount of your benefits and when you want the benefits to start.

      The Benefits Planner: Retirement provides detailed information about Social Security retirement benefits.

      If you’re already receiving Social Security benefits and you’re asking about Medicare, if you live in one of the 50 states, Washington, D.C., the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, American Samoa, or the U.S. Virgin Islands, we’ll automatically enroll you in Medicare Parts A and B.

      If you’re not getting benefits, you can use our online application to sign up for Medicare. You can sign up for Medicare even if you don’t plan to retire at age 65.

      If you need additional assistance, please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) . Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. or contact your local Social Security office.

  9. Jim B.

    I can’t get on my account portal lately because I never receive the security code text on my phone as I have in the past. Seems to be something wrong with the system. Any one else having this issue?

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Jim, thanks for using our blog. Sorry to hear you are having difficulties with your my Social Security account.

      For assistance with your account, 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”; or
      •Contact your local Social Security office.

  10. anitamcmullen

    lam61yearsoldandnextmonthlwillbe62whatcanldonextifanything

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Anita. If you’re asking about Social Security retirement benefits, you may start receiving benefits as early as age 62 or as late as age 70. Monthly benefits are reduced if you start them any time before your “full retirement age”. Your full retirement age depends on your date of birth. It may be between age 66 and 67. This could affect the amount of your benefits and when you want the benefits to start.

      The Benefits Planner: Retirement provides detailed information about Social Security retirement benefits.

Comments are closed.