Social Security is Here When You’re Ready for Retirement
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: November 2, 2023
When you think you’re ready to retire, we’re here to help you make an informed decision about when to apply for benefits. You should decide based on your individual and family circumstances.
Would it be better for you to start getting benefits early with a smaller monthly amount over a longer period? Or perhaps wait for a larger monthly payment over less time? The answer is personal and depends on several factors, such as your current and anticipated cash needs, health, and your family history on longevity. Most importantly, you should study your future financial needs and obligations, and estimate your future Social Security benefit.
The best and easiest way to estimate your future Social Security benefits is with a personal my Social Security account. You can create your free account on our website. Use your account to see how much you might receive each month based on the age at which you want to start receiving benefits.
We encourage you to weigh all the factors carefully before deciding when to begin receiving Social Security benefits. This decision affects the monthly benefit amount you will receive for the rest of your life and may affect benefits for your survivors.
Social Security’s Online Retirement Resources
Whether you’re ready to learn about, apply for, or manage your retirement benefits, our online resources make it easy for you to find the information you need. How easy? You can do it from your computer, tablet, and even smartphone!
On our website, you can:
- Get our publications.
- Estimate your benefits with one of our many calculators.
- Find your Full Retirement Age.
- Learn about benefits for a spouse and family members.
- Apply for benefits.
- Manage your benefits once you start receiving them.
You and your loved ones can discover all these resources on our Retirement page.
Did you find this Information helpful?
Tags: my Social Security, my Social Security account, retirement, retirement benefits
See CommentsAbout the Author
Dawn Bystry, Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
Deputy Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
Comments
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Samuel Y.
I am a social security benefits recipient age 67, and my wife is 56 years old and she is still working. When will she be eligible for social security benefits?
Ann C.
Hi, Samuel. Thanks for visiting our blog. It sounds like you are referring to spouse’s benefits. For your wife to qualify for spouse’s benefits, you must be receiving retirement or disability benefits. Keep in mind that if she qualifies for her own benefits and for benefits as a spouse, we always pay her own benefits first. If her benefits as a spouse are higher than her own benefits, she will get a combination of benefits equaling the higher spouse benefit. Please visit our Benefits Planner for more information. We hope this helps.
Susan
I am currently working, and have Health Benefits through my employer. I’m retiring on July 1 and would like to apply for Medicare Part B. What documentation is required? Is it better to mail or fax the information to my local Social Security office, or complete the process online?
Ann C.
Hi, Susan. Thanks for visiting our blog. For more information about how to apply for Medicare Part B and what documents are needed, please visit our Sign Up For Part B Only page. We hope this helps.
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ERMELINDA A.
how many months in advance do i need to apply for SS before i retire?
Ann C.
Hi, Ermelinda. Thanks for your question. Social Security retirement applications can be filed up to four months in advance. Medicare applications can be filed up to three months prior to age 65. When you are ready to file, visit our Retirement Planner page. We hope this helps.
Donna S.
I am about to begin Social Security benefits at age 67, and am wondering about the possibility of collecting my ex husband of 20 years benefits when he is eligible for full benefits in 4 years.
Should I start collecting my own now, and what is the possibility of collecting his instead because he earned more than I did?
Jose E.
I am 67 and work art time witha friend cuttig lswns, and landscaing, worndering about collectingmy ex wife of 20 years benefits she should be 67 years also ?
Ann C.
Hi, Jose. Thanks for visiting our blog.To be eligible for divorced spouse benefits, you had to be married to your former spouse for at least 10 years, and you cannot be eligible for a higher benefit on your own record. For more information on how to qualify for divorced spouse benefits, visit our Benefits Planner. We hope this helps.
Ann C.
Hi, Donna. Thanks for visiting our blog.To be eligible for divorced spouse benefits, you had to be married to your former spouse for at least 10 years, and you cannot be eligible for a higher benefit on your own record. For more information on how to qualify for divorced spouse benefits, visit our Benefits Planner. We hope this helps.
Greg D.
I am 56 and my wife is 62. She has a minimal benefit and mine will be much larger. Is she able to start collecting he social security now then apply for spousal benefit when I file for my social security?
Thank you so much
Ann C.
Hi, Greg. Thanks for your question. For your wife to qualify for spouse’s benefits, you must be receiving retirement or disability benefits. Keep in mind that if she qualifies for her own benefits and for benefits as a spouse, we always pay her own benefits first. If her benefits as a spouse are higher than her own benefits, she will get a combination of benefits equaling the higher spouse benefit. Visit our Benefits Planner for more information. We hope this information is helpful.
Will S.
What is the exact time when I should call you guys?
Ann C.
Hi, Will. Thanks for visiting our blog. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
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One of the most popular online resources is the Retirement Estimator. This tool allows individuals to enter their personal information and receive an estimate of their Social Security retirement benefits. The Retirement Estimator takes into account an individual’s earnings history and projected retirement age to provide an estimate of their monthly benefit amount.
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Frank R.
I am not sure if social security could provide everything required to live the life to the fullest. I was making research for my college project which is called ‘Study for future financial needs and obligations’ and I think you should consider more circumstances while offering retired people social security. You can find here https://gradesfixer.com/free-essay-examples/life/ more about the life opportunities and factors that could influence the SS Benefit.
Tiarra P.
Start my benefits
SSI benefits
Yes
04/01/2022
Call me please
4155249141
Update my possibly my benefits
Ann C.
Hi, Tiara. Thanks for visiting 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, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. You can also contact your local Social Security office. Just a reminder – please be cautious about posting personal information on social media. We hope this helps.