Retirement

What You Should Know About Applying For Retirement

October 31, 2019 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: October 31, 2019

" "Approaching and preparing for retirement can be a daunting task, but we are here to make it as easy as possible. Social Security has eliminated the forms, signatures, wait time, and appointments. We made it easy, convenient and secure. You can complete our online retirement application in as little as 15 minutes from your preferred location, at a time most convenient for you.

Before you apply, you should think about things like how you’ll receive benefits, your health, and whether anyone else in your family can get benefits on your record. Let’s go over the basics together, just to make sure you’re on the right track for retirement, when the time comes.

The age you choose to retire affects the amount of benefits you receive and when you can start receiving them. If you start them any time before your full retirement age, we’ll reduce your monthly benefit. Depending on your year of birth, your full retirement age is likely between age 66 and 67. You may start receiving benefits as early as age 62 or as late as age 70.

If you elect to receive benefits before you reach full retirement age, and continue to work, it can affect your benefits. Social Security has an awesome tool called the Retirement Estimator that calculates a personal estimate of how much your benefit will be at different ages and “stop work” dates. You can use it to find the best combination for your situation.

You can read about other things to consider before you make your decision about when to begin your benefits. If you’re ready to apply, you can do it online. It’s easy, convenient, and secure!

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About the Author

Mike Korbey, Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Mike Korbey, Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Comments

  1. Nora L.

    I am in the process of applying for Partial SS and curious if the SS Dept will contact me with final approval with my benefit amount and give me the option to accept or decline my application??

    • A.C.

      Hi, Nora. 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.

  2. Smith M.

    Saving for the future is very hard to implement, you should be hard enough now for a good tomorrow. Plan about future and start your savings today itself.

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  4. William A.

    How long does it take receive retiremrnt benefit.I ran into a problem. I called the national number between Nov 15 or possibly 18th. I was told I would receive call from local office within 6-7 days to set appointment and the process would usually take 4-6 weeks, consistent with my online researc. Today 12/4 I called to follow up and spoke to Matt, and for the first time, found out I could have completed enrollment on the day I called in November, with November application date, which matters. Matt guided me through the application and provided clarity on some questions due to my self-employment. Unfortunately,we were disconnected, shortly before I completed the retirement application, which leads to my concern, as I received conflicting information in my call back after disconnection, and again in a 3rd call as my completed application had somewhat “cryptic” message upon completion note today “may” be used as my application date .When I spoke to Matt he said he would find out why no call back or message left and get appointment set. This concerned because I wanted to take benefit in Dec in order to have check in Jan, and who knows when the appointment would be set and unable to get the December benefit. He assured me that, barring any unforeseen circumstance, my application would handled in a manner that would allow me to take the benefit in Dec as I so desperately need, presumably on an exception basis stemming from the lack of call back and resulting delay and essentially taking the appointment date out of the equation, presumably using the Nov date, if I
    understood the basis correctly, and no matter insofar there was no uncertainty as there was a way to make it happen. I was so relieved… that is until we were disconnected before completing and submitting” my application, at which point things went south in my 2nd call, no way to assure (barring unforseen), and same in 3rd call stemming from concern about application date. In the 3rd call, I heard for the first time, it would or could take 60, however I can see that 60 days does not conflict with 4-6 weeks in unforseen circumstance occurance. In short I am pleading to handle my application in manner that would allow me to take benefit in Dec as Matt was very knowledgeble and hard to believe he was providing false/incorrect info. I may not be correct to the basis, but there zero uncertainty that he could handle in manner that would make it happen. Please help me. Coming off two abdominal surgeries totalling 7 hrs face third for same issue, zero net income for 5 months,borrowed money from sisters, liquidated watches, books, furniture, gym set, clothes, suits, coats and whatever I can sell and continue to do so.

    • L.A.

      Hi William. We are very sorry to hear about your experience. Unfortunately, but for your security, we do not have access to private information in this forum. Please follow up with your local Social Security office for assistance. You can ask to speak to a manager on your next visit or call. You can also submit feedback by visiting our Contact Social Security page. Once there, select the “Email Us” link. This will take you to the “Email Our Support Team” form. We hope this is resolved soon.

  5. Patricia R.

    what is the age is full retirement

    • A.C.

      Hi, Patricia. Thanks for your question. Full retirement age is the age at which a person may first become entitled to full or unreduced retirement benefits. It is determined by your year of birth. For more information, visit our Retirement Planner: Benefits By Year Of Birth. We hope this helps.

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  9. Frances B.

    I plan to keep working for quite a few more years. I am just trying to get set up with Social Security early concerning receiving the number that you will send me to get registered for Medicare, should I need it.
    I turn 65 this December, as you can see.

    • L.A.

      Hi Frances. Thank you for your question. To enroll in Medicare, you can now do it online. You can also calls us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. We hope this helps.

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