Once you hit a certain age, you start thinking about Social Security. It might bring up some questions that you don’t know how to answer. This is common. Most people don’t even consider Social Security until they start thinking about retirement.
But those questions come and they can be overwhelming:
What is involved in applying for Social Security? At what age can you draw Social Security? What is the process for letting the federal government know that you are ready to do so?
In this article, we’ll answer all of these questions, and arm you with the information necessary to make use of Social Security successfully in your life.
Let’s get started.
Contents
- 1 Drawing Social Security Benefits
- 2 Types of Benefits
- 3 Eligibility Requirements for Retirement Benefits
- 4 How to File an Application for Social Security Retirement Benefits
- 5 What You Need for Retirement Benefits
- 6 Applying for Survivor Benefits
- 7 FAQs about Social Security
- 7.1 Can I work and receive my retirement benefits?
- 7.2 What happens to my Social Security benefits if I receive a pension from my job and that job was with the Federal Government and not covered by Social Security?
- 7.3 Do military benefits affect my Social Security benefits?
- 7.4 If I take money out of my IRA will it affect my Social Security benefit?
- 8 How to Contact the Social Security Administration
- 9 Applying for Social Security Is Meant to Be Easy
Drawing Social Security Benefits
The Social Security Administration is responsible for processing all applications for benefits. It is a good idea to begin your application process about four months before you actually want to begin receiving benefits. That way, when the need arises, you’ll already be set up.
Types of Benefits
- Retirement Benefits
- Survivor Benefits
Eligibility Requirements for Retirement Benefits
- You must be 61 years and 9 months old.
- You must not have applied for retirement benefits before this.
- You must not be currently receiving Social Security benefits.
- You must be at least 4 months out from the time you expect your benefits to start.
If your condition is keeping you from working and earning a livable wage, you should probably file for disability. If you are currently working full-time, but your condition is getting worse, then you should file for disability as soon as your earnings drop below the earnings limit for SSD benefits and SSI benefits.
Disability benefits can pay up to $2700/month, depending on your work history and disability condition. You can also qualify for a lump sum of money owed to you. See how much you may be able to collect – get a 100% free evaluation now!
How to File an Application for Social Security Retirement Benefits
- In person: You will need an appointment in order to apply in person for your Social Security benefits. You will need to find and contact your local SSA office to make an appointment. Call 800-772-1213 to find the local office.
- By phone: There are very specific hours when you can apply by phone. These hours are Monday through Friday Eastern Time from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 800-772-1213 and TTY 800-325-0778. It is best to call at the least busy times – at the end of the day, at the end of the week, and at the end of the month.
- Online: You can apply for Social Security benefits online anytime you choose – 24 hours a day/7 days a week. This is, in fact, the easiest way to do so, but be aware that you may not be able to apply for all your benefits online. You might, however, need to complete the application either in-person or on the phone. The online system will tell you how to proceed.
What You Need for Retirement Benefits
Here are the documents you will need when applying for Social Security Benefits:
- Proof of citizenship in the United States or proof of lawful permanent resident status if born outside the U.S.
- You need your original birth certificate, not a copy. If you do not have an original, you can include a copy that is certified by the hospital or agency that issued the original one.
- A copy of your W-2 form for the current/previous year or if you were self-employed, a copy of last year’s tax return.
- If you served in the military before 1968 – a copy of your DD-214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.
You will also need to provide your recent earnings, eligibility for a federal pension, marital history, and whether other family members can claim any benefits on your record.
Applying for Survivor Benefits
- You must apply in person or by phone, not online.
- You must provide the Social Security number of the deceased.
- Your Social Security number and the Social Security number of any dependent children of the deceased.
- Your birth certificate or religious record of birth.
- Your marriage certificate or divorce decree.
- Death certificate of deceased.
- Record of earnings of the deceased in the form of W-2s or tax returns.
- Apply the same month the retiree or covered worker dies.
FAQs about Social Security
There are many commonly asked or wondered about questions regarding applying for and receiving your Social Security Benefits. Some of these are included below, along with the answers.
Can I work and receive my retirement benefits?
The answer is yes but not a lot. There are limits on how much you can earn in any month and receive your full retirement benefits. If you are not at full retirement age of 65 and you earn more than allowed in a year, SSA will reduce your Social Security Benefit by the total amount of your earnings. Once you reach full retirement age, you may earn any amount and your benefits will not be reduced.
What happens to my Social Security benefits if I receive a pension from my job and that job was with the Federal Government and not covered by Social Security?
If this occurs your Social Security benefits are determined by a different formula and they are reduced based on your government pension. This is also true if you receive a pension for out of the country employment.
Do military benefits affect my Social Security benefits?
No. Your Social Security benefit is not reduced by your military benefits. You can receive full benefits from both.
If I take money out of my IRA will it affect my Social Security benefit?
No. The SSA does not include IRAs, pensions, interests, annuities, or dividends as part of your earnings.
How to Contact the Social Security Administration
As mentioned above you can contact the Social Security Administration by phone or online. It is best to have an appointment if going in person. It is not helpful just to walk into an SSA office. Use the following contact information to set up an appointment:
Phone: 800-772-1213
Website: www.ssa.gov
Applying for Social Security Is Meant to Be Easy
As you can see, it really isn’t very difficult to apply for Social Security benefits, whether retirement or survivor. The SSA does try to make it as easy as possible. Just be sure that no matter how you apply you have the proper information and documents with you. If you forget even one, you might stand in line for an hour only to be told you must come back later with the proper documents and information.
If your condition is keeping you from working and earning a livable wage, you should probably file for disability. If you are currently working full-time, but your condition is getting worse, then you should file for disability as soon as your earnings drop below the earnings limit for SSD benefits and SSI benefits.
Disability benefits can pay up to $2700/month, depending on your work history and disability condition. You can also qualify for a lump sum of money owed to you. See how much you may be able to collect – get a 100% free evaluation now!
Ii am on a pension I have my 6yr old Grandson living with me as his mother is no longer allowed to have him, social services are involved, she continues to claim for him which I have notified the fraud team, in the mean time what help can I have in taking care of him please.
If he is entitled to social security payments you need to apply to be his representative payee. Go to a local social security office.
What is needed to become the Payee for my sister? She is a Schizophrenia patient with dementia. She no longer has the ability to communicate verbally. I do have her POA for Financial and Health Care.
I applyed for social security retirement in october and have not heard anything it is supposed to start in January please tell me what is wrong
I would like to apply for Social Security. It is December 21, 2018 but do not what to draw until I am 63, which is in March of 2019. Can I apply now or do I need to wait?
How do I have taxes taken out of my social security check?
My wife passed 27 April 2016 she worked 30 years for the Maryland Government Education system. I wasn’t aware of her survivor benefits that I could apply for them until a friend informed that I might. Is to too late to apply for them.
I need to apply for medicare health insurance. I am 78 years old and did nor sign up at 65 years; I pay for Blue Care through City of Punta Gorda (City self insured plan). I need to make appointment to meet with someone at the social security administration office located at 1600 Tamiami Trail in Port Charlotte Fl. I have been trying to talk to someone at 1 -800- 772-1213 and local 941-743-4065. Please help. I had to wait until January 1 to sign up with benefits 6 months from sign up.
How much money can I make in the year I retire in?
How can I get my Social Security benefits reviewed. According to others that are receiving benefits I don’t seem to be getting enough.
I’m 63 and the company I work for is closing in April 2019 how do I go about getting social security?
I am retired fed government disabled for 15 years . I turn 65 in March 2019 . I make less than $2700.oo a month . I’ve paid AS. For 15 years . Can I appy for disability?
I am trying to get my SS rechecked. I don’t seem to get enough for all the years I worked
How does the benefits work if I have remarried. I am not old enough to get retirement,but my husband is.
I have applied for SS retirement benefits effective February. Bill from Medicare would normally come out of SSN benefits. How is the transition from something I write a check for to automatic accomplished? Do I still have to make the February payment to retain coverage?
My husband passed away in December and had a telephone appointment and have not heard from them. What should I do?
I am turning 65 in march 2019 iam still employed which forms do I need to file for part b medical please advice iam
covered by my employer for full health benefit
coo
I retired from Social Security in 09/2013. I have 41 years of service and
will turn age 65 in 04/2019. Can I file online ?
I am 66 and want to apply to delay my social security benefits and receive only my divorced spouse’s benefit until a later date. Can I do this online?
my husband & I are still working and plan on to but want to apply for SS & Medicare Part B.
If we go to our local SS office, would our passport suffice for the birth certificate? Thank You.
I need to make appointment to fill out forms for my medicare. Also to find out how much I would receive if I retire on my 65th birthday?
How can I collect social security under my ex-husband. We were married in 1986 and divorced in 2009.
My wife is on Social Security Disability and would like to find out what she would receive on Social Security now. She is 66 yrs old. How do we find out how much she would receive.
I was told by another SS agent that I can walk in w/o and appt to verify my monthly $ amount I would receive when I apply for my late husband’s SS in September 2019 . Is this true? Also he has been dead for 11 years. Do I really have to show a W2 form? I do not have any W2 for him.
I need to make appointment by phone or in person apply for spousal benefits my spouse passed away Jan 4
Where do I apply for retirement benefits? I started my account information, but there wasn’t anything to let me know if I have officially applied for the benefits.
I moved from Tennessee to Texas and need to change bank account where balance of SS monies is being deposited each month. How do I do this without having to go to a SS office?
I am 62 years and three months old. If I apply for social security can I also apply for social security disability at the same time?
Is Social Security disability (SSDI) considered “taxable” or “non-taxable” income???
I am 74 and my husband is 77 I have been told that I can draw half the amount my husband draws from his ss with out lowering his ss I only draw $500. a month mine has dropped $200. dollars sence I started drawing ss and it is all I have to live on