How to File an Online Social Security Retirement Claim

Why take the time out to go to an office to file a Social Security Retirement Claim. Most Social Security Retirement claims are simple and can be filed online at your leisure.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Your Date of Birth
• Information about your current employment and/or the date you will stop working.
• Military Discharge papers, if applicable.

1. Go to the ssa.gov website.
   
   In the middle of the page, click on the rectangular blue button which says: “Filing Online for Retirement Benefits.”

2. On the next landing page, you will have the choice of “Retirement or Medicare.” Click on "Retirement and Medicare".
   
   Your next landing page will have instructions for the filing of a retirement application by going to a social security office. However, for online filing, click your pointer on “ Internet Social Security Benefit Application.”
   
   Then, select "Apply for Retirement/ Disability/ Spouses Benefits" The Disability application is a far more complicated affair but the Retirement Application is very simple.

3. Scroll to the bottom of the next landing page. You will see a questionnaire determining whether you meet the requirements for filing an online application or not. Some social security cases are burdened with complications which require the assistance of a social security office claims representative.
   
   The online application for retirement is designed for most simple cases which are not complicated by unusual factors. The simple questionnaire asks if you are old enough, if you want your benefits to start within 4 months, and whether you should also file for a disability claim. There is also one question asking if you live in the U.S.
   
   For those who are not filing for disability benefits at the same time they are filing for retirement benefits, the applications screens are easily filled out with name, address, and SSAN. The questions you will be asked are simple and easily answered through common sense.

4. Be prepared to answer general questions about the last year you worked or the future date you will stop working.
   
   The online application, when completed, will be processed by an Immediate Claims Taking Unit at one of SSA’s regional processing centers. In most social security cases, you will have to prove your age with an original birth certificate, although for some people, this verification is already on file in one of SSA’s databases.
   
   In order to get working credit for your last and current year of employment, you may be asked to send W2s or current pay stubs to the Payment Center handling your case.
   
   Simple cases are processed on the same day or within a few days. For those cases, requiring the applicant to provide and original BC or wage stub, the case will be processed soon after receipt of the information.

Tips & Warnings

• If you meet retirement age requirements, you will be eligible for the first whole month you are at retirement age. However, you will not receive a benefit until the following month since Social Security retirement checks are paid in the month following the month of eligibility.
• If your retirement is complicated by unusual factors such as federal government employment and pensions, or work in countries outside the United States which have reciprocal agreements with the U.S., or other complicating factors, you should make an appointment with a local social security office where you can get assistance from an SSA claims representative.