How to Apply for Social Security Online for Retirement Benefits

With 80 million baby boomers expected to apply for Social Security in the coming decades, the Social Security Administration has decided to beef up its online application process.

While not everyone who's retiring may want to apply for Social Security online, especially those who don't use computers much, the Social Security Administration believes offering this option will help make applying for Social Security easier. Read on also for information about Medicare.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Information including:
• location of birth
• date of birth
• Social Security Number
• Bank account routing number
• last year's earnings and this year's earnings and possibly an estimate of next year's earnings
• dates of military service before 1968
• name, social security number, and ages of your spouse(s), past and present
• your recent social security statement
• You may need hard copies of certain documents including:
• birth certificate
• naturalization papers
• military papers
• self-employment tax forms

1. Decide when to apply. You can start applying for Social Security retirement benefits at age 62, or you can wait until your full retirement age, which is somewhere between age 65-67. You can also wait for later if you elect to and earn credits.
   
   Don't delay submitting an application for Social Security online just because you don't have all the documentation or information.

2. Go to http://www.socialsecurity.gov/ to start the process. Click on the link to apply for Social Security online. The page has a number of resources, including a benefits estimator to calculate your estimated social security benefits.

3. Follow the links to apply for Social Security online. Fill out the application accurately. Save your information along the way in case you're interrupted. When you have finished, add your electronic "signature" as requested in the form.

4. Submit any supplemental documentation in hard copy to a Social Security office.

Tips & Warnings

• The Social Security Administration is working to make the online application process completely paperless. In the meantime, you can still apply for Social Security online.
• Any documentation you mail should be accompanied by your Social Security number on a separate page.
• Whether or not you are ready to apply for Social Security retirement benefits online or otherwise, make sure to apply to Medicare by the 3-months-before-you're-65 deadline.

Resources

• Information on Applying for Social Security Online

[FrazzledNanny]

on 1/18/2009 Thanks for the tips. Great article. 5*