Applying for Social Security benefits is a big milestone in retirement planning. Understanding the process will help ensure a smooth transition to receiving the benefits you’ve earned. This guide will walk you through how to file for Social Security including the different options for filing, what documents you’ll need, and important rules that could affect your payments.
Read more1. When Can You Apply for Social Security?
You can apply for Social Security retirement benefits starting at age 62 and up to age 70. However, it’s important to note that Social Security requires you to be 62 for a full calendar month before benefits begin, and payments are issued one month in arrears. For example, if your birthday is July 3, your eligibility would not start until August, which means your first payment would arrive in September. This rule can be surprising to many applicants, so it’s essential to plan accordingly.
There is a special rule for individuals born on the 1st or 2nd of the month, which can affect their filing eligibility differently.
The actual payment dates depend on your birthdate:
- If you were born between the 1st and 10th of the month, payments arrive on the second Wednesday of each month.
- If you were born between the 11th and 20th, payments come on the third Wednesday.
- If your birthdate falls after the 21st, expect benefits on the fourth Wednesday.
Given the timing of payments and eligibility, it’s recommended to file your application at least four months before you want your benefits to start to avoid delays.
2. How to Apply for Social Security
There are several methods to apply for Social Security:
- Online: The quickest and most convenient option is applying online at www.ssa.gov/retire.
- By Phone: Call the SSA’s national toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).
- In-Person: You can also visit your local Social Security office. It’s advisable to call ahead to schedule an appointment to avoid long wait times.
For individuals living outside the U.S., it’s possible to contact the nearest U.S. Social Security office, U.S. Embassy, or consulate to apply.
3. Information and Documents Needed
When applying for Social Security, you’ll need to provide detailed personal, spousal, and work-related information. Below is a list of the essential information and documents required for the application:
Personal Information
- Your date and place of birth and Social Security number.
- If applicable, the name, Social Security number, and date of birth of your spouse or ex-spouse. You’ll also need details regarding any previous marriages, including the dates of marriage, divorce, or death.
- The names of any unmarried children under 18 or children aged 18-19 who are still attending elementary or secondary school.
- Your bank’s routing and account number for direct deposit.
- Information on whether you’ve ever applied for Social Security, Medicare, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) before.
Work-Related Information
- Employer names and addresses for the current year and previous year.
- Earnings for the past year and an estimate of your earnings for the current year.
- Your Social Security Statement or record of earnings. This can be accessed online by creating an account with the SSA.
- Details of any U.S. military service before 1968.
- Information about any illness or injury that impacted your ability to work in the past 14 months.
- Whether you or your spouse ever worked for the railroad industry.
- Whether you’ve earned Social Security credits under another country’s social security system.
- Whether you expect to receive any pensions or annuities from federal, state, or local government employment.
Documents You May Need
To process your application, the SSA may request the following documents:
- Birth certificate (original or certified copy).
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status (if applicable).
- Military discharge papers (for military service before 1968).
- W-2 forms or self-employment tax returns for the previous year.
The SSA allows you to submit photocopies of certain documents like W-2 forms, but for more important documents such as birth certificates, they will need to see originals or certified copies.
4. What to Do If You Don’t Have All the Documents
If you’re missing a required document, don’t let that delay your application. Submit what you do have, and the SSA will help you obtain missing information. In many cases, your local Social Security office can verify your birth certificate or other records online at no cost to you.
However, be mindful about mailing sensitive documents like foreign birth records or Department of Homeland Security (DHS)-issued documents. It’s recommended to bring those to a local Social Security office for in-person verification.
5. Filing for Spousal and Survivor Benefits
If you’re married, divorced, or widowed, you may be eligible for spousal or survivor benefits, which can significantly increase your Social Security income. Spousal benefits allow you to receive up to 50% of your spouse’s full retirement benefit, and these can be applied for online. Survivor benefits, on the other hand, allow you to collect up to 100% of a deceased spouse’s benefit, but due to the complexity of determining eligibility and the benefit amount, the Social Security Administration does not allow online applications for survivor benefits. You’ll need to apply in person or by phone for survivor benefits to ensure your specific circumstances are fully considered.
Timing your application for these benefits is important, as it can impact the overall amount you receive. Understanding the rules for spousal and survivor benefits is essential for maximizing your Social Security income.
6. Social Security and Medicare Enrollment
When applying for Social Security, you’ll also need to consider enrolling in Medicare. If you’re within three months of turning 65, you will need to decide whether to sign up for Medicare Part B (medical insurance). Delaying Part B enrollment could result in a late enrollment penalty, so it’s important to make an informed decision.
7. Final Thoughts: Planning for Your Social Security Benefits
Applying for Social Security is an essential step in retirement planning, and doing so at least 90 days before you want benefits to begin can help avoid delays and ensure that your income arrives on time.
Social Security should be part of a broader retirement strategy. Be sure to integrate your Social Security filing decision with other retirement income sources, such as IRAs, 401(k)s, and pension plans, to ensure a cohesive and well-rounded financial plan.