When and How to Apply for Social Security

Social Security could be an important part of yours retirement plan. But it doesn’t start automatically. To begin receiving yours social insurance Retirement benefits, you need to figure out when they’re supposed to start and then apply.

Learn how to apply for Social Security according to the Social Security Administration website.

Timing is crucial when it comes to planning your retirement income. how much you get from Social Security depends in part on when you enroll. But before we get into that, let’s talk about the timing of your application.

Social security pension benefits can be applied for up to four months before the desired start date. This provides sufficient lead time for your application to be processed. Note, however, that Social Security payments are delayed by a month. That means your September Social Security benefits will arrive in October.

You are entitled to benefits at age 62, although the Social Security Administration considers this early retirement. You will receive reduced benefits if you start drawing them before you reach full retirement age of 67.

You will receive your full retirement benefit if you wait until full retirement age. If you wait even longer, your retirement benefit will continue to rise until you reach the age of 70.

Just as you should think twice about claiming Social Security benefits at age 62, you shouldn’t assume that waiting until age 70 is the right move. A financial advisor can help you determine the best time to claim Social Security benefits based on your retirement plans.

If you decide to start using Social Security sooner rather than later, the earliest you can start receiving pension benefits is 62 years and 1 month. If you turn 62 on the first or second day of the month, you can claim benefits beginning the same month as your birthday. That’s because your first payment arrives a month after it’s due. For example, if you turn 62 on October 2 and claim benefits beginning in October, your first payment will be received in November. At that point, you will meet the age requirements.

If your birthday falls after the second day of the month, you will have to wait until the next month to claim your benefits. So, for example, if you turn 62 on October 10, you start claiming benefits starting in November, which means your first payment will arrive in December.

You can also call the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213 or visit one local office. It may be worth making an appointment before you go to the practice to minimize the wait time. The busiest times are typically Mondays, the morning after a holiday, and the first week of the month, according to the Social Security Administration.

To apply for Social Security retirement benefits, you must be prepared with information about yourself and your work history.

Some items on the personal information list are similar to what you would use to fill out a job or loan application, but there is also specific information that you must gather.

• About you: Your date and place of birth and social security number (even if you used a different social security number); your citizenship status; Your original birth certificate or other proof of birth; and proof of US citizenship or authorization to work in the US

• About your current and/or former spouse: Names, social security numbers, dates of birth or age, dates and places of marriage, and dates of divorce or death (if applicable).

• About your children: Names of unmarried children under 18 or under 19 in elementary, middle or high school, or children with disabilities who started before the age of 22.

• Previous Social Security Applications: If you or someone else has applied for Social Security benefits, Medicare, or Supplemental Security Income on your behalf, you must provide additional information.

• Where should the benefit be directed: Routing and account information for your bank or other financial institution.

• Start of services: You must indicate in which month you want your pension benefits to begin. If you are within three months of turning 65, you must also indicate whether you wish to register Medicare Part B obtain health insurance coverage.

The Social Security Retirement Application will also ask you for information about your employment history.

• Your employee: Name and address of your employer (or employers) for the current and last year.

• Your merit: The amount of money earned last year and this year. You may be asked for copies of any W-2 forms or self-employed tax returns for the past year. You must also provide a copy of your social security declaration or a record of your earnings. You can find your social security card online at Creating an account with the Social Security Administration. If you don’t have a record of your income, you should still complete the application.

• Particular work or performance history: You will be asked for the start and end dates of any US military service before 1968 and a copy of your military service records; whether you or your spouse have ever worked for the railroad industry; and whether you get a pension or annuity because you were employed by the federal government. You will also be asked if you have earned any social security credits under another country’s social security system.

• Your ability to work: You must state within 14 months of applying if you have been unable to work due to illness, injury or medical conditions. If you were unable to work during this period, you must state the date on which you became unable to work.