How to Apply for Social Security?
Social Security is administered by Social Security Administration, known as SSA. It provides a source of income to retired persons and those who can’t go to work due to physical disability. Social Security comes with many other benefits.
In this article, we will discuss what social security is, how one can apply for social security, what documents are required, and everything that one might want to know about.
What is Social Security?
Social Security is defined as a source of income for retired persons. It gives financial benefits to those who have passed the age of 62. It is also provided to those who are unable to do physical tasks. The federal department manages it and gives financial freedom to retired citizens.
How to Apply for Social Security?
There are multiple ways in which one can apply for social security. You can apply for social security four months in advance before you reach the actual retirement age i.e. 62 years.
Those who have applied for social security and have reached 62 years will start receiving the benefits as per their rules. To apply for social security, the Social Security Administration has its official website.
Go to their official website and fill out the application form online when you create an account. New applicants will receive their first payment after reaching the required 62 years and 1 month as it lags a month.
If you are unfamiliar with the online procedure, you can even dial up their official contact number i.e. 800-772-1213 for guidance. After discussing your situation with the authorized person, you will be given an appointment to meet the local officer at your nearest local social securityoffice for further discussion about the application process.
While applying for social security, one has to acquire all the documents and information in advance. Make sure that you have all the required documents in your hands before visiting your local social security location.
When to apply for Social Security?
You will start receiving your social security benefits once you reach 62 years of age. However, if you want to receive higher benefits from the same, you can wait for a few years until you complete the full retirement age i.e. 67 years. Moreover, you can even earn larger benefits if you wait 70 years.
If you are asking about the time when you can first apply for social security, it is four months before you reach the age of 62 years. You will start receiving your first benefit after 62 years and one month. So the earliest age to apply for social security is 61 years and nine months.
What documents do you need while applying for Social Security?
If we talk about the procedure, then you will have to create your online account on SSA’s official portal. Create your Social Security Account at the MySocialSecurity portal.
While creating a new account, a registration form will be presented to you. You have to fill in the required details as per the form with the exact details as they show in your official documents. You must keep the following information and documents handy when applying for Social Security Benefits.
- Your mobile phone number
- Credit Card details
- Tax Forms
- W-2’s
After creating an online account, start the application procedure to apply for Social Security benefits for yourself or your spouse. For that, you need to have the following documents and information.
Personal Information
In this section, you will be asked to give your personal information i.e. about you, such as your date of birth, your citizenship status, your birth certificate, authorization letter to work in the US.
About Your Spouse
Here, you will be asked to fill in the information about your current and ex-spouse. Their date of birth, social security numbers if they have any, places of marriage, and other information as per the application form.
About Your Kids
You will be asked to provide the information of your kids below 18. You have to give information about their school, etc. If your kids have disabilities before age 22, you have to give information about that too.
Previous information about Social Security
If you have applied for Social Security in the past, you must give details about that application here. This additional information column will ask you to add information about Medicare or any other supplemental security income.
Bank Account Details
Make sure to add the details of your bank account where you will start receiving the benefits from the SSA.
Month of Benefit
When do you want Social Security Benefits to be credited to your account? Enter the month and year when you want to start receiving the benefits.
Your Work History
You will be asked about your previous work history i.e. your employer, your earnings, any other benefits that you might have received from the federal departments, your ability to work, etc. All such information is given in their official portal, which you can visit.
Social Security Benefits: Frequently Asked Questions
If we talk about the present year, the total social security benefit that one will get after completing full retirement age is $3,627 per month. The full retirement age is 67 years.
Social Security Benefits can be collected once you complete 62 years of age. However, you must wait until you complete 67 years to get the largest benefit. If you can wait until 70, the benefits will be even higher. If you do not require money after 62 years, wait for a few more years to get more benefits.
Is there any rise in Social Security in the present year?
The Social Security benefits increased to 8.7% in the present year. This adds up to $146 per month. However, if we compare it with the yearly increase, it is the highest since 1981
Final Words:
Social Security Income is the key resource of finance for all those who have retired. It is the only source of income to spend retiring years happily with no worry about the money. The amount received as Social Security Income can be spent on buying essential things. Make sure to collect all the information about Social Security to get the maximum benefits.
See Also
Financial Help for Seniors on Social Security
Grants for Senior Dental Implants
Medical Insurance for College Students
Social Security Disability Benefits Pay Chart
I am a dedicated healthcare researcher and an enthusiast specializing in medical grants, medical education and research. Through my articles, I aim to empower healthcare professionals and researchers with valuable insights and resources to navigate these critical aspects effectively.
Having sharpened her skills as a validation manager in the fast-paced world of Cybersecurity over a decade, Andrea now applies her expertise to raise the standards of the fact-checking space. As a meticulous fact-checker, she diligently validates the claims presented in our articles, leaving no room for misinformation or ambiguity.
Follow us