What Other Purposes Can An Itin Serve
- Opening an interest-bearing bank account. Individuals who do not have a SSN but do have an ITIN may be able to open interest-bearing accounts.
- Securing a drivers license. Some states have allowed the ITIN to be used instead of a SSN in order to receive a drivers license, drivers permit, or state identification card.
- Providing proof of residency. At some point in the future, an immigrant may need to prove how long he or she has been in the United States and having a tax return filed using an ITIN is one way to show that.
What Do I Need To Know About Advance Designation
You should be aware of another type of representation called .
Advance Designation allows capable adult and emancipated minors who are applying for or receiving Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income, or Special Veterans Benefits the option to choose up to three people in advance who could serve as their representative payee, if the need arises.
In the event that you can no longer manage your benefits, you and your family will have peace of mind knowing that someone you trust may be appointed to manage your benefits for you. If you need a representative payee to assist with the management of your benefits, we will first consider your advance designees. We must still fully evaluate them and determine their suitability at that time.
You can submit and update your advance designation request when you apply for benefits or after you are already receiving benefits. You may do so through your personal account, contacting us by telephone at 1-800-772-1213 , or at .
Apply For Benefits Online
You should apply for disability benefits as soon as you develop a disability. Follow these easy steps to apply online for disability:
- To start your application, go to our Apply for Benefits page, and read and agree to the Terms of Service. Click Next.
- On that page, review the Getting Ready section to make sure you have the information you need to apply.
- Select Start A New Application.
- We will ask a few questions about who is filling out the application.
- You will then sign in to your personal mySocial Security account, or you will be prompted to create one.
- Complete the application.
You can use the online application to apply for disability benefits if you:
- Are age 18 or older.
- Are not currently receiving benefits on your own Social Security record.
- Are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.
- Have not been denied for disability in the last 60 days.
Note: If your application was recently denied, our application is a starting point to request a review of the determination we made.
You may be able to file online for SSI at the same time that you file for SSDI benefits. Once you complete the online process described above, a Social Security representative will contact you if we need additional information.
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You Can Request Your Card Online Today
Sign in or create an account to submit your request
You can replace your card online and receive it in 14 days. You can also use your account to check the status of your request and manage other benefits you receive from us.
Trouble signing in?
Start the application online and visit your local SSA office for additional guidance for completing your application.
Prefer to talk to someone?
Contact your local SSA office.
You can start your Social Security number card application online. Once you’ve submitted your request, visit your local SSA office for additional guidance for completing your application. You will need to give us some of the information you provided again.
What Is The Difference Between Retiring At 65 And 66
You might assume that 65 is your full retirement age for Social Security purposes because that’s when you’re first eligible for healthcare coverage under Medicare. But for people born between 1943 and 1954, full retirement age is 66. For those born between 1955 and 1959, it’s 66 and a certain number of months.
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How Much Can You Expect To Get
Your Social Security retirement benefit payment is based on how much you made during your working years. The more you earned, the more you’ll get when you retire.
Your Social Security retirement benefit payment is also affected by the age at which you decide to retire. You can retire as early as age 62, but if you retire before your full retirement age, your benefits will be permanently reduced, based on your age. For example, if you retire at age 62, your benefit would be about 25 percent lower than what it would be if you waited until you reach full retirement age.
You also need to remember that monthly premiums for Medicare Part B are usually deducted from monthly Social Security benefits. Retirement is a great time to look into the pros and cons of a private Medicare Advantage plan.
Retirement benefits are based on the recipients lifetime earnings in work in which they paid Social Security taxes. Higher income translates to a bigger benefit, up to a point. The amount to which retirees are entitled is modified by other factors, most crucially the age at which they first claim benefits.
For reference, the estimated average Social Security retirement benefit in 2021 is $1,543 a month. The maximum benefitthe most an individual retiree can getis $3,148 a month for someone who files for Social Security in 2021 at their full retirement age.
Documents You Will Need
Whether you apply online or in person, you will need the following information when you apply for your Social Security benefits:
- Your Social Security number
- Your W-2 forms or self-employment tax return for the last year you worked
- Your military discharge papers if you served in any branch of the military
If you choose to have your benefits paid through direct deposit, you will also need your bank’s name, your account number and your bank’s routing number as shown on the bottom of your checks.
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The Disability Application Process
Whether you apply online, by phone, or in person, the disability benefits application process follows these general steps:
- You gather the information and documents you need to apply. We recommend you print and review the . It will help you gather the information and documents you need to complete the application.
- You complete and submit your application.
- We review your application to make sure you meet our for disability benefits.
- We confirm you worked enough years to qualify.
- We evaluate any current work activities.
- We process your application and forward your case to the Disability Determination Services office in your state.
- This state agency makes the disability determination decision.
To learn more about who decides if you have a disability, read our publication .
Once You’ve Applied
Processing time for disability applications vary depending on the nature of the disability, necessary medical evidence or examinations, and applicable quality reviews.
Once we receive your application, well review it and contact you if we have questions. We might request additional documents from you before we can proceed.
Look For Our Response
When the state agency makes a determination on your case, youll receive a letter in the mail with our decision. It generally takes three to six months for an initial decision. If you included information about other family members when you applied, well let you know if they may be able to receive benefits on your record.
Check The Status
Is It Better To Collect Social Security At 66 Or 70
As you undoubtedly already are well aware, most financial planners recommend thatso long as you can afford to do soyou should wait until age 70 to begin receiving your Social Security benefits. Your monthly payment in such an event will be 32% higher than if you begin receiving benefits at age 66.
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If Youre Not Sure Why You Received A Payment
If you receive a check or direct deposit payment from the Treasury Department and do not know what its for, contact the regional financial center that issued it. Only the agency that authorized the payment can explain why you received it.
If you received a check, look for the RFCs city and state at the top center. Then contact that RFC to find out which federal agency authorized the payment. It will be one of these:
If you received payment byelectronic funds transfer , or direct deposit, follow the directions under Find Information About a Payment.
Use the Treasury Check Verification System to verify that the check is legitimate and issued by the government.
Can I Collect My Ex
Quick Answer
You might be able to get your ex-spouses Social Security benefits. But you must meet several qualifications before you can start receiving benefit checks.
In this article:
No surprise here: A divorce typically affects a couples finances. You may not be aware of one of the potentially positive effects, though. It turns out, you may be entitled to your ex-spouses Social Security benefits, which could add up to thousands of dollars a year. Those benefits are available only under certain conditions, however.
Heres how to find out whether you can claim those benefits.
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Information You Need To Apply
Before applying, be ready to provide information about yourself, your medical condition, and your work. We recommend you print and review the . It will help you gather the information you need to complete the application.
Information About You
- Your date and place of birth and Social Security number.
- The name, Social Security number, and date of birth or age of your current spouse and any former spouse. You should also know the dates and places of marriage and dates of divorce or death .
- Names and dates of birth of children not yet 18 years of age.
- Your bank or other and the account number.
Information About Your Medical Condition
- Name, address, and phone number of someone we can contact who knows about your medical conditions and can help with your application.
- Detailed information about your medical illnesses, injuries, or conditions:
- Names, addresses, phone numbers, patient ID numbers, and dates of treatment for all doctors, hospitals, and clinics.
- Names of medicines, the amount you are taking, and who prescribed them.
- Names and dates of medical tests you have had and who ordered them.
Information About Your Work:
- Award letters, pay stubs, settlement agreements, or other .
We accept photocopies of W-2 forms, self-employment tax returns, and medical documents, but we must see the originals of most other documents, such as your birth certificate.
Do not delay applying for benefits because you do not have all the documents. We will help you get them.
How To Apply For Social Security Benefits As An Ex
Follow these steps to apply for Social Security benefits as an ex-spouse:
Keep in mind that you cant apply for benefits online if youre a surviving divorced spouse. Instead, you must apply in person.
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How Much Could My Child Receive From Social Security Benefits
If your child is eligible for benefits, they could receive up to half of the full retirement or disability benefits you’re currently getting. If a child is eligible for survivors benefits, they can get up to 75% of the deceased parent’s basic Social Security benefit.
However, there’s a limit to how much your family can receive from Social Security. If the total amount payable to all family members exceeds a certain limit , each person’s benefit is reduced proportionately until the total equals the maximum allowable amount.
As the parent, your benefit amount will not be reduced because it’s not part of the maximum allowable amount.
The amount your child could get depends on how much you get.
How Much Social Security Can Spouses And Ex
If youre married, your spouse could help you score a bigger Social Security check. Even if youre divorced, your ex-spouse could help you land a higher benefit.
The reason: Social Security retirement benefits are based on your 35 highest-earning years of work. But if you qualify for spousal benefits, Social Security will base your benefit on your current or former spouses work record instead. Keep reading to learn how much you could squeeze out of spousal benefits in 2023.
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What Happens If Theres Another Ex
If theres more than one ex-spouse in the picture, both you and any other former spouse might qualify for benefits based on the earnings record of the mutual ex-spouse.
It isnt a matter of who gets there first you and all former spouses are entitled to the individuals Social Security regardless of who has or hasnt applied for themor when the benefits were applied for.
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When Should You Retire
To draw full retirement benefits, the following Social Security Administration age rules apply:
Born in 1937 or earlier – Full retirement can be drawn at age 65Born in 1938 – Full retirement can be drawn at age 65 years and 2 monthsBorn in 1939 — Full retirement can be drawn at age 65 years and 4 monthsBorn in 1940 — Full retirement can be drawn at age 65 years and 6 monthsBorn in 1941 — Full retirement can be drawn at age 65 years and 8 monthsBorn in 1942 — Full retirement can be drawn at age 65 years and 10 monthsBorn in 1943-1954 — Full retirement can be drawn at age 66Born in 1955 – Full retirement can be drawn at age 66 and 2 monthsBorn in 1956 — Full retirement can be drawn at age 66 and 4 monthsBorn in 1957 — Full retirement can be drawn at age 66 and 6 monthsBorn in 1958 — Full retirement can be drawn at age 66 and 8 monthsBorn in 1959 — Full retirement can be drawn at age 66 and 10 monthsBorn in 1960 or later — Full retirement can be drawn at age 67
Remember that while you can begin drawing Social Security retirement benefits at age 62, your benefits will be 25 percent less than what they will be if you wait until your full retirement age as shown above. Also keep in mind that no matter when you start drawing Social Security benefits, you must be 65 to be eligible for Medicare.
For example, people who waited until age 70 to retire in 2017 could get a maximum benefit of $3,538.
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Lost Or Stolen Federal Payments
Report your lost, missing, or stolen federal check to the agency that issued the payment. Its usually one of these paying agencies. If your documentation indicates its a different agency, and you need its contact information, look in the A-Z Index of U.S. Government Departments and Agencies.
To get an update on your claim, contact the Treasury Department Philadelphia Financial Center at 1-855-868-0151, option 1.
When Can You File For Social Security
The earliest when you can apply for Social Security benefits is at age 61 and nine months, and you can expect to receive your first payment four months laterthe month after your birthday. Typically, Social Security benefits are paid the month after they are due or must be specified. For example, the Social Security website states that an individual who wants their benefits to start in May will receive their first benefit check in June.
For example, if you turn 62 on Dec. 15, then your first full month of eligibility is January, and your payment for that month will arrive in February. If you have already reached age 62 and met all other eligibility criteria, then you may begin collecting benefits in the same month when you apply if you specify, although your first payment still would not arrive until the following month.
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Calculate The Best Time To Start Social Security
If you are confused about when to start, you can use the Social Security Explorer part of the NewRetirement Retirement Planner to compare your monthly income and maximum lifetime payout at different ages.
Or, you might consider the following rules of thumb:
- Take Early: The only people who should consider taking their Social Security early are those who absolutely need the money immediately, or those who do not expect to live for very long, due to illness
- Take at Full Retirement Age: Should you have reason to believe that you will not live past the age of 80, then generally speaking you will maximize your social security benefits if you take them when you reach your Full Retirement Age.
- Wait as Long as Possible: On the other hand, if you are confident that you will live past the age of 80 or 85, then most experts recommend that you defer your social security for as long as you can , so as to maximize the benefits you receive from it.
- Other: If you have dependent children, the additional benefits you receive for them might make filing when you are younger worthwhile.
It can also be a very good idea to have an overall retirement plan before you decide when to start your Social Security benefits. The NewRetirement Retirement Planner can help you assess all of your sources of retirement income and whether or not you will have enough to cover your expenses. This tool was recently named a best retirement calculator by the American Association of Individual Investors .