How To Apply For Ssa Retirement Benefits

Is My Child Eligible For Benefits

To qualify for Social Security Child’s Insurance Benefits, you and your child must meet certain requirements. As a parent, you must have worked and earned enough Social Security credits , and you must also be eligible to receive Social Security retirement or disability benefits. Children can also receive benefits if they have a deceased parent.

For a child to qualify for benefits, they must be unmarried, dependent on the parent and must meet at least one of the following criteria.

• They’re under age 18.

You can check your child’s eligibility by using the Social Security Administration’s screening tool.

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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How Do You Apply

You can apply online by using our Social Security Retirement/Medicare Benefit Application to apply for retirement, spouse’s, divorced spouse’s or Medicare benefits.

If you and your spouse apply online for retirement benefits at the same time, or if your spouse applies online after you start receiving benefits, we will check their eligibility for benefits as a spouse. If they are qualified, the online application will automatically include a request for spousal benefits on your record.

If your spouse applies for benefits, they need to be ready to supply the information we need to approve their application for these benefits:

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Eligible Family Members Include:

• Ex-spouses, if the marriage lasted for at least 10 years and they have not remarried
• Children under 18, or up to 19 if still enrolled in high school
• Children of any age who were disabled before 22 — that is, not earning more than $1,260 per month in 2020, having a medical condition that results in severe functional limitations and that is expected to last 12 months or longer or result in death

Spouses and ex-spouses must be at least 62 in order to claim benefits, and spouses and children must wait for the worker to begin claiming benefits themselves before they can claim family benefits on their record.

What Is A Social Security Card

Your Social Security card is an important piece of identification. You’ll need one to get a job, collect Social Security, or receive other government benefits.

When you apply for a Social Security number , the Social Security Administration will assign you a nine-digit number. This is the same number that is printed on the Social Security card that SSA will issue you. If you change your name, you will need to get a corrected card.

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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.

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.

To draw full retirement benefits, the following Social Security Administration age rules apply:

Born in 1937 or earlier â Full retirement can be drawn at age 65Born in 1938 â Full retirement can be drawn at age 65 years and 2 monthsBorn in 1939 â Full retirement can be drawn at age 65 years and 4 monthsBorn in 1940 â Full retirement can be drawn at age 65 years and 6 monthsBorn in 1941 â Full retirement can be drawn at age 65 years and 8 monthsBorn in 1942 â Full retirement can be drawn at age 65 years and 10 monthsBorn in 1943-1954 â Full retirement can be drawn at age 66Born in 1955 â Full retirement can be drawn at age 66 and 2 monthsBorn in 1956 â Full retirement can be drawn at age 66 and 4 monthsBorn in 1957 â Full retirement can be drawn at age 66 and 6 monthsBorn in 1958 â Full retirement can be drawn at age 66 and 8 monthsBorn in 1959 â Full retirement can be drawn at age 66 and 10 monthsBorn in 1960 or later â Full retirement can be drawn at age 67

For example, people who waited until age 70 to retire in 2017 could get a maximum benefit of $3,538.

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How To Apply For Social Security Retirement Benefits

• If you qualify for federal government retirement benefits, you’ll likely get them through the Social Security Administration. Find out how and when to apply for these benefits.

Social Security benefits are available for several purposes. In some cases, people receive Social Security disability payments, for example. But the most common thing people think of related to the Social Security Administration is retirement benefits.

Find out more about who qualifies for SSA retirement payments and how to apply for yours below.

How Do You Apply For Ssa Retirement Benefits

You can apply for Social Security benefits online via the SSA’s benefits application form. The SSA says that you should apply four months before you want your retirement benefits to start.

You can also apply via phone by calling 800-772-1213. When Social Security Administration offices are open to the public, you can also get help with applying for benefits in your local office.

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Your Options: Working Applying For Retirement Benefits Or Both

Choosing when to start receiving your Social Security retirement benefits is an important decision. Theres no one choice that works for everyone because your lifestyle, finances, and goals are not the same as others.

Do you want to retire early, stay on the job, or work beyond retirement age?

Should you start receiving retirement benefits now, or wait until you can receive a higher benefit amount?

These are important questions youll need to answer as you plan for your retirement. Consider the four options below to help you make the best decision.

Questions About The Social Security Administration

How Do I Apply For Disability Benefits?

To apply for benefits, contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213. They have a TTY phone connection at 1-800-325-0778. You can ask SSA to send you the correct forms, and they can answer questions you may have.

How Do I Apply For Supplemental Security Income ?

To apply for benefits or to ask questions, contact the SSA at 1-800-772-1213. They have a TTY phone connections as well at 1-800-325-0778.

Supplemental Security Income is an income assistance program administered by the Social Security Administration for people who are elderly , blind, or disabled who don’t have many assets and who don’t earn much money

To apply for benefits or to get more information about the SSA retirement program, call 1-800-772-1213. They have a TTY phone connection as well at 1-800-325-0778.

How Do I Apply for Survivors’ Benefits?

A family member or other person responsible for the beneficiary’s affairs should do the following:

How Do I Apply For Medicare Benefits?

If you are already getting Social Security retirement or disability benefits or railroad retirement checks, Social Security will contact you a few months before you become eligible for Medicare and give you the information you need to register.

If you are not already getting checks, you should contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 about three months before your 65th Birthday to sign up for Medicare. They also have a TTY phone connection at 1-800-325-0778.

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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 youâve 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.

If You Don’t Have All Of The Documents

Even if you don’t have everything, don’t delay applying for Social Security retirement benefits. You can provide the missing documents later. We may be able to help you get them.

In many cases, your local Social Security office can contact your state Bureau of Vital Statistics and verify your information online at no cost to you or find other ways to get the information we need.

If you delay signing up, you could lose some benefits you may be due.

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A Guide On Taking Social Security

Deciding when to take Social Security depends heavily on your circumstances. You can start taking it as early as age 62 , or you can wait until you’ve reached full retirement age or age 70 based on your work history. While there’s no “correct” claiming age for everybody, the rule of thumb is that if you can afford to wait, delaying Social Security can pay off over a long retirement. Here are some guidelines to consider.

How To Get A Social Security Card

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Effect Of Delaying Retirement Benefits

1Represents Full Retirement Age based on DOB January 2, 1960

2PIA = The primary insurance amount is the basis for benefits that are paid to an individual

That higher baseline would last for the rest of your retirement and serve as the basis for future increases linked to inflation. While it’s important to consider your personal circumstancesâit’s not always possible to wait, particularly if you are in poor health or can’t afford to delayâthe benefits of waiting can be significant.

Be aware that if you decide to wait past age 65, you may still need to sign up for Medicare. In some circumstances your Medicare coverage may be delayed and cost more if you don’t sign up at age 65. If you start Social Security benefits early, you’ll automatically be enrolled into Medicare Parts A and B when you turn age 65.

Your annual Social Security statement will list your projected benefits between age 62 to 70, assuming you continue to work and earn about the same amount through those ages. If you need a copy of your annual statement, you can request one or view it online on the Social Security Administration portal.

Benefits For Your Children

When you qualify for Social Security retirement benefits, your children may also qualify to receive benefits on your record. Your eligible child can be your biological child, adopted child, or stepchild. A dependent grandchild may also qualify.

To receive benefits, the child must:

• Be 18 or older and disabled from a disability that started before age 22.

Benefits stop when children reach age 18 unless they are disabled. However, if the child is still a full-time student at a secondary school at age 18, benefits will continue until the child graduates or until two months after the child becomes age 19, whichever is first.

Benefits paid for your child will not decrease your retirement benefit. In fact, the value of the benefits they may receive, added to your own, may help you decide if taking your benefits sooner may be more advantageous.

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Documents You May Need To Provide

We may ask you to provide documents to show that you are eligible, such as:

• Birth certificate or other proof of birth
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status if you were not born in the United States
• U.S. military discharge paper if you had military service before 1968
• W-2 forms and/or self-employment tax returns for last year
• An Adult Disability Report that collects more details about your illnesses, injuries or conditions, and your work history
• Medical evidence already in your possession. This includes medical records, doctors’ reports, and recent test results and
• Award letters, pay stubs, settlement agreements or other proof of any temporary or permanent workers’ compensation-type benefits you received .

Important

We accept photocopies of W-2 forms, self-employment tax returns or medical documents, but we must see the original 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.

Should I Wait Until Full Retirement Age To Apply For Social Security

Receiving Social Security at age 62 means that you will receive a reduced payment compared with waiting for full retirement age. For those born in 1960 or later, the reduction is 30%, and all reductions are permanent. If you delay taking your benefits past full retirement age, then you receive an 8% increase for each full year that you do so, up until you reach 70, at which point the increases stop.

Every individual can calculate their own full retirement age based on their specific birthday, to consider locking in the maximum amount of Social Security benefits.

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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 youâre currently getting. If a child is eligible for survivors benefits, they can get up to 75% of the deceased parentâs basic Social Security benefit.

However, thereâs 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 personâs benefit is reduced proportionately until the total equals the maximum allowable amount.

As the parent, your benefit amount will not be reduced because itâs not part of the maximum allowable amount.

The amount your child could get depends on how much you get.

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 .

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