Retiring may be an thrilling a part of life — you may lastly calm down and tackle some hobbies you have by no means had time for. Nevertheless it may also be complicated — particularly relating to making use of to your earned Social Security benefits and ensuring your health insurance is lined up. Don’t be concerned, we’ll stroll you thru the fundamentals beneath.
Earlier than you apply, be sure to know whenever you’d like to start receiving your Social Safety advantages — as an example, should you flip 65 in November 2024, you would possibly need to start receiving your advantages then. Notice that you could start receiving your Social Safety cash as early as age 62 for a smaller payout, or wait until age 70 to obtain your largest month-to-month profit quantity. This is the maximum amount you can receive.
We’ll clarify the whole lot you will have to have readily available whenever you begin your Social Safety software and how you can apply. For extra, this is the Social Security payment schedule.
Collect this information earlier than making use of for Social Safety advantages
Whenever you’re prepared to use to your Social Safety advantages, you will want this info readily available.
Private info:
- Your Social Safety quantity
- The place you have been born (metropolis, state, nation)
Employment info:
- Names of employers for the previous two years
- Dates of employment
Present and previous partner info:
- Your present or former partner’s Social Safety quantity and birthday
- Date you bought married or divorced
- The place you bought married (metropolis, state, nation)
Banking particulars:
- Routing and account quantity to your checking account
Identify of eligible youngsters:
- Your youngsters may very well be eligible for advantages in the event that they’re underneath age 18, or 18 or 19 and nonetheless in highschool, or who turned disabled earlier than 22.
The way to apply for Social Safety advantages
Whenever you’re prepared to use for Social Safety advantages, go to ssa.gov/apply. If you have not but created a Social Safety account, you’ll need to now. Create a free My Social Safety account.
From right here, you will choose who you need to apply for and what you need to apply for. Your selections embody a number of varieties of advantages, together with retirement, household, incapacity and survivor advantages. As soon as you have made your choice, click on Discover ways to apply.
Subsequent, you will scroll all the way down to the field that claims “Submit an software.” Click on Begin software and browse via the phrases of service and test the “I agree” field to maneuver on to the following step.
If you have not already, you will be prompted to check in to your My Social Security account earlier than you begin the appliance, and you will have to confirm your electronic mail handle. Comply with the onscreen prompts to finish the appliance.
When you need assistance making use of, you can too arrange an appointment with a Social Safety agent by calling 800-772-1213. They will both arrange a cellphone or an in-person appointment.
When will I hear again about my software?
As soon as your software has been submitted, the Social Safety Administration says it’s best to get a letter within the mail inside 30 days of the month you requested your advantages to start out. Your letter will both affirm your advantages are authorized or will ask for extra info.
It’s also possible to maintain tabs in your software by checking the standing with this Social Security tool.
As soon as you start receiving Social Safety advantages, you should still have to file your taxes — find out here. Additionally, this is what would happen to your Social Security check within the occasion of a authorities shutdown.