You can:
- Apply online (it should take about 15 minutes)
- By telephone — 1-800-772-1213
- In person at your local Social Security office — an appointment, made by phone, is required – 1-800-772-1213.
How do I determine my social security benefit?
Try refreshing the page. Today's Social Security column addresses questions about how Social Security spousal benefits are calculated, whether it's necessary to file in January to get a given year's COLA and what effects of benefits rates not paying taxes can have.
When should I take Social Security to maximize my benefits?
You can expect the following when applying for Social Security spousal benefits:
- You can receive up to 50% of your spouse’s Social Security benefit.
- You can apply for benefits if you have been married for at least one year.
- If you have been divorced for at least two years, you can apply if the marriage lasted 10 or more years.
- Starting benefits early may lead to a reduction in payments.
When can you start collecting Social Security?
To claim Social Security spousal benefits, you’ll need to meet certain criteria, including being at least age 62 in most cases. Your spouse or ex-spouse also must be living. Keep in mind that the criteria for spousal benefits varies depending on whether you’re married or divorced.
How can you get the maximum Social Security benefit?
Social Security benefits ... you've never checked your earnings record, you'll want to go back as far as you can in comparing reported income to the amount you know you made. This could mean digging out old tax records and paperwork. But once you get ...
Is it better to apply for Social Security online or in person?
Applying online is the easiest way to complete your application at a time that works for you, without a trip to the Social Security office.
How long does it take to get Social Security after you apply?
Once you have applied, it could take up to three months to receive your first benefit payment. Social Security benefits are paid monthly, starting in the month after the birthday at which you attain full retirement age (which is currently 66 and will gradually rise to 67 over the next several years).
What are the requirements to collect Social Security benefits?
You can receive Social Security benefits based on your earnings record if you are age 62 or older, or disabled or blind and have enough work credits. Family members who qualify for benefits on your work record do not need work credits.
What is the first step in applying for Social Security?
Just follow these 5 steps.Step 1: Make sure you want to apply. Make sure you make the right decision about when to apply. ... Step 2: Assess eligibility. Make sure you are eligible. ... Step 3: Gather documents. ... Step 4: Complete application. ... Step 5: Monitor status.
How much money can you have in the bank on Social Security retirement?
$2,000You can have up to $2,000 in cash or in the bank and still qualify for, or collect, SSI (Supplemental Security Income).
Is it better to take Social Security at 62 or 67?
The short answer is yes. Retirees who begin collecting Social Security at 62 instead of at the full retirement age (67 for those born in 1960 or later) can expect their monthly benefits to be 30% lower. So, delaying claiming until 67 will result in a larger monthly check.
What is the average Social Security benefit at age 62?
According to payout statistics from the Social Security Administration in June 2020, the average Social Security benefit at age 62 is $1,130.16 a month, or $13,561.92 a year.
How do I earn 40 credits on Social Security?
You can work all year to earn four credits, or you can earn enough for all four in a much shorter length of time. If you earn four credits a year, then you will earn 40 credits after 10 years of work. Each year the amount of earnings needed to earn one credit goes up slightly as average wages increase.
What is the average Social Security benefit at age 62 in 2021?
At age 62: $2,364. At age 65: $2,993. At age 66: $3,240. At age 70: $4,194.
What questions are asked when applying for Social Security benefits?
What is the maximum Social Security retirement benefit payable? At what age should I start receiving my Social Security retirement benefits? Will you lower my Social Security benefits if I get a pension from work not covered by Social Security? How do I apply for Social Security retirement benefits?
At what age is Social Security no longer taxed?
At 65 to 67, depending on the year of your birth, you are at full retirement age and can get full Social Security retirement benefits tax-free.
When do you get your Social Security check?
If you are due benefits for the month of December, you will receive your first check in January for December.
How long do you have to withdraw Social Security?
Sometimes, life changes occur after you submit your application. You have up to 12 months to withdraw your application, if you change your mind. You will be required to repay any benefits you’ve already received. Learn more about Withdrawing Your Social Security Retirement Application.
How old do you have to be to get unemployment?
You must be at least age 62 for the entire month to be eligible to receive benefits. If you were born on the first or second day of the month, you meet this requirement in the month of your 62nd birthday. If you were born on any other day of the month, you do not meet this requirement until the following month.
What to do if you get stuck on a question?
If you get stuck on a question, you can skip to the next question and come back later.
How to maximize Social Security?
Or, you might consider the following rules of thumb: 1 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 2 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. 3 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 (age 70), so as to maximize the benefits you receive from it. 4 Other: If you have dependent children, the additional benefits you receive for them might make filing when you are younger worthwhile.
What age do you need to be to get your spouse's Social Security number?
Spouse’s Social Security number and birth date and the beginning and ending dates of marriage (s) Names and birth dates of any children who became disabled prior to age 22 or who are under age 18 (and unmarried). You will also want names and birth dates for children who are aged 18-19 who are still attending secondary school full time.
What is Social Security Explorer?
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.
How much is deducted from Social Security?
For every month prior to your full retirement age that you begin taking benefits, around 0.55% is deducted from your payout. And, for every year that you defer your benefits, you will receive a larger amount when you finally do begin drawing Social Security. The amount of the bonus is dependent, once more, on your birth date.
How old do you have to be to get your spouse's Social Security?
Retirement or Spouse’s Benefits – You must be at least 61 years and 9 months in age and want your benefits to start in no more than four months. Check out our Apply for Benefits page for information on how to apply.
Can I apply for SSI online?
If you meet certain requirements, you may apply online. If you are not able to apply online, call your local Social Security office to apply.
How to apply for Social Security benefits in person?
You can do that by phone at 800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET. To apply for Social Security of any kind while living abroad, contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
How to apply for survivor benefits?
To apply for survivor benefits, make sure you have: 1 The Social Security number and death certificate of the late wage earner on whose record you are applying. 2 Your Social Security number and those of any dependent children. 3 Your birth certificate or an acceptable religious record of your birth (such as a baptismal certificate). 4 Your marriage certificate (and divorce papers if filing as a former spouse ). 5 Tax records documenting your earnings.
What is needed to file for disability?
Along with the usual personal data (such as birth certificate and employment and earnings records), you’ll need to provide extensive documentation of your medical history and treatment and file an Adult Disability Report. The SSDI process also includes an interview, in person or by phone. You’ll find detailed information in Social Security’s Adult Disability Starter Kit.
How long is the waiting period for SSDI?
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits have a five month waiting period, which means that benefit payments will not begin before the sixth full month of disability. The SSDI waiting period begins the first full month after the date we decide your disability began. There is no waiting period if your disability results ...
What is the Blue Book of Social Security Disability?
Disability Evaluation Under Social Security (Also known as The Blue Book) - Medical criteria for evaluating Social Security disability claims
When will I get my ALS disability?
There is no waiting period if your disability results from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and you are approved for SSDI benefits on or after July 23, 2020. We pay Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits for the first full month after the date you filed your claim, or, if later, the date you become eligible for SSI.
What is a disability starter kit?
The Disability Starter Kit will help you get ready for your disability interview or online application. Kits are available for adults and for children under age 18.
What is SSI for disabled people?
We are with those who need a helping hand. The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program provides support to disabled adults and children who have limited income and resources, as well as people age 65 and older who are not disabled but have limited income and resources.
Why do we pay disability benefits to people who can't work?
We pay disability benefits to those who can’t work because they have a medical condition that’s expected to last at least one year or result in death. Find out how Social Security can help you and how you can manage your benefits. LEARN MORE.
How do I apply for SSI?
You can apply for SSI benefits by: Visiting our Apply Online for Disability Benefits website to start the disability application process online. You may be eligible to apply for SSI through the online disability application. Calling us at 1-800-772-1213 (or TTY 1-800-325-0778 if you are deaf or hard of hearing) and making an appointment ...
When does SSI end for disabled youth?
If you are a disabled youth in foster care, eligibility for foster care payments in most States ends when you attain age 18. You may need the income support and health services that result from SSI eligibility to ease the transition to independent living.
What happens if I don't keep my SSI appointment?
The letter will say that if you file an application within 60 days from the date of the letter, we will use the date of your original contact with us as your SSI application date.
Where can I get a copy of my case file?
You or your appointed representative may request and examine or get a copy of the information in your case file. Also, you or your representative may access www.ssa.gov/ssi/ssi-law-regs.htm to review and copy the laws, regulations and policy statements used in deciding your case.
Do you have to provide information to get SSI?
You will have to provide information and work with us to get documents concerning SSI eligibility.
Do you have to go to the medical exam to get SSI?
If you are applying because you have a disability or are blind and we decide that the medical information needed to make a determination is not available from existing sources, we will pay for you to have a medical exam or test and make the appointment for you. If you need a medical exam or test, you must go to the exam or test before we can determine whether you are eligible to receive SSI. In some circumstances we may also pay your travel costs to get to this exam or test.
Can you appeal SSI?
You may appeal most determinations we make about your eligibility for SSI or changes we make in your benefit amount.
