how do i collect my social security benefits

^{How to Collect Social Security}

• Method 1 of 4: Preparing to Make a Claim for Retirement Benefits. Determine the eligibility requirements. ...
• Method 2 of 4: Applying for Social Security Benefits. Apply online. There are a few different ways in which you can make your claim for Social Security retirement benefits.
• Method 3 of 4: Applying for Social Security Disability Benefits. Determine whether you can apply. ...
• Method 4 of 4: Receiving the Payments. Get a monthly payment. With both retirement and disability benefits, you will be receive a monthly payment directly into your bank account.

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.

What are the rules for collecting Social Security?

While there's a lot of complicated Social Security rules that apply in different situations, such as to married couples, there are two basic rules every senior considering early retirement needs to know in order to avoid accidentally ending up with far less money than they expect from Social Security. 1.

What is the best way to collect Social Security?

These include:

• Your date and place of birth
• Your Social Security number
• If you are not a United States citizen, you will need your permanent resident card number
• Name of current spouse and the name of any prior spouse (if you were married for more than 10 years or if the marriage ended in death). ...

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How to start SSI benefits?

• Verify your intent to file.
• Confirm the information provided.
• Obtain any additional information needed.
• Offer you the opportunity to provide your verbal consent to sign the application.

How long does it take to start receiving Social Security benefits after applying?

The Social Security approval process is relatively speedy, but as it is a government program with a huge number of applicants, you can expect to wait approximately six weeks before you get your approval for benefits.

When should I apply for Social Security benefits?

You can apply up to four months before you want your retirement benefits to start. For example, if you turn 62 on December 2, you can start your benefits as early as December, and apply in August. Even if you are not ready to retire, you still should sign up for Medicare three months before your 65th birthday.

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.

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 are the advantages and disadvantages of taking your retirement benefits before your full retirement age?

The advantage is that you collect benefits for a longer period of time. The disadvantage is your benefit will be reduced. Each person's situation is different.

Is it better to collect your retirement benefits before retirement?

There are advantages and disadvantages to taking your benefit before your full retirement age. The advantage is that you collect benefits for a longer period of time. The disadvantage is your benefit will be reduced. Each person's situation is different.

What to do if you don't receive Social Security?

Get estimates for spouse’s benefits. Get proof that you do not receive benefits. Check your application status. Get your Social Security Statement.

What is a free Social Security account?

A free and secure my Social Security account provides personalized tools for everyone, whether you receive benefits or not. You can use your account to request a replacement Social Security card, check the status of an application, estimate future benefits, or manage the benefits you already receive. All from anywhere!

You Can Receive Benefits Before Your Full Retirement Age

You can start receiving your Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62, but the benefit amount will be lower than your full retirement benefit amount.

Working While Receiving Benefits

You may work after you start receiving benefits, which could mean a higher benefit for you in the future. We may withhold some of your benefits if you earn more than the yearly earnings limit. Sometimes people who retire in mid-year already have earned more than the annual earnings limit. However:

How old do you have to be to get spouse's Social Security?

To qualify for spouse’s benefits, you must be one of these: At least 62 years of age.

When will my spouse receive my full retirement?

You will receive your full spouse’s benefit amount if you wait until you reach full retirement age to begin receiving benefits. You will also receive the full amount if you are caring for a child entitled to receive benefits on your spouse’s record who is younger than age 16 or disabled.

What happens if your spouse's retirement benefits are higher than your own?

If your benefits as a spouse are higher than your own retirement benefits, you will get a combination of benefits equaling the higher spouse benefit. Here is an example: Mary Ann qualifies for a retirement benefit of $250 and a spouse’s benefit of $400.

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.

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.

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.

How much of a survivor's Social Security benefit do you get if you have a child?

If the survivor benefit is based on your caring for a child, you receive 75 percent of the deceased’s benefit, regardless of your own age when you file. Keep in mind. Your spousal benefit is not affected by the age at which your husband or wife claimed Social Security benefits.

How long do you have to be married to collect spousal benefits?

You qualify for spousal benefits if: Your spouse is already collecting retirement benefits. You have been married for at least a year. You are at least 62 (unless you are caring for a child who is under 16 or disabled, in which case the age rule does not apply).

What percentage of survivor benefits are based on a child?

If the survivor benefit is based on your caring for a child, you receive 75 percent of the deceased’s benefit, ...

How much is spousal benefit?

Depending on your age upon claiming, spousal benefits can range from 32.5 percent to 50 percent of your husband’s or wife’s primary insurance amount (the retirement benefit to which he or she is entitled at full retirement age, or FRA).

What is survivor benefit?

In most cases, survivor benefits are based on the benefit amount the late spouse was receiving, or was eligible to receive, when he or she died. How much of that amount you are entitled to depends on your age when you file.

How long do you have to be married to receive survivor benefits?

The chief criteria to qualify for survivor benefits are: You were married to the deceased for at least nine months (unless the death is accidental or occurs in the line of military duty, in which case there is no minimum time period). You are at least age 60, unless you are disabled (then it’s 50) or caring for a child of ...

Does Social Security increase if late spouse files for FRA?

With survivor benefits, if your late spouse boosted his or her Social Security payment by waiting past FRA to file, your survivor benefit would also increase. Your spousal or survivor benefits may be reduced if you are under full retirement age and continue to work. Social Security is phasing in the FRA increase differently for different types ...

How old do you have to be to file for Social Security?

You must be at least age 22 to use the form at right. Lack of a substantial earnings history will cause retirement benefit estimates to be unreliable. Enter your date of birth ( month / day / year format) / /. Enter earnings in the current year: $. Your annual earnings must be earnings covered by Social Security.

What is the benefit estimate?

Benefit estimates depend on your date of birth and on your earnings history. For security, the "Quick Calculator" does not access your earnings record; instead, it will estimate your earnings based on information you provide. So benefit estimates made by the Quick Calculator are rough. Although the "Quick Calculator" makes an initial assumption ...

How old do you have to be to use Quick Calculator?

You must be at least age 22 to use the form at right.