- Make sure you want to apply. Make sure you make the right decision about when to apply. This is a decision that impacts the rest of your life.
- Assess eligibility. Make sure you are eligible. To apply for Social Security benefits you must be at least 61 years and 9 months old and have worked at ...
- Gather documents. This step might be the hardest part, but still very straightforward. ...
- Complete application. With the information listed above, you should be able to complete your application. In person at your local Social Security office.
- Monitor status. Once your application is submitted, the Social Security Administration will contact you if they have any questions.
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 age is best to start taking social security?
There are many factors that can influence the best time for you:
- Are you married or single?
- What is the age difference between you and spouse, if married.
- What is the income difference between you and your spouse, if married.
- Do you have children age 18 or younger?
- Are you widowed?
- Are you still working or fully retired?
How much can I make and still get Social Security?
You are receiving Social Security retirement benefits every month in 2022 and you:
- Are under full retirement age all year. ...
- Reach full retirement age in August 2022. ...
- Your Social Security benefits would be reduced through July by $226 ($1 for every $3 you earned over the limit). ...
- Beginning in August 2021, when you reach full retirement age, you would receive your full benefit ($800 per month), no matter how much you earn.
What happens if you work after starting Social Security?
If you start a new job after you begin receiving Social Security benefits ... How Much Can You Earn While Receiving Social Security? If you opt to work while receiving Social Security before your full retirement age, you will only be able to receive ...
How long does it take to start receiving Social Security benefits after applying?
approximately six weeksThe 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.
How do I begin my Social Security payments?
You can apply:Online; or.By calling our national toll-free service at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visiting your local Social Security office. ... If you do not live in the U.S. or one of its territories, you can also contact your nearest U.S. Social Security office, U.S. Embassy or consulate.
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.
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.
Does Social Security start on your birthday or birth month?
Schedule of SS payments They start the month following the birthday. The schedule, according to AARP, follows this rule: When the birth date falls between the 1st and 10th of the month, the payment is issued on the second Wednesday of the month following the birthday month.
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.
How soon after your birthday do you get your first Social Security check?
Payment Schedules This means that if you turn 62 on Dec. 15, then your first payment will arrive on the third Wednesday of the following February. If your birthday is Dec. 15 and you are already over age 62, then your first payment should arrive on the third Wednesday of the month following the month when you apply.
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.
Ways to Apply
You can complete an application for Retirement, Spouse's, Medicare or Disability Benefits online.
Retirement or Spouse's Benefits
You can apply online for Retirement or spouse's benefits or continue an application you already started.
Disability Benefits
You can apply online for disability benefits or continue an application you already started.
Appeal a Disability Decision
If your application for disability benefits was denied recently for medical reasons, you can request an appeal online or continue working on an appeal you already started.
Medicare Benefits
You can apply online for Medicare or continue an application you already started.
Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Costs
You can apply online for Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug costs.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits
If you want to apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), please read:
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.
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 long do you have to wait to get Medicare if you are 65?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) also cautions that even if you delay receiving Social Security benefits until after age 65, you might still need to apply for Medicare benefits within three months of turning 65 to avoid paying higher premiums for life for Medicare Part B and Part D.
How much is a month of benefits at 62?
If, for example, you’d get $1,500 a month starting at age 62 or $2,000 a month starting at age 66, you will have received roughly the same amount in total benefits by age 77 or so. At that point the higher monthly benefits you’d get as a result of waiting will begin to pay off.
How much is my unemployment check at 62?
In other words, you’ll get 25% less per month, and your check will be $1,500. 1 .
Can a spouse get Social Security if they don't work?
Spouses who don’t qualify for their own Social Security. Spouses who didn’t work at a paid job or didn’t earn enough credits to qualify for Social Security on their own are eligible to receive benefits starting at age 62 based on their spouse’s record.
Do marginal tax rates affect Social Security?
At today’s marginal tax rates, they may not have much of an impact on most people. Still, tax rates and income thresholds can change, so it’s worth remembering that you will lose less of your Social Security to taxes if you are in a lower marginal tax bracket when you begin to collect.
Is Social Security taxable?
Your Social Security benefits may be partially taxable if your combined income exceeds certain thresholds. Regardless of how much you make, the first 15% of your benefits are not taxed. 10
Can a divorced spouse take Social Security?
Being married can further complicate the decision of when to take Social Security, because of the program’s spousal benefits. Some divorced spouses are also entitled to benefits based on their ex-spouse’s work record. 6
When will Social Security start paying my first check?
Thus, your first check could arrive the month before your actual birth month.
When do you turn 62 for Social Security?
In other words, for Social Security purposes, you turned 62 on August 9th. Fine, but why didn’t your benefit start in August? Because of another rule that only applies when you want to begin receiving retirement benefits at 62- the earliest age possible. This requires that “an individual must be age 62 for the entire month,” says Stump.
What is the earliest age to receive retirement benefits?
Age 62 : This is the earliest age you can begin to receive retirement benefits. Your monthly benefit will be permanently reduced. Age 66: This is currently “full retirement age” (FRA). If you delay the start of benefits until you reach this age, you will receive 100% of the benefit you earned.
How long before Social Security benefits are reduced?
Let’s say that when you learn that starting Social Security benefits before you are FRA will reduce your monthly check by 25%, you decide to wait until you are 66. At that point, you will receive 100% of your benefit. Following the recommendation on the Social Security website, you file online three months before you want your benefit to start, ...
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.
