how do you claim social security benefits

^{Follow these steps to apply online:}

• To start your application, go to our Apply for Benefits page, read and agree to the Terms of Service. Click “Next.”
• On that page, review the “Getting Ready” section to make sure you have the information you need to apply.
• Select “Start A New Application.”
• We will ask a few questions about who is filling out the application.
• You will then sign into your my Social Security account or you will be prompted to create one.
• Complete the application.

Full Answer

How to claim your Social Security benefits wisely?

The age you claim will have a major impact on your retirement, so it's crucial to choose wisely.

1. Age 62 Sixty-two is the most popular age to begin claiming Social Security benefits, according to a report from the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, with 48% ...
2. Your full retirement age Your full retirement age (FRA) is the age at which you'll collect 100% of the benefit amount you're entitled to. ...
3. Age 70

How long to process Social Security benefits?

How Long Does it Take to Receive Death Benefits?

• Life Insurance Proceeds. If the deceased had a life insurance policy, designated beneficiaries may be entitled to a payout. ...
• Social Security Death Benefit. ...
• Social Security Survivor Benefits. ...
• Applying for Social Security Benefits. ...

Should you take Social Security at 62?

You can receive benefits as early as age 62, but your monthly payments will be reduced by 25% to 30% from your full benefits, depending on the year you were born. Or you can delay receiving benefits until as late as age 70, and your monthly payments will increase by 8% for every year you wait past your full retirement age.

Can I get SSI benefits if I get retirement?

You can get both SSI and Social Security retirement benefits at the same time, but there are a few requirements for SSI benefits, including: Having countable income below $783 per month for...

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).

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. If you want your benefits to start in December, you can apply in August.

How do you find out how much Social Security you will receive?

Benefit Calculators (En español) The best way to start planning for your future is by creating a my Social Security account online. With my Social Security, you can verify your earnings, get your Social Security Statement, and much more – all from the comfort of your home or office.

How much Social Security will I get at age 65?

If you start collecting your benefits at age 65 you could receive approximately $33,773 per year or $2,814 per month. This is 44.7% of your final year's income of $75,629. This is only an estimate. Actual benefits depend on work history and the complete compensation rules used by Social Security.

How do I apply for Social Security for the first time?

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.

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?

$2,364At age 62: $2,364. At age 65: $2,993. At age 66: $3,240. At age 70: $4,194.

Is Social Security based on the last 5 years of work?

We: Base Social Security benefits on your lifetime earnings. Adjust or “index” your actual earnings to account for changes in average wages since the year the earnings were received. Calculate your average indexed monthly earnings during the 35 years in which you earned the most.

Do you pay taxes on Social Security?

Some people who get Social Security must pay federal income taxes on their benefits. However, no one pays taxes on more than 85% percent of their Social Security benefits. You must pay taxes on your benefits if you file a federal tax return as an “individual” and your “combined income” exceeds $25,000.

Can I draw Social Security at 62 and still work full time?

Can You Collect Social Security at 62 and Still Work? You can collect Social Security retirement benefits at age 62 and still work. If you earn over a certain amount, however, your benefits will be temporarily reduced until you reach full retirement age.

Can I take Social Security and still work?

You can get Social Security retirement benefits and work at the same time. However, if you are younger than full retirement age and make more than the yearly earnings limit, we will reduce your benefit. Starting with the month you reach full retirement age, we will not reduce your benefits no matter how much you earn.

How much should you expect from Social Security if you make $30 000 a year?

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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.

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 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 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

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 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.

What is disability under Social Security?

What We Mean By Disability. The definition of disability under Social Security is different than other programs. Social Security pays only for total disability. No benefits are payable for partial disability or for short-term disability. We consider you disabled under Social Security rules if all of the following are true:

What is the work incentive for Social Security?

There are also a number of special rules, called "work incentives," that provide continued benefits and health care coverage to help you make the transition back to work. If you are receiving Social Security disability benefits when you reach full retirement age, your disability benefits automatically convert to retirement benefits, ...

How to speed up disability application?

To speed up the application process, complete an Adult Disability Report and have it available at the time of your appointment.

How many questions are asked to determine if you are disabled?

If you have enough work to qualify for disability benefits, we use a step-by-step process involving five questions to determine if you are disabled. The five questions are:

When do disability benefits end?

If he or she receives benefits as a disabled "adult child," the benefits generally end if he or she gets married. However, some marriages (for example, to another disabled "adult child") are considered protected.

Can you get disability if you are blind?

If you do not meet the legal definition of blindness, you may still qualify for disability benefits if your vision problems alone or combined with other health problems prevent you from working.

Do you have to work to qualify for disability?

In addition to meeting our definition of disability, you must have worked long enough — and recently enough — under Social Security to qualify for disability benefits.

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 .

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 will Social Security be reduced in 2021?

You should also note that if you decide to return to work, even part-time, and aren’t yet at your FRA, your Social Security benefits may be temporarily reduced. The reduction is $1 for every $2 of earned income over $18,960 in 2021 (and $19,560 in 2022). During the year when you reach your FRA, your benefits will be reduced by $1 for every $3 in income over $50,520 in 2021 ($51,960 in 2022) until the month when you become fully eligible. 17 That money isn’t lost, however. The SSA will credit it to your record when you reach your FRA, resulting in a higher benefit. 18

How much tax do you pay if you are married filing jointly?

If you’re married filing a joint return, and your combined income is $32,000 to $44,000, you may have to pay income tax on up to 50% of your benefits. If your combined income is more than $44,000, you may have to pay tax on up to 85% of your benefits. 11 .

How much extra insurance do you get at 70?

If you wait until you’re 70 to start claiming benefits, you’ll get an extra 8% per year , or, in total, 132% of your primary insurance amount ($2,640 per month in the example above) for the rest of your life.

Does Social Security increase at age 66?

That reduced benefit won’t increase once you reach age 66. Rather, you’ll continue to receive it for the rest of your life. It may go up over time due to cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs), but only slightly. You can do the math for your own situation using the Social Security Administration (SSA) Early or Late Retirement Calculator, one of a number of benefit calculators provided by the SSA that can also help you determine your FRA, the SSA’s estimate of your life expectancy for benefit calculations, rough estimates of your retirement benefits, individualized projections of your benefits based on your personal work record, and more. 5 6

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.

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 old do you have to be to apply for retirement?

If you are at least 62 years of age and you wish to apply for retirement or spouse’s benefits, you can use our online retirement application to apply for one or both benefits.

What is included in the deductions for self employed?

We include bonuses, commissions, and vacation pay. We don't count pensions, annuities, investment income, interest, veterans, or other government or military retirement benefits.

Can you report a change in earnings after retirement?

If you need to report a change in your earnings after you begin receiving benefits: If you receive benefits and are under full retirement age and you think your earnings will be different than what you originally told us, let us know right away. You cannot report a change of earnings online.

What line do you report Social Security benefits on?

You report the taxable portion of your social security benefits on line 6b of Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR. Your benefits may be taxable if the total of (1) ...

How much is a child's Social Security filing?

If the child is single, the base amount for the child's filing status is $25,000. If the child is married, see Publication 915, Social Security and Equivalent Railroad Retirement Benefits for the applicable base amount and the other rules that apply to married individuals receiving social security benefits.

What is the amount of income tax that a child must pay on that part of the benefits that belongs to your child?

The amount of income tax that your child must pay on that part of the benefits that belongs to your child depends on the child's total amount of income and benefits for the taxable year.

How much is the federal income tax for married filing separately?

The base amount for your filing status is: $25,000 if you're single, head of household, or qualifying widow (er), $25,000 if you're married filing separately and lived apart from your spouse for the entire year, $32,000 if you're married filing jointly,

Do you have to add spouse's income to joint tax return?

If you're married and file a joint return, you and your spouse must combine your incomes and social security benefits when figuring the taxable portion of your benefits. Even if your spouse didn't receive any benefits, you must add your spouse's income to yours when figuring on a joint return if any of your benefits are taxable.

Can you figure the taxable part of a lump sum payment for an earlier year separately?

You may make an election to figure the taxable part of a lump-sum payment for an earlier year separately, using your income for the earlier year. You can select the lump-sum election method if it lowers the taxable portion of your benefits:

Is a child's Social Security payment taxable?

If the total of (1) one half of the child's social security benefits and (2) all the child's other income is greater than the base amount that applies to the child's filing status, part of the child's social security benefits may be taxable. You can figure the taxable amount of the benefits on a worksheet in the Instructions for Form 1040 ...