
When to actually file for Social Security retirement benefits?
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What age is considered early for retirement?
How to prepare for early retirement
- Make a savings budget. Saving for retirement is a lifelong investment. ...
- Determine your anticipated age of retirement. While assessing your finances, it's ideal to factor in the age you want to retire. ...
- Consider your partner or spouse's plan for retirement. ...
- Develop a plan for health care. ...
When should you take your Social Security retirement benefits?
- Whether you plan to keep working. If you plan to work until your full retirement age or beyond, it probably won't make sense to take benefits early, especially if you ...
- Health and life expectancy. ...
- Spouse's needs. ...
- Other retirement plans. ...
How to decide when to take Social Security retirement benefits?
- If you were born on January 1 st, you should refer to the previous year.
- If you were born on the 1 st of the month, we figure your benefit (and your full retirement age) as if your birthday was in the previous month. ...
- You must be at least 62 for the entire month to receive benefits.
- Percentages are approximate due to rounding.

How long does it take to get retirement once you apply?
Benefit applications can take up to three months to process, so apply three months before your planned start date. If you are drawing spousal or survivor benefits on another person's earnings record, your payment date depends on that person's birthday and follows the schedule above.
How long does it take to get first Social Security check after applying?
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).
How many months in advance should you apply for Social Security benefits?
four monthsYou 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.
What paperwork do you need to retire?
What Documents Do You Need to Apply for Retirement Benefits? (En espaƱol)Your Social Security card or a record of your number.Your original birth certificate, a copy certified by the issuing agency, or other proof of your age. ... If you were not born in the U.S., proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status.More items...