how to start claiming social security benefits

1. 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.
2. 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 ...
3. Gather documents. This step might be the hardest part, but still very straightforward. ...
4. Complete application. With the information listed above, you should be able to complete your application. In person at your local Social Security office.
5. 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 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 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.

When can you expect your first social security payment?

When Will I Receive My First Payment? Social Security retirement benefits, as well as disability and survivor benefits, are paid in the month after the month the payment represents. For example, you can expect your first direct deposit to occur in June according to the day-of-birth schedule if your first month of receiving benefits is May.

When do you get your Social Security check?

How long do you have to withdraw Social Security?

How old do you have to be to get unemployment?

What to do if you get stuck on a question?

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About this website

How long does it take to start getting 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 start applying for Social Security benefits?

You can start receiving your Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62. However, you are entitled to full benefits when you reach your full retirement age. If you delay taking your benefits from your full retirement age up to age 70, your benefit amount will increase.

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.

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

You can get Social Security retirement or survivors benefits and work at the same time. But, if you're younger than full retirement age, and earn more than certain amounts, your benefits will be reduced.

Applying Online for Social Security Retirement Benefits - YouTube

Applying Online for Social Security Retirement Benefits is not hard.

When to Apply for Social Security to Start Benefits at 62

The earliest you can apply is four months before the month you want your benefits to start, and the earliest your benefits can start is your first full month as a 62-year-old. For example, if you turn 62 in June, your benefits can begin in July, and you can apply as early as March. There is an exception: If you were born on the first or second day of a month, you can begin collecting your ...

How far in advance can I apply for Social Security retirement benefits ...

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.

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.

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 much is deducted from your pension?

For every month prior to your full retirement age that you begin taking benefits, around 0.55% is deducted from your payout.

Is it a good idea to have a retirement plan?

It can also be a very good idea to have an overall retirement plan before you decide when to start your Social Security benefits. The NewRetirement Retirement Planner can help you assess all of your sources of retirement income and whether or not you will have enough to cover your expenses. This tool was recently named a best retirement calculator by the American Association of Individual Investors ( AAII ).

When Can I Start Collecting Social Security?

The minimum age to claim benefits is 62. 1 If you are turning 62 and need the income from Social Security to support yourself, then you can start claiming your benefits now. However, if you have enough other income to keep you going until you are older, you may want to delay increasing the size of your monthly benefit.

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

What is the average Medicare premium for 2022?

In 2022, the average monthly premium for Part D will be $33 per month versus $31.47 in 2021. If you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, the average monthly premium will be $19 per month in 2022 versus $21.22 in 2021. However, if you are still receiving health insurance from your or your spouse’s employer, you might not yet have to enroll in Medicare. 21

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.

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 .

What is the age at which you can claim Social Security?

Income is not the only factor that determines your Social Security benefit. Age is another big one. Normal or full retirement ageis the age at which you can claim the full Social Security retirement benefit you’re eligible for. The Social Security Administrationdetermines your full retirement age based on the year you were born. For most people, the magic number falls somewhere between 65 and 67. When you know your full retirement age, you can make a better-informed decision about when to start claiming Social Security.

How to make the most of Social Security payments?

To make the most of these payments, first determine which spouse will earn a larger benefit. The lower-earning spouse can start claiming Social Security at an earlier age, while the higher-earning spouse’s benefit amount continues to grow. Once the higher-earning spouse reaches 70, the couple can switch to filing against that person’s earnings history.

What to do if your estimated benefits are not as much as you were hoping for?

If your estimated benefits are not as much as you were hoping for, try earning more money. An income boost will improve the average of your 35-year earnings record, which could give your benefits a much-needed bump too.

How much of your Social Security income do you pay in taxes?

You may pay taxes on up to 85% of your Social Security benefits, depending on your tax filing status and income level. And remember: the government considers Social Security benefits, employment earnings and interest from investments as income.

What is Survivor's Social Security?

Survivor’s payments are Social Security benefits designed to help replace lost retirement income if your spouse passes away. As a widow or widower, you can elect to receive ongoing benefits beginning at age 60.

How many years do you have to work to get Social Security?

In reality, your payments are based on your earnings from the 35 highest income years. If you have not worked for 35 years, every year you didn’t work will reduce your benefits.

Is it too early to start planning for retirement?

It’s never too early to start planning for retirement. A retirement calculatorcan help you figure out how much you’ll need to retire comfortably. Building a sizable nest egg may enable you to delay Social Security benefits and maximize your monthly payments once you are ready 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.

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.

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.

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.