When it’s time to apply for your Social Security benefits, you’ll need to have the following documents in hand:
- Your Social Security card
- Your original birth certificate, or a certified copy
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status
- Military service papers, if applicable
- Your W-2 form from the last year
Full Answer
What documents are required for Social Security?
- SSA Award letter,
- Proof of current receipt, AND
- Three-year continuance (e.g., verification of beneficiary’s age)
What documents will you need when you apply?
You’ll need all of the following:
- your full birth certificate showing your parents’ details
- your father’s birth certificate
- your parents’ marriage certificate
- the passport you used to come into the UK or foreign passport you’re included on
What is the earliest you can apply for Social Security?
There are three key ages when it comes to Social Security:
- 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). ...
- Age 70: This is the latest age you want to file for benefits. ...
What documents do I need to replace my Social Security card?
Any documents submitted, including the following, must be current (not expired) and show your name, identifying information (date of birth or age) and preferably a recent photograph:
- Employee identification card;
- School identification card;
- Health insurance card (not a Medicare card); or
- U.S. military identification card.
What documents does Social Security need?
Social SecurityYour 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...
How do I apply for Social Security for the first time?
You can:Apply online (it should take about 15 minutes)By telephone using 1-800-772-1213.In person at your local Social Security office. An appointment, made by phone, is required (1-800-772-1213).
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).
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.
How much money can you have in the bank on Social Security retirement?
$2,000You can have up to $2,000 in cash or in the bank and still qualify for, or collect, SSI (Supplemental Security Income).
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.
What questions are on the Social Security application?
Information About YouYour date and place of birth and Social Security number;The name, Social Security number and date of birth or age of your current spouse and any former spouse. ... The names of any unmarried children under age 18, age 18-19 and in elementary or secondary school, or disabled before age 22;More items...
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.
What month do you get your first Social Security check?
Social Security benefits are paid the month after they are due. If you tell us you want your benefits to start in May, you will receive your first benefit check in June.
What is the average Social Security benefit at age 62?
According to payout statistics from the Social Security Administration in June 2020, the average Social Security benefit at age 62 is $1,130.16 a month, or $13,561.92 a year.
Is Social Security taxable?
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.
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 to do if you don't have all your Social Security documents?
If You Don't Have All Of The Documents. Even if you don't have everything, don't delay applying for Social Security retirement benefits. You can provide the missing documents later. We may be able to help you get them. In many cases, your local Social Security office can contact your state Bureau of Vital Statistics and verify your information ...
What to do if you don't have all the documents?
If You Don't Have All Of The Documents. Even if you don't have everything, don't delay applying for Social Security retirement benefits . You can provide the missing documents later. We may be able to help you get them.
What is a birth certificate?
birth certificate showing you were born in the United States; or. religious record of birth or baptism showing your place of birth in the United States; or. naturalization certificate; or.
What is a bank statement?
bank statements for all checking and savings accounts; deed or tax appraisal statement for all property you own besides the house you live in; life or disability insurance policies; burial contracts, burial plots, etc.; certificates of deposit, stocks, or bonds;
Do I need to prove my age for Social Security?
other documents showing your age or date of birth. If you already proved your age when you applied for Social Security benefits, you do not need to prove it again for SSI.
Do I need a Social Security card if I don't have one?
SOCIAL SECURITY CARD OR NUMBER. You will need to apply for a Social Security number if you do not have one. If you need one, a number will be assigned at the time Social Security entitles you to SSI benefits.
What documents are needed to prove your identity?
To prove your identity, you can show one of several documents. A U.S. driver's license, a state-issued non-driver identification card or a U.S. passport can be used for your identity verification.
How to get a copy of my birth certificate?
If your birth certificate is missing, there are ways to get a replacement. You can contact the vital records office in the state where you were born to request a copy of your birth certificate. The office will likely ask you to provide certain information before sending you a replacement. If you were born abroad to parents who were U.S. citizens, they likely registered your birth at the U.S. embassy or consulate in the country where they were living at the time. In that case, you can ask for a copy of the report of birth abroad from the U.S. Department of State. If you were born on a military base located overseas, you may be able to contact the hospital where you were born to ask about a birth certificate copy.
What is spousal records?
Spousal records. A copy of military service papers, if you served before 1968. Use the following guidelines to help you determine if the original records are needed, what type of documents will be accepted and how to replace missing information. A Birth Certificate.
Can I start the Social Security application process?
If you are in the process of getting your documents compiled but don't have everything you need yet, you can still start the application process. "Social Security representatives may be able to help you get them or you can supply them later," says Mark Falter, president of Mid-American Wealth Advisory Group in Kansas City, Missouri. "The payments start from when you begin the process of applying, not when you have all the required documentation."
What documents are needed to get a Social Security card?
Some of the documents you may be asked for include: Your Social Security card or a record of the number. Proof of U.S citizenship or lawful alien status if you were born outside the country. An original birth certificate or a certified copy if you were born in the United States.
What documents do you need to prove your identity?
To prove your identity with the SSA, there are several different documents that you can use. A state-issued non-driver identification card, a driver’s license, or a United States passport will offer verification that you are who you say you are. If you don’t have any of these documents, there are a few other options. You may be able to use an employee identification card, a military identification card, a health insurance card, or a school identification card.
How to apply for Social Security benefits online?
The first thing you will need to do to apply for benefits online is creating a Social Security account on the SSA website. This account has a lot of great features and can be used to track your earnings over your lifetime based on reports made to the SSA. When you have an account, you can check in and see if all the information is correct. If not, you can notify the SAA of the mistake and show past tax returns or pay stubs to correct the error.
How to apply for spousal benefits?
If you plan to apply for spousal benefits from the Social Security Administration, there will be specific documents that need to be submitted. You will need to show that you are married before anything else. This can often be done through the use of your birth certificate, a photo ID, and a marriage license.
How to replace a lost Social Security card?
Those who have misplaced their Social Security card can replace it by visiting the Social Security website. Simply create an account and most states will allow you to request a new card online. In states where you cannot request a card online, you’ll need to request in another way.
How to get a copy of birth certificate if you lost it?
Most of the time, this can be an original certificate or a certified copy. If you have lost track of your birth certificate, there are several ways to get a new copy to complete your paperwork. You can talk to the vital records office for the state where you were born to get a new copy of the birth certificate. You will likely need to provide certain documents and information before a replacement is provided to you.
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:
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.