- If you have a question, you can contact the Social Security Administration in three ways: online, by phone, and in person.
- Social Security personnel can explain rules and analyze your eligibility for benefits, but don't expect them to help you strategize about the best ways to collect your benefits.
- Since Social Security doesn’t publish the phone numbers of most local offices, you may have to call the main number at 1-800-772-1213.
- Visiting a Social Security office should be a last resort, as there are fewer workers for an increasing number of applicants. ...
How to find the Best Social Security lawyer?
- Schooling
- Internship
- Licensing / Fingerprinting / Background check
- Weapon licensing
- Professional development
How to call Social Security by phone?
- If you want to visit a Social Security Administration office, search online on the Social Security Administration’s website for the office closest to you.
- However, in most cases it will be quicker and easier to report the death over the phone.
- If you are deaf and you need to call in to report a death, you can call the TTY number at 1-800-325-0778.
What is the customer service number for Social Security?
To contact the Social Security Administration, try calling them toll free at 1-800-772-1213. This number can be used 24 hours a day for automated services, like requesting a new Medicare card or a benefits verification letter. If you need to speak to someone in person, make sure you call between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Can You chat with social security?
The Social Security Administration, or SSA, can help you with all of your Social Security-related questions, whether you're inquiring about retirement, disability, Medicare, or need to change your address. The fastest way to reach them is to call their main phone number, but you can also send them an email or a letter in the mail.
Who can I call with Social Security questions?
For general Social Security inquiries, call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 or 1-800-325-0778 (TTY) between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. We can answer most questions over the phone. If you have a problem or question, try our toll-free telephone number first.
Where can I get answers to Social Security questions?
Please call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) for assistance. Representatives are available between 8a. m. and 7p.
How can I find out my Social Security benefits amount?
Most people can receive an estimate of their benefit based on their actual Social Security earnings record by going to www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator. You also can calculate future retirement benefits by using the Social Security Benefit Calculators at www.socialsecurity.gov.
Who can advise me on Social Security benefits?
Expert Social Security Advice A Registered Social Security Analyst® (RSSA®) will provide you with a unique Social Security plan, to help you decide on the optimal claiming decisions.
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.
What does 40 credits mean for Social Security?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) defines “enough work” as earning 40 Social Security credits. More specifically, in 2022, an individual receives one credit for each $1,510 in income, and they can earn a maximum of four credits per year. So, 40 credits are roughly equal to 10 years of work.
How much Social Security will I get if I make $30000 a year?
0:362:30How much your Social Security benefits will be if you make $30,000 ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou get 32 percent of your earnings between 996. Dollars and six thousand and two dollars whichMoreYou get 32 percent of your earnings between 996. Dollars and six thousand and two dollars which comes out to just under 500 bucks.
Is it better to take Social Security at 62 or 67?
There is no definitive answer to when you should collect Social Security benefits, and taking them as soon as you hit the early retirement age of 62 might be the best financial move.
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 there such a thing as a Social Security advisor?
Though it sounds official, a national Social Security advisor (NSSA) is not in any way affiliated with the federal government. Instead, a for-profit group called National Social Security Association bestows the certification to people who take its one-day course and pass its exam.
Can a financial advisor help with Social Security?
More financial advisors are helping their clients with Social Security. The decisions are a lot more complicated than whether to file earlier or later. Emotional support and a number of software programs can leave people with larger benefits.
Can a CPA help with Social Security questions?
Your CPA Can Help Your Social Security income, and the taxes you may pay on it, is one consideration in your overall retirement plan.
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How to report a death to the SSA?
To report a death: Provide the deceased person's Social Security number to the funeral director so they can report the death to the SSA. Contact your local Social Security office. Or, call SSA's main number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to make the report.
How do I apply for SSI?
How to Apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Adults can apply for SSI by phone, in person at a local Social Security office, or in some cases online. To apply for SSI for a child, you can start the process online but will need to complete it either in person or by phone. You can appeal If your application is denied.
What are the benefits of Social Security?
There are four main types of benefits that the SSA offers: Retirement benefits. Disability benefits. Benefits for spouses or other survivors of a family member who's passed.
How old do you have to be to get Social Security?
Estimate your benefits at each age, from 62 (the earliest you can receive them) to 70 (when you hit your greatest amount) Apply for retirement benefits. Learn about earning limits if you plan to work while receiving Social Security benefits.
How does Social Security work?
Social Security is a program run by the federal government. The program works by using taxes paid into a trust fund to provide benefits to people who are eligible. You’ll need a Social Security number when you apply for a job. Find how to apply for a Social Security number or to replace your Social Security card .
How long does it take to get a birth certificate from Social Security?
Processing times average about two weeks. See SSA’s frequently asked questions for an estimate for your state.
What does Social Security provide?
Social Security provides you with a source of income when you retire or if you can’t work due to a disability. It can also support your legal dependents (spouse, children, or parents) with benefits in the event of your death.
What is the phone number for Social Security?
Since Social Security doesn’t publish the phone numbers of most local offices, you may have to call the main number at 1-800-772-1213. Visiting a Social Security office should be a last resort, as there are fewer workers for an increasing number of applicants.
Why are there fewer workers in the SSA?
Due to budget cuts to the SSA, there are fewer workers for an increasing number of applicants. And don’t expect them to take an in-depth look at your situation the way a financial planner would. Not only are SSA employees extremely busy, but they also cannot offer advice on how to maximize your benefits.
Why is Social Security not suspending benefits?
The Social Security Administration will not suspend or discontinue benefits because its offices are closed to the public for in-person service. 5 .
Is Social Security closed in 2020?
On March 17, 2020, due to the coronavirus outbreak, Social Security offices were closed to the public until further notice. The best option in the interim is to go online for answers. 2 . When you visit the Social Security website, an orange bar at the top of the home page announces "Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates.".
Can you schedule an interpreter for Social Security?
You can also schedule in-person appointments, during which time the Social Security Administration office will arrange for an interpreter. Just like the SSA’s offices, the website has certain hours of operation during which you can conduct business.
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 the age limit for Medicare?
Medicare. Medicare is our country’s health insurance program for people 65 or older. Certain people younger than age 65 can qualify for Medicare too, including those with disabilities and those who have permanent kidney failure. Social Security works with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to ensure the public receives ...
How long does a Social Security representative work?
Just understand, the Service Representative that answers your call may be a 6 month employee-or a 25 year employee.
What is a claims representative?
The Claims Representative is there for one reason. To assist individuals in filing claims to benefits under Social Security programs. Unless you are ready to process your claim, you’ll have little interaction with this representative.
Why is it important to maximize Social Security benefits?
Inadequate savings are one reason why it’s so important to maximize your Social Security benefits. Another reason comes from fears that benefits may get reduced in the future to make up for projected shortfalls in the program.
Do widows get higher Social Security?
More than three-quarters of widows and widowers were eligible to receive higher Social Security benefits than they did but were never informed of this option by Social Security workers, according to a report released last month by the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General.
Is the Social Security Administration developing an action plan?
For its part, the Social Security Administration says the agency “is currently developing our action plan that responds to the recommendations” outlined in the Office of the Inspector General report, according to a spokeswoman.
Is it easy to find reliable advice on how and when to claim Social Security?
But it’s not always easy to find reliable advice on how and when to claim Social Security. It doesn’t help matters that the horse’s mouth—the Social Security Administration, in this case—sometimes talks out of both sides. Government workers tasked with advising the public don’t always tell would-be beneficiaries the claiming strategy ...
How long do you have to fix your earnings history before you can claim Social Security?
The thing is, the SSA only gives you a little more than three years to fix earnings history discrepancies, should you find any.
What is FRA in Social Security?
Put simply, your FRA is the age at which the Social Security Administration (SSA) deems you eligible to receive 100% of your primary insurance amount (PIA). Remember, your PIA is calculated based on the average annual income over your 35 highest-earning years.
What happens if you take your FRA benefits before you retire?
Taking benefits at any point before you reach your full retirement age could mean a reduction of up to 25% to 30% in your monthly benefit from what you would have received had you waited until your FRA. However, for each month that you wait, your benefit increases.
How much of the surviving spouse's benefits can be received if the breadwinner passes away?
Also, the surviving spouse (and ex-spouse for marriages lasting at least 10 years) benefit in instances where the breadwinning spouse passes away first can be up to 100% of the benefit received by the higher-earning spouse.
What age do you get a lifetime benefit?
Right around age 78 tends to be the inflection point at which the lifetime benefits of a retiree who filed at age 62 and a retiree who filed at age 70, with similar income, have received a relatively equal cumulative payout.
Can a spouse file for Social Security?
For example, married couples where one partner has a considerably higher lifetime income than the other can work together to get the most out of their Social Security benefits. In order to generate some income during the early years of retirement, the lower-earning spouse can file for benefits. Meanwhile, the higher-earning spouse can allow their ...
How to get an interpreter for Social Security?
To request an interpreter, call Social Security at 800-772-1213. SSA also provides written materials in several languages on its website. Learn more about Social Security services for people with limited English proficiency. Save 25% when you join AARP and enroll in Automatic Renewal for the first year.
What languages can Social Security interpret?
Languages that the agency can translate on a phone call or office visit include Arabic, Armenian, Chinese, Farsi, French, Greek, Haitian Creole, Hmong, Italian, Korean, Portuguese, Polish, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog and Vietnamese. To request an interpreter, call Social Security at 800-772-1213.
What does Social Security do for you?
Here are some of the lesser-known things Social Security can do for you. 1. Expedited disability claims.
How long does it take to get disability benefits?
It takes SSA about four months on average to process claims for disability benefits. And that's just the initial application; it can take many more months, even years, to appeal a claim that's first denied.
Can a representative payee be a beneficiary of Social Security?
Some have cognitive disorders or developmental disabilities; some are small children. In such cases, Social Security can appoint someone to serve as the beneficiary's representative payee.
Is Social Security subject to dual payroll taxation?
People in either situation may be subject to dual payroll taxation: having to pay into two countries’ retirement systems from the same wages. To minimize that risk, Social Security has negotiated agreements with 30 countries that have comparable programs for retirees.
Does Social Security give interpreters?
To address this, Social Security provides free interpreter services to anyone who requests or shows a need for language assistance.
