Applying for social security retirement benefits online

October 4, 2018 • By

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Last Updated: November 18, 2021

Applying for social security retirement benefits online
Social Security is committed to protecting and securing the information entrusted to us. We’re constantly looking for ways for you to save time by conducting your business anytime, anywhere, using our online services.

Our online benefits application provides a high level of security and protection for the information you provide. Filing online gives you the freedom and convenience to file for various types of benefits including Retirement, Disability, Supplemental Security Income, and Medicare.

Follow these simple steps to begin:

  1. Review the information on our Retirement/Spouse’s, Disability, Medicare, or Supplemental Security Income Benefits page to make sure you meet the requirements to apply for benefits online and have the information you will need to do so.
  2. Create or sign in to your my Social Security account. 
  3. File your claim online.
  4. Check the status of your claim by signing in to your personal my Social Security account.

You should be able to complete and submit your application all at once. But if that’s not possible, we’ll give you a re-entry number that you can use to return to your application and continue right where you left off!

After you’ve completed your application, we’ll also give you a confirmation number to check the status, and information on what to do next. If we are not able to process the request, we will provide specific information on how to contact us by phone or schedule an office appointment.

Applying for benefits online is safer, easier, and more secure than ever!

Learn more by watching our videos on our online retirement, spouse’s, and Medicare benefits application and our online disability benefits application.


Tags: my Social Security, online services, retirement benefits, Social Security benefits

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You should apply for retirement benefits four months before you want your benefits to start.  The easiest and most convenient way to apply for retirement benefits is by using our online application. You will need to create or log in to your personal my Social Security account. If we are not able to process your request, you will receive specific information on how to contact us by phone or schedule an appointment.

Apply for Retirement Benefits

 
We may need to see certain documents to complete your application. If you apply online, a list of documents we need to see will appear at the end of the application, along with instructions on where to submit them. The documents we may ask for are:

  • Your original birth certificate or other proof of birth [more info] (You may also submit a copy of your birth certificate certified by the issuing agency).
  • Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status if you were not born in the United States [more info].
  • A copy of your U.S. military service paper(s) (e.g., DD-214 - Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) if you had military service before 1968 [more info].
  • A copy of your W-2 form(s) [more info] and/or self-employment tax return [more info] for last year.

For more information, go to Apply for Retirement Benefits.

You can also apply:

  • By phone - Call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 
  • In person - Visit your local Social Security Office. (Call first to make an appointment.)

If you do not live in the U.S. or one of its territories you can also - Contact the nearest U.S. Social Security office, U.S. Embassy or consulate.

Other Questions You May Find Helpful

  • How far in advance can I apply for Social Security retirement benefits?
  • How do I return to an online application for retirement benefits that I already started but did not finish?
  • How do I check the status of a pending application for benefits?

You should apply for retirement benefits four months before you want your payments to start. The easiest and most convenient way to apply for retirement benefits is by using our online application. You will be asked to create or log in to your personal my Social Security account. If we are not able to process your request, you will receive specific information on how to contact us by phone or schedule an appointment.

Apply for Retirement Benefits

 
We may need to see certain documents in order to pay benefits. If you apply online, a list of documents we need to see will appear at the end of the application, along with instructions on where to submit them. The documents we may ask for are:

  • your original birth certificate or other proof of birth [more info] (You may also submit a copy of your birth certificate certified by the issuing agency);
  • proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status if you were not born in the United States [more info];
  • a copy of your U.S. military service paper(s) (e.g., DD-214 - Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) if you had military service before 1968; [more info]; and
  • a copy of your W-2 form(s) [more info] and/or self-employment tax return [more info] for last year.

For more information, go to Applying Online for Retirement Benefits.

You can also apply:

  • By phone - Call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm; or
  • In person - Visit your local Social Security Office. (Call first to make an appointment.)

If you do not live in the U.S. or one of its territories you can also - Contact the nearest U.S. Social Security office, U.S. Embassy or consulate.

Other Questions You May Find Helpful

  • How far in advance can I apply for Social Security retirement benefits?
  • How do I return to an online application for retirement benefits that I already started but did not finish?
  • How do I check the status of a pending application for benefits?

Is it better to apply for Social Security in person or online?

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 many months in advance do you apply for Social Security?

You should apply for retirement benefits four months before you want your benefits to start. The easiest and most convenient way to apply for retirement benefits is by using our online application. You will need to create or log in to your personal my Social Security account.

What is the easiest way to apply for Social Security retirement?

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. Call ahead to make an appointment..
If you do not live in the U.S. or one of its territories, you can also contact your nearest U.S..

What documents are needed for Social Security retirement benefits?

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. We must see the original document(s), or copies certified by the agency that issued them. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies.