Q & A
What type of information will I need to provide if I’d like to apply online for Social Security retirement benefits?
Answer: Whether you apply for retirement benefits online, by phone or in an office, we suggest that you have the following information at hand when you do it. It will make completing the application easier for you. You will need:
• Your birthdate, place of birth and Social Security number;
• Your bank account number and your bank’s routing number, for direct deposit;
• The amount of money you earned last year and this year. If you are applying for benefits in the months of September through December, you may also need to provide an estimate of what you expect to earn next year if you plan to continue working;
• The name and address of your employer(s) for this year and last year;
• The beginning and ending dates of any active military service you had prior to 1968; and
• The name, Social Security number and date of birth of your current and any former spouses.
Depending on your situation, you may need to provide additional documentation with your application. We’ll give you instructions on how to mail or bring it to us. To get started, visit our Retirement Planner at www.socialsecurity.gov/retire2.
Source: Brainerd Dispatch - May 12, 2014
This posting is presented for informational purposes only and does not represent legal or financial guidance. Any opinions or interpretations presented are either those of the original author or, in the case of articles authored by the AMAC Foundation, are the opinions of AMAC Foundation staff, originally trained and accredited by the National Social Security Association (NSSA) and certified via the AMAC Foundation. Any links included in the article are valid on the posted date; socialsecurityreport.org cannot guarantee the duration of the links’ validity. NSSA and the AMAC Foundation and its staff are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other governmental entity. To submit a question, visit our website (https://amacfoundation.org/services/) or email us at ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org. Because we are a non-profit organization, there is no charge for these services.