It is never too early to start planning for retirement, and our online tools can make your planning easier. Visit www.ssa.gov/myaccount to access your my Social Security account, get a personalized estimate of your retirement benefits based on your earnings record, and find out how your benefit amount increases depending on the age you would like to start them. Don’t you have a my Social Security account? You can create one at www.ssa.gov/myaccount.
You can also review your entire earnings history in your my Social Security account. It is important that your earnings history is correct because we base your benefit amount on the earnings reported to us. If you find an error, the publication, How to Correct Your Social Security Earnings Record, at www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10081.pdf, tells you how to get your information corrected.
When you are ready to apply for Social Security retirement benefits, you can complete our online application in as little as 15 minutes at www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement. We will contact you if we need any further information. You can check the status of your application with your personal my Social Security account too.
You can apply online for Social Security retirement benefits or benefits as a spouse, if you meet all of the following criteria:
· Are at least 61 years and nine months old.
· Are not currently receiving benefits on your own Social Security record.
· Have not already applied for retirement benefits.
· Want your benefits to start no later than four months in the future. (We cannot process your application if you apply for benefits more than four months in advance.) Find out more about our online services at www.ssa.gov/onlineservices.
If you do not have access to internet and would like to file for Social Security benefits, please call your local Social Security office.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we could not receive visitors at our field office except for previously arranged appointments on special limited critical situations. However, we continue providing our services by phone and internet. If you have questions on Social Security benefits and services, please access www.socialsecurity.gov. You could also access our automated services at 1-800-772-1213 or call your local Social Security office Monday to Friday from 9:00AM to 4:00PM. To locate the telephone number of your local field office, please input your residential zip code at www.ssa.gov/locator/ .