Social Security

Applying online for retirement benefits offers several advantages:

• You can start your application immediately. There is no need to wait for an appointment;
• You can apply from the convenience of your home, or on any computer; and
• You can avoid trips to a Social Security office, saving you time and money.

We use the most secure technology on the Internet to keep your information private.

• The application has a “retirement estimatorâ€� that gives you personal estimates of how much your benefit will be at different ages and different “stop workâ€� dates.
• As you go through the application, you’ll see “More Infoâ€� links. If you need more information at any time to answer a question, just select one of these links.
• When you finish your application, you’ll get a receipt that you can print and keep for your records.
• We’ll give you a confirmation number that you can use to check the status of your application online after you’ve applied.

Go to www.socialsecurity.gov and select "Apply online for retirement benefits."

• You’ll go through a series of screens that will ask you questions about yourself, your family, and your work.
• You don't have to complete the application all in one sitting. If you need a break, you can stop working on the application and restart it again without losing any of the information you entered.
• Once you’ve answered all of the questions, select “Submit Now.â€�
• Your application will be sent electronically to Social Security.

Once we receive your application, we’ll review it and contact you if we need clarification about your answers or if we need to see any documents.

We’ll also let you know if we think you may be able to receive more money on another person’s record, such as your spouse. We’ll also tell you if other family members may be able to receive benefits on your work record.

When we have all of the necessary information and documents, we’ll process your application and send you a letter in the mail about our decision.

The online application is available to you seven days a week during the following hours (Eastern time):

Monday-Friday: 5 a.m. until 1 a.m.
Saturday: 5 a.m. until 11 p.m.
Sunday: 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.
Holidays: 5 a.m. until 11 p.m.

Our website is a valuable resource for information about all of Social Security’s programs. There are a number of things you can do online.

In addition to using our website, you can call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213. We treat all calls confidentially. We can answer specific questions from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Generally, you’ll have a shorter wait time if you call during the week after Tuesday. We can provide information by automated phone service 24 hours a day. (You can use our automated response system to tell us a new address or request a replacement Medicare card.) If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call our TTY number, 1-800-325-0778.

We also want to make sure you receive accurate and courteous service. That is why we have a second Social Security representative monitor some telephone calls.