What is the best and easiest way to apply for your social security

[Beachnutt]

when you are eligible to recieve it ?
Any tips are much appreciated..

[Iris]

1. Following

[Croney]

2. Google says...

"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."

I don't think there are any other ways. Be prepared to show proof of identity back to the womb. My name changed completely, I mean completely; but luckily my old school records were in my mother's attic.

[wryter2000]

3. After 70, if you can wait that long

I went on my husband's survivor benefits when I was eligible for SS. I put off using my own until I turned 70. Then, I got a large raise. You really do get significantly more if you wait to 70. (Check to see they haven't changed that age.)

If you can avoid it at all, don't file early but wait until you're fully eligible. For me, that was 66. Yours might be a little later.

I'll probably get all kinds of arguments on the following: I found the folks at the SS administration extremely helpful. Give them a try, too.

[LakeArenal]

4. Make an appt long in advance with a local SS office.

They are generally hard to get.

Get a trustable insurance agent to discuss supplemental if you are going on Medicare.

Used to be early retirement was 62. Don’t know anymore.

Vote Democratic because Biden wants the smallest SS check to be around $2500.

[werdna]

8. Plus -

- the day you call to make the appointment, your benefits start accruing: if your appt. is three months out your first check will be for those three months.

[Twoflower]

5. I did it online

I found it to be very easy. After I only had to mail my birth certificate to my local office. They let you file 4 months prior to when you qualify.

[Beachnutt]

6. Thank you all, very helpful.

You're the best DU folks.

[unc70]

7. Sign up for Medicare as soon as you can

Several months before you turn 65.

Strongly agree about delaying your own SS and drawing on a spouse / ex-spouse's account. Check out whether it would work in your situation.

[cachukis]

9. Spousal benefits until 70 if you can. Make an appointment.

They know what they are doing and care that you get best deal.

[GoodRaisin]

10. Here's a link if you need it. I applied on line and it was easy.

https://faq.ssa.gov/en-us/Topic/article/KA-01891

[Beachnutt]

12. When doing it online how do you supply documents if they ask for them ?

Like birth certificate or passport etc..

[GoodRaisin]

13. It's been 8 years since I did it and don't remember any details now, but,

I expect any documents they request can be submitted on line by scanning or taking a picture of the document they ask for.

The best way to find out is to go ahead and start the application on line and see what they ask for and how they instruct you to submit it.

[Beachnutt]

14. Good Idea, thank you

[BlackSkimmer]

11. I went to an office.

Picked a small town in a nearby county and made an appointment. I'd avoid large cities simply because of the crowds.

It was easy peasy.

[LittleGirl]

15. I did it online.

You need to receive a text for verification so have a cell phone handy.

[Demovictory9]

16. Online..2 months later your phone will ring..1st chk deposited by next day

File online..chk status online..one day phone rings (answer..my phone labeled it spam).. Ss person goes over options..you make lifetime perm decisions on spot..payment issued in 24 hours..if start month has passed

[Beachnutt]

17. I was dreading doing it online

but I had made a online account already so I decided to go ahead and try doing the online application, Surprised me how simple and easy it was and now I am waiting for the call, text, email or letter of verification and approval, it's been a little over 2 weeks now and I check my online account every couple of days.
It says it is in step 2 of 3 and it usually takes 2 to 4 weeks.
Work record shows I worked and paid ss every year since 1975 and that I have the 40 points necessary for full retirement benefits.
Just waiting now, How sweet it's going to be when I get that on top of my pension check every month.
Work will be only an option from here on out for me....
Thanks everybody for the advice and help with this process.

[Yonnie3]

18. I applied in 2015 online

It has been a while, but as I recall I got an email less than a month later and a few weeks later a deposit was made of one month's amount on the day designated for my birthday.

I had much anxiety, but it didn't make the process go quicker. It seemed easy in retrospect.

Good luck!