In order to apply for Social Security retirement benefits, you must have worked for a minimum of ten years in jobs covered by SSA. That is the same as 40 work credits. Keep in mind that the minimum age to file for retirement is 62.
However, you will get a 30% reduction. Delaying retirement until you are 70 can give you a 24% extra per month. But which documents will you need to apply regardless of the filing age?
Retirement information SSA request
Before gathering information, Social Security wants you to decide the month you would like to start receiving benefits. Secondly, you need to know if it is possible to apply for Medicare at the same time or if it will be done automatically.
The most important things you will need to file for retirement benefits are:
- Your personal Social Security Number
- Birth information to prove where you were born (country, state, and city).
- A record of earnings
- Employer’s names for the last 2 years
- Employment dates
- Past and current weddings:
- dates of wedding/divorce
- wedding location
- birthday and SSN of your spouse/ former spouse
- Routing and bank account number to get direct deposits
- Name of any dependent or eligible children
How to apply for retirement benefits
Once you have decided on the date you would like to collect monthly payments and gathered all the information, you can start your application online. All you have to do is visit https://www.ssa.gov/apply?benefits=retirement&age=adult
Click on the “Start application” button, but make sure you do it during SSA’s regular service hours. Saving your application and finishing an existing application later is possible.
If you are not keen on online applications call SSA at +1 800-772-1213 or TTY at +1 800-325-0778. In this way, a Social Security agent will help you set up an appointment to do it in your local office. Sometimes it may be possible to file for Social Security retirement benefits on the phone.