Retire Online It's So Easy!

New Online Application For Social Security Retirement Benefits

Applying for Social Security benefits is easier than ever. Just go to www.socialsecurity.gov. Retire online. It’s so easy!

Why should I use the online application?

• You can apply from the comfort of your home or office. The application is available on the Internet at the following times (Eastern Time):

Monday – Friday: 5 a.m. –1 a.m.
Saturdays, Holidays: 5 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Sunday: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.

• You don’t have to complete the application all in one sitting. If you need a break, you can stop completing the application and restart it again without losing any of the information you entered.

• The application is secure. We’ve taken every precaution to make sure that your personal information is safe and disclosed only to you.

How does the online application make it easy for me to apply?

• The new application has a “retirement estimator” that gives you a personal estimate of how much your benefit will be at different ages and different “stop work” dates.

• As you go through the application, you’ll see “More Info” links. If you need more information at any time to answer a question, just click on 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 an application number that you can use to check the status of your application online after you’ve applied.
  

How do I use the online application?

Go to www.socialsecurity.gov and click on “Applying Online for Retirement Benefits.”

• You’ll go through a series of screens that will ask you questions about yourself, your family and your work.

• Once you’ve answered all of the questions, click on “Sign Now.”

• Your application will be sent electronically to Social Security.

What happens next?

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 about our decision in the mail.

Contacting Social Security

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 can answer specific questions from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. 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 treat all calls confidentially. 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.