AARP Hearing Center
Key takeaways
- Apply for Social Security benefits online, by phone or in person, advises expert Mary Liz Burns.
- Gather essential documents early — including Social Security number, work history and bank details — for a smooth application.
- Maximize your benefits by applying up to four months before desired payments, recommends Burns.
Summary
Applying for Social Security retirement benefits is an important step in planning for your financial future, and understanding the process can make it much less daunting. Social Security expert Mary Liz Burns breaks it down simply: You can apply online, by phone or at your local Social Security office. Whichever method you choose, you’ll need to provide details like your Social Security number, date and place of birth, marital and work history, and banking information for direct deposit. If you’re a veteran or were born outside the US, additional documents may be required.
Knowing how to apply for Social Security ensures you won’t miss out on vital benefits, whether you’re filing for your own retirement, spousal benefits or survivor benefits. Preparation is key — gather your paperwork early and apply up to four months before you want payments to begin. For more practical resources and answers to common questions, visit aarp.org/socialsecurity.
The key takeaways and summary were created with the assistance of generative AI. An AARP editor reviewed and refined the content for accuracy and clarity.
Full Transcript:
[00:00:00] Hi, I’m Mary Liz Burns, and in my work with AARP, I try to simplify the more
[00:00:05] complex aspects of Social Security. If you’re thinking about applying for Social Security retirement benefits,
[00:00:12] I’m here to help you get started. So how do you apply for retirement benefits? There are three ways: You can apply by phone, at your local Social Security
[00:00:23] office, or you can do it all online. That’s a really convenient option, but you’ll need to create a my
[00:00:30] Social Security account on ssa.gov first. We’ll put a link to our video on how to set up your
[00:00:36] account in the description below. Whichever option you choose, you’ll be asked for some personal information,
[00:00:42] like your date and place of birth. And not to state the obvious, you’ll need to have your Social Security number on hand.
[00:00:49] You’ll also be asked about your marital history. If you have children, Social Security will want to know how many,
[00:00:55] even if they’re adults. If you were born abroad, you’ll need to show proof of U.S. citizenship
[00:01:01] or legal immigration status. You’ll be asked about where you worked for the past two years and how much you earned.
[00:01:07] So be sure to have your recent W-2s, or 1099s if you’re self-employed, or your tax returns.
[00:01:14] And if you’re a veteran, have your dates of service and service papers on hand. If you served before 2002, you may be eligible for special earnings credits
[00:01:24] that could boost your monthly payment. You must receive your Social Security paymentselectronically.
[00:01:30] The most common way to do that is to set up direct deposit with your bank. So have your bank account and routing numbers handy.
[00:01:37] You can apply for retirement benefits up to four months before you want to start collecting. That gives Social Security plenty of time to process your claim.
[00:01:46] And here’s something to know if you’re married: This entire process is the same if you’re applying for spousal benefits, which you may be entitled to receive
[00:01:54] based on your spouse’s earnings history if they were the primary breadwinner. But if you’re applying for survivor benefits, which are paid to widows,
[00:02:03] widowers and dependents of eligible workers, online is currently not an option.
[00:02:09] You can only apply by phone or in person. You’ll need the documents I just mentioned, plus the Social Security
[00:02:15] number of the deceased and proof of their passing, such as a death certificate. If you have more questions about survivor benefits, watch the video linked in
[00:02:24] the description below for more details. I know applying for Social Security benefits may seem overwhelming.
[00:02:31] I hope this video helps you navigate the process, and I promise you’ve got this. If you have more questions about how to apply for Social Security benefits,
[00:02:41] drop us a note in the comments and we’ll consider it for a future video, or visit aarp.org/socialsecurity to find more helpful information.
