Applying for Social Security Benefits
Social Security offers several different types of benefits, including retirement, disability, and survivor’s income. So, applying for Social Security benefits can differ based on the income you and/or your survivors qualify for.
Depending on how and when you apply, the amount of your Social Security benefits may differ. Therefore, knowing how to maximize and make the most of this income source is essential.
Are You Qualified to Receive Social Security Benefits?
Social Security Work Credits Needed for Disability Income Benefits
| Born After 1929
Become Disabled at Age: |
Work Credits Required: |
|---|---|
| 31 through 42 | 20 |
| 44 | 22 |
| 46 | 24 |
| 48 | 26 |
| 50 | 28 |
| 52 | 30 |
| 54 | 32 |
| 56 | 34 |
| 58 | 36 |
| 60 | 38 |
| 62 or older | 40 |
Qualifying family members may receive benefits based on your work record. These individuals do not need work credits, though. If you are receiving retirement or disability income benefits from Social Security, your spouse may also be eligible, provided that he or she is:
– Age 62 or older, or
– Divorced from you, age 62 or older, and was married to you for at least ten years before you divorced, or
– Under the age of 62 and also caring for a child that is under age 16 or disabled before age 22, who is also entitled to Social Security benefits based on your work record
Likewise, your surviving spouse can be qualified if they are:
– Age 60 or over, or
– Age 50 or over and also disabled, or
– Divorced from you, age 60 or over (or age 50 if they are disabled), and they were married to you for at least ten years before you got divorced, or
– Under the age of 60 and is caring for your child—who is under the age of 16 and/or was disabled before turning age 22—and who is also eligible for child’s benefits, or
– Divorced from you, under age 60 and caring for his or her child (that is under the age of 16 or was disabled before turning age 22) and who is eligible for benefits based on your work record
A dependent parent may qualify for Social Security survivors benefits if they are 62 or older. In some cases, Social Security may also pay income benefits to grandchildren, stepchildren, step-grandchildren, and/or adopted children.
To determine the number of work credits you have accumulated, as well as your estimated future benefits, you can obtain your personal Social Security statement online by signing up for a Social Security account at https://ssa.gov/myaccount/.
How to Apply for Social Security
Social Security Work Credits Needed for Disability Income Benefits
| Year of Birth | Minimum Retirement Age for Full Benefits |
|---|---|
| 1937 or Before | 65 |
| 1938 | 65 + 2 months |
| 1939 | 65 + 4 months |
| 1940 | 65 + 6 months |
| 1941 | 65 + 8 months |
| 1942 | 65 + 10 months |
| 1943 to 1954 | 66 |
| 1955 | 66 + 2 months |
| 1956 | 66 + 4 months |
| 1957 | 66 + 6 months |
| 1958 | 66 + 8 months |
| 1959 | 66 + 10 months |
| 1960 or Later | 67 |
To sign up for Social Security at age 62, you must be at least 61 years and 9 months old and want your benefits to begin no more than four months in the future. When you apply for Social Security retirement benefits, there is some information that the SSA will typically need, including:
– Date and place of birth
– Social Security number
– Name, birth date, and Social Security number of your spouse (if applicable)
– Name, birth date, and Social Security number of your former spouse (if applicable)
– Names of any unmarried children who are under the age of 18 or age 18/19 if they are a full-time student
– Names of any unmarried children who are disabled, if the disability occurred before they turned age 22
– Routing and account number of the bank or financial institution you want to receive your benefits
– Status of U.S. citizenship
– The month you want your Social Security retirement benefits to start
– Whether or not you want to enroll in Medicare Part B (if you are within three months of turning age 65)
Before you visit or contact the Social Security Administration, it may be necessary to have various documents on hand, such as your:
– Birth certificate
– Proof of United States citizenship or alien status (if you were not born in the U.S.)
– Military service papers (if applicable)
– The prior year’s W-2 form(s) and/or self-employment tax return
In addition to your personal information, there are also some items that the SSA needs to know about your employer (and/or former employer), such as:
– Name and addresses of your employer(s) for this year and last year
– Amount you earned this year and last year (and, if you are applying for Social Security retirement benefits between the months of September and December, next year’s earnings must also be estimated)
– Record of your earnings and/or your Social Security Statement
– Dates of any military service
– Whether you have been disabled in the past (and if so, if you were unable to work for any period)
– If you have earned any Social Security work credits under another country’s social security system
– If you anticipate receiving a pension and/or annuity income based on employment with the U.S. Federal government
Spouses may also be eligible to receive Social Security retirement benefits based on their husband or wife’s work record. This is the case even if a spouse has never worked outside the home. Likewise, eligible divorced spouses may also qualify.
In addition to personal information, such as a birth certificate and proof of U.S. citizenship, it may be necessary to provide the Social Security Administration with a marriage certificate and a final divorce decree (if applying for benefits as a divorced spouse).
Social Security Disability Benefits
To apply for Social Security disability benefits, it may be necessary to provide the SSA with some or all of the following information:
– Name and gender
– Birth certificate (or other proof of birth)
– Social Security number
– Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal alien status
– Military discharge papers (if applicable)
– Prior year’s income tax return
– An Adult Disability Report (which provides more in-depth details regarding your disability)
– Medical records, doctors’ report(s), and results from recent medical tests that were performed
– Proof of workers’ compensation benefits (if applicable)
– Pension and/or annuity income status
– Marital status (and if so, your spouse’s name, date of birth, and Social Security number)
– Name(s) of any unmarried children who are under the age of 18 (or between age 18 and 19 who are full-time students, and/or who have become disabled before age 22)
– Dependent parent(s) information (if applicable)
– Name of your employer(s) in the past year (as well as the amount of income you earned)
– Felony and/or arrest warrant(s) (if applicable)
– Military retirement pension(s) based on disability (if applicable)
– Any state disability insurance received
– Bank account information to set up direct deposit for Social Security disability benefits
Like Social Security retirement income benefits, you can apply for disability from Social Security in-person at an SSA office, online, or by calling the national toll-free phone number at (800) 772-1213.
Social Security Survivors Benefits
Upon the death of an eligible worker, there are several different types of survivors who may qualify for survivor’s benefits based on the deceased’s work record. These eligible recipients may include:
– Widow/widower
– Surviving divorced spouse
– Child(ren)
– Dependent parent(s)
It is typically necessary for survivors to provide proof of the worker’s death, as well as their own birth certificate, proof of United States citizenship, marriage certificate, and/or final divorce decree.
In addition to paying a monthly income amount to eligible survivors, Social Security may also pay out a one-time death benefit of $255.
It is important to note that Social Security survivor’s benefits cannot be applied online. Rather, a worker’s death must be reported by calling the Social Security Administration directly at (800) 772-1213.
Medicare Benefits
Applying for Medicare healthcare benefits through the Social Security Administration is also possible. If you have accumulated 40 work credits for Social Security, you will be eligible for premium-free Medicare Part A hospitalization insurance. (If you have fewer than 40 work credits, you may still be able to purchase Part A coverage)
Medicare Part B, which covers doctors’ services and necessary medical supplies and equipment, requires a monthly premium. Most Part B recipients pay a premium of $174.70 per month (in 2024). However, higher-income earners may be required to pay more.
More information about Medicare—including options for prescription drug plans and retirement information for Medicare beneficiaries—can be found on the Social Security Administration website by going to https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/index.html?topic=Medicare.
How to Submit Your Social Security Benefits Application
The Social Security Administration allows you to apply for benefits in several different ways. These include:
– Completing an online application for retirement, disability, or spouse’s income
– Calling the Social Security Administration directly at (800) 772-1213
– Going to a Social Security Administration office
*Note that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some of the in-person options may have changed. So, it is recommended that you call your local Social Security Administration location to determine whether or not you need an appointment.
