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Applying for your Social Security benefits is less of a daunting process than it may seem, especially since the Social Security Administration (SSA) allows you to apply online. Once you’ve determined the best age to apply for your situation, the actual application is fairly straightforward. The SSA will need a few documents and some supplementary information from you in order to begin sending you your benefits.
If you need help setting and reaching retirement goals, consider working with a financial advisor.
Documents You Need When Applying for Social Security
When it’s time to apply for your Social Security benefits, you’ll need to have the following documents in hand:
- Your Social Security card
- Your original birth certificate, or a certified copy
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status
- Military service papers, if applicable
- Your W-2 form from the last year
If you’re unable to locate certain documents, you still shouldn’t delay applying for benefits. Your local Social Security office can help you obtain certified copies or acceptable substitutes, and in some cases, you may provide documentation later in the process. Postponing your application could result in a loss of benefits.
The Social Security Administration may accept photocopies of certain documents, such as W-2s and tax returns. However, original documents are required for others, including your birth certificate.
Other Information Your Social Security Application May Ask For
If you’re married, you’ll need to provide your spouse’s name, Social Security number, date of birth and age. You must also supply the date and place of your marriage, as well as the same information for any former spouses, if applicable. For administrative purposes, you will need to specify the month you want your benefits to begin and provide your bank’s routing and account numbers for direct deposit.
As part of the application process, you may also choose to enroll in Medicare Part B, provided you meet the eligibility requirements.
You should also note in your application if:
- Do you have any unmarried children under the age of 18 or disabled children under the age of 22.
- Have you ever filed for Social Security benefits, Medicare or Supplemental Security Income on your behalf
- You’ve ever used a different SSN
Work Information You’ll Need When Applying for Social Security
Your work history can affect your benefits, so you’ll need to provide the Social Security Administration with certain employment details. This includes the name and address of your employer for the current year and the prior year.
You’ll also need to report how much you earned this year and last year, and in some cases, estimate your income for the following year. An income estimate is required if you apply for benefits in September, October, November or December.
Similar to the above section, you should also indicate on your application if any of these conditions apply to you:
- You’ve been unable to work because of injury, illness or another condition at any point within the past 14 months.
- You’ve qualified for a pension or an annuity from a federal or state government employer.
- You or your spouse have ever worked for the railroad industry in any capacity
- You’ve earned any Social Security credit under the Social Security system of another country
Before retirement, it’s important to constantly check-in and make sure you’re on pace for retirement. Use this calculator to help you get started:
Retirement Calculator
Calculate whether or not you’re on track to meet your retirement savings goals.
About This Calculator
To estimate how much you may need to save for retirement, we begin by calculating how much you're expected to spend over the course of your retirement. This includes estimating the income you'll need based on your lifestyle preferences, then factoring in how many years you may spend in retirement. We assume a lifespan of 95 by default, though you can adjust it after your calculation is complete.
Once we have a clearer view of your total retirement needs, we use our models to evaluate your existing and future resources. This includes estimating retirement income from Social Security and the impact of current retirement plans, pensions and other accounts. For additional inputs and a comprehensive retirement plan, please see our full Retirement Calculator.
Assumptions
Lifespan: We assume you will live to 95. We stop the analysis there, regardless of your spouse's age.
Retirement accounts: We automatically distribute your future savings optimally among different retirement accounts. We assume that the IRS contribution limits for your retirement accounts increase with inflation.
Social Security: We estimate your Social Security income using your stated annual income and assuming you have worked and paid Social Security taxes for 35 years prior to retirement. Our estimate is sensitive to penalties for early retirement and credits for delaying claiming Social Security benefits.
Return on savings: We assume the percentage return on your savings differs by whether you're pre- or post-retirement and by account type, with a distinction between investment accounts and savings accounts. This assumption does not account for market volatility or investment losses and assumes positive growth over time. All investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal.
SmartAsset.com is not intended to provide legal advice, tax advice, accounting advice or financial advice (Other than referring users to third party advisers registered or chartered as fiduciaries ("Adviser(s)") with a regulatory body in the United States). Articles, opinions, and tools are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. The retirement calculator is meant to demonstrate different potential scenarios to consider, and is not intended to provide definitive answers to anyone's financial situation. We always suggest that you consult your accountant, tax, legal or financial advisor concerning your individual situation.
This is not an offer to buy or sell any security or interest. All investing involves risk, including loss of principal. Working with an adviser may come with potential downsides such as payment of fees (which will reduce returns). Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. There are no guarantees that working with an adviser will yield positive returns. The existence of a fiduciary duty does not prevent the rise of potential conflicts of interest.
Bottom Line
Most of the documents and information you’ll need for your Social Security application should be easy enough to get your hands on. If you have trouble doing so, your best option is to visit your local Social Security office and start your application anyway. Odds are, the SSA will be able to help you track down any documents or information you don’t have. For instance, you can use Form SS-5 to order a new Social Security card.
Once you’ve gathered all the necessary info and documents, you should have no problem with your application. Then you’ll be well on your way to supplementing your retirement savings with Social Security benefits.
Tips For a Successful Retirement
- Finding a financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
- Understanding the benefits you could qualify for is important. Try using a social security calculator to help you estimate what your benefits could be.
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