Before you apply, take time to review the basics, understand the process, and gather the documents you’ll need to complete an application. We encourage you to create or sign in to your personal my Social Security account to verify your earnings. Your future benefits are based on the earnings we have on your earnings record.
Review Retirement Benefits Basics
You can start your retirement benefits as early as age 62 or as late as age 70. If you’re preparing to apply for retirement benefits, knowing when you’re eligible to apply and how the system works are the first steps in choosing what age is right for you. Before you submit an application, go to our Learn About Retirement Benefits page to understand:
- How you qualify for Social Security benefits.
- How your earnings and age can affect your benefits.
- What you should consider in deciding when to start receiving benefits.
- Retirement benefits for spouses and family members.
Understand The Application Process
The retirement benefits application process follows these general steps, whether you apply online, by phone, or in person:
- Gather the information and documents you need to apply.
- Complete and submit your application.
- We review your application and contact you if we need more information.
- We mail you a decision letter.
- You start receiving your retirement benefits.
How Early Can I Apply?
You must be at least age 62 for the entire month to be eligible to receive benefits. If you were born on the first or second day of the month, you meet this requirement in the month of your 62nd birthday. If you were born on any other day of the month, you do not meet this requirement until the following month.
You can apply up to four months before you want your retirement benefits to start. For example, if you turn 62 on December 2, you can start your benefits as early as December. If you want your benefits to start in December, you can apply in August. If you turn 62 any day after December 2, you are not age 62 for the entire month of December. You can start your benefits as early as January when you are 62 for the entire month. If you want your benefits to start in January, you can apply in September.
Social Security benefits are paid in the month following the month they are due. If you are due benefits for the month of December, you will receive your first check in January for December.
Ready To Start Medicare?
If you’ll turn 65 within three months, you can use our online application to apply for Medicare and Social Security retirement benefits at the same time, or you can use it to apply for just Medicare. To learn more about your Medicare options, review our section on Medicare Benefits.
Applying As A Spouse Or Family Member
You may be able to receive retirement benefits on your spouse or former spouse’s record. Likewise, your spouse or family member may be able to receive benefits on your record if they qualify. Learn more about Benefits For Your Family.
Retirement Benefits For Survivors
If you are the spouse, divorced spouse, family member, or parent of a worker who has died and you are planning to apply for retirement benefits, review our Survivors Benefits page to see how Social Security survivor benefits relate to your situation.
Gather Information You Need to Apply
Before applying, be ready to provide your Social Security number and information about:
- Dates of current and previous marriages, and where you were married.
- U.S. military service dates and branches.
- Employer names and dates for the past two years.
- Self-employment income and type of business.
- Bank information to set up your direct deposit.
- Family members who may be eligible to receive benefits on your record.
We will ask for certain documents we need to review and process your application. These documents may include:
- Your original birth certificate or other proof of your age. This must be the original document or a certified copy from the issuing agency.
- Proof of U.S. citizenship if you were not born in the U.S. and have not submitted proof for an earlier Medicare or Social Security claim. We must see the original document(s) or copies certified by the agency that issued them. We cannot accept expired, notarized, or photocopied documents.
- A copy of your W-2 tax form(s) and/or self-employment tax return from last year. A photocopy is acceptable.
- A copy of your U.S. military service papers if you served before 1968. A photocopy is acceptable.
As you prepare to apply for benefits, first gather the documents listed on our . Instructions on how to submit your documents will appear at the end of the online application.
If applying by phone, gather the information above. We will walk you through the process on the phone.
If applying in person, ask your local Social Security office what you need to bring when you call to schedule your appointment. They can help you if you don’t have all your documents right now.
