topic Re: applying for social security online? in Community Chat

applying for social security online?

MariotaMurielle — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 08:52:08 GMT

I will be retiring in 3 months. is applying for SS retirement benefits online the complete process, or is it just a preliminary application that has to be completed in person at the SS office?

Re: applying for social security online?

KathyPet — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 09:31:01 GMT

DH just did his application on line and at the end of the process he was told that he had to mail or bring his end of year earning statement for 2012 and 2013 to Social SEcurity. I fail to see why he has to provide the 2012 statement. Shouldn't they have that information in their records already via the IRS???

Re: applying for social security online?

daisy4 — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 10:43:52 GMT

My husband and I both applied by phone. We had questions we wanted to ask and felt it was better to speak to someone. The people we spoke to were extremely helpful, and made our application process very easy.

Re: applying for social security online?

151949 — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 12:26:04 GMT

My DH went to the SS office and applied 3 months before his actual last day of working. They did the app and gave him info about a website where he could see the progress of his case. When it was close to his last day of working and nothing was showing up on the website he went back to the SS office and they had to redo the application - which had mysteriously been lost in cyberspace. He ended up not getting his first check til 2 months later.

Re: applying for social security online?

10sluvr — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 12:28:46 GMT

i applied online and scheduled a call from them and completed the process over the phone. the man answered all my questions and helped me decide it it was best to apply now or wait until 65. no need to go into office. good experience for me.

Re: applying for social security online?

gidgetgh — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 12:32:20 GMT

My husband also applied online and completed the process over the phone.

Re: applying for social security online?

insomniac — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 12:57:48 GMT

The best method is to make an appointment and go to the SS office and work with an actual person.

You can look through the application online to see what information you'll need to supply.

Re: applying for social security online?

violann — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 15:37:49 GMT

I wound up having a problem with my name, so I did the preliminaries online but ultimately had to take paper proof to the office to receive Social Security payments.

Re: applying for social security online?

pommom — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 15:45:45 GMT

On 1/3/2014 insomniac said:
The best method is to make an appointment and go to the SS office and work with an actual person.

You can look through the application online to see what information you'll need to supply.

ITA with insomniac. I took a day off work and went in person. Took care of everything in one visit. Also, got a few tips as to timing and receiving more $.

Re: applying for social security online?

spud188 — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 15:46:37 GMT

I was able to do mine all online,no SS office or phone calls.

Re: applying for social security online?

pattypeep — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 15:54:19 GMT

I applied on-line. Never went into an office. The only contact was one phone call from a social worker at a pre-arranged time. I was surprised at what an easy process it was.

Re: applying for social security online?

~moxie~ — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 16:06:51 GMT

I did mine online as well, and when my husband passed away they not only took care of the small death benefit but switching me to my husbands SS account. I got 98% of his benefits which more than tripled what I was getting. All of this was done on the phone. And since my husband died at the beginning of his SS benefit months, they gave me what was available for that month.

I was also told that if I remarried (not a chance) I would still continue to get my husbands full benefits since I was over 60.

Re: applying for social security online?

MrsLorraine — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 16:34:01 GMT

I did it online and it was easy as pie.

Re: applying for social security online?

Msmeerkat — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 16:54:01 GMT

On 1/3/2014 pommom said:
On 1/3/2014 insomniac said:
The best method is to make an appointment and go to the SS office and work with an actual person.

You can look through the application online to see what information you'll need to supply.

ITA with insomniac. I took a day off work and went in person. Took care of everything in one visit. Also, got a few tips as to timing and receiving more $.

ITA as well. I made an appt and went in person. I was able to get answers to all my questions. Also, to the poster who said that tax returns were needed... SS has all that in their system, all of your tax returns from day one.

Re: applying for social security online?

lulu2 — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 16:54:05 GMT

On 1/3/2014 MrsLorraine said:
I did it online and it was easy as pie.

So did I.

Re: applying for social security online?

lovesrecess — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 17:08:05 GMT

you don't have to do it in person as long as you complete all the info required online. DH did this a few months ago and had no problems with it at all; pleasantly surprised

Re: applying for social security online?

Jerri E — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 17:20:20 GMT

When I did mine online, I then had to take birth certif and marriage license to show at office. Was frustrating and hopefully now not necessary. Hope all goes smoothly for you.

Re: applying for social security online?

madzonie — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 18:31:53 GMT

My husband and I both did ours online...it was very simple and easy.

Re: applying for social security online?

adelle38 — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 18:38:20 GMT

On 1/3/2014 spud188 said:
I was able to do mine all online,no SS office or phone calls.

Same here. I was able to do it all on line with no problems. If he's retiring in 3 months, he needs to get going now. Do whatever you are comfortable with.

Re: applying for social security online?

sfnative — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 19:46:08 GMT

I did it online and did not expect problems, as DH had done the same without the slightest glitch.

However...my application was submitted just prior to the government slowdown which was prior to the government shutdown. During this time my application sat in no-mans-land and I found it necessary to cancel a needed surgery, as I hadn't received my Medicare card to pair with my Blue X/ Blue Shield.

In the end, it took well over 3 months to get my SS and Medicare going, due to the shutdown. This was, however, the exception.