Community Chat

[pattypeep]

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.

[~moxie~]

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.

[MrsLorraine]

I did it online and it was easy as pie.

[Msmeerkat]

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.

[lulu2]

On 1/3/2014 MrsLorraine said:

I did it online and it was easy as pie.

So did I.

[lovesrecess]

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

[Jerri E]

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.

[madzonie]

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

[adelle38]

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.

[sfnative]

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.