The Social Security Administration is pushing to have people file their applications for retirement disability and Medicare benefits online. This is due in part to the number of people filing for benefits and Social Security’s struggle with staffing of their field offices. Filing for benefits online is a good way to file. You can file from the comfort of your home, don’t have to wait to talk with someone and can leave the application and come back to it later if needed. You can read more about filing online is https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/forms/
It is recommended that you apply up to four months before you want your retirement benefits to begin. For example, if you want to receive benefits in June then you would file by the end of January to be safe.
Someone from your local Social Security office will still review your application and likely give you a call to verify your application status or let you know what documents they may need to complete the processing of your application. The retirement and Medicare online application is simpler than the disability process because medical information is also collected. All applications gather the information needed to process your request to completion.
The Social Security retirement application questions you have to answer whether you file in person, by phone or online include:
Initial Information
Your full name, Social Security number, gender and date of birth;
Your mailing and residence address;
Your phone and email contact information;
Your language preference;
Your place of birth and citizenship information;
Personal Information
Other Social Security numbers and names you have used (ex. maiden name);
Have you been unable to work during the last 14 months and is your disability expected to last at least 12 months or can be expected to result in death?
Family
Are you currently married?
If yes, your spouse’s name, Social Security number, date of birth, marriage date, marriage type (i.e. clergy or public official, etc.), and place of marriage;
Have you had any prior marriages that lasted 10 years or more?
Do you have any unmarried children under the age of 18?
Do you have any unmarried children aged 18 to 19 still attending elementary or secondary school full time?
Do you have any children who became disabled prior to age 22?
Earnings
Did you work or will you work in the current year?
If yes, your employer’s name, address, date your employment started and ended (or will end);
Are you self-employed?
Have your or your spouse worked outside the US?
Do you agree with your earnings history shown on your Social Security statement?
Are you a corporate officer of your employer?
Are you related to a corporate officer of your employer?
Do you receive earnings from a family corporation or other closely held corporation?
May Social Security contact your employer if necessary?
What are your total wages and tips in the current year?
Did you earn wages and tips over $1,310 in all months of 2016 (this figure will normally change each year)?
Months of 2016 when earnings are less than $1,310 (this figure will normally change each year);
Do earnings include any special payments paid in one year but earned in another year?
Other Pensions/Annuities
Have you ever worked in a job where Social Security taxes were not deducted or withheld?
Did your spouse work for the railroad for 5 years or more?
When to Start Benefits
You will be asked what month you want your benefits to begin;
Will you accept an age-related reduction in benefits?
Direct deposit information including the bank routing number, your account number and the account type (savings, checking, etc).
Other Benefits
Have you recently filed an application for Supplemental Security Income benefits?
Do you intend to apply for Supplemental Income benefits?
Have you filed any previous application(s) for Medicare, Social Security, or Supplemental Security Income benefits?
Health Insurance
Have you enrolled in Medicare Part B?
Do you want to enroll in Medicare Part B?
Are your receiving Medicaid?
Remarks
You are given the opportunity to add any remarks you feel are necessary.
Once your application is complete you will be given the opportunity to review your answers and make any corrections before submitting your application to the Social Security Administration.