Ready for Social Security Benefits? Here’s What You Need to Do

Here are some key points to know when you are eligible for social security benefits as outlined by the U.S. Social Security Administration.

You can apply for retirement benefits online at http://www.socialsecurity.gov or you can call the toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213. Or you can make an appointment to visit any Social Security office to apply in person.

Depending on your circumstances, you will need some or all of the documents listed below. But do not delay applying for benefits because you do not have all the information.

Q. What Will 10,000 New People a Day/Every Day for the Next 20 Years Have in Common?

A. The Baby Boomers start to become eligible for social security benefits. Last year, the oldest of the 79 million baby boomers born from 1946 through 1964 turned 62 and became eligible.

The Social Security Administration is hoping that most of the boomers will apply online, which takes less than 15 minutes. However, we all know that there are millions and millions who won’t or can’t take advantage of that technology. “We just don’t have the infrastructure to handle that workload in the traditional fashion”, said Social Security Commissioner Michael J. Astrue.