While choosing the right timing to apply for Social Security retirement benefits can be complicated, the actual process of applying is a lot more straightforward.
You can apply for your monthly benefit at any time between the ages of 62 and 70. I urge you to consider looking over the four things I think every Social Security applicant needs to know before filing a claim. Understanding birthday rules and the impact of accelerating or delaying your application for benefits will help you get the biggest check possible. After all, who doesn't want to get more than the average Social Security benefit?
After deciding when to apply for Social Security retirement benefits, you can apply online or with assistance in person at a local Social Security office.
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Applying for Social Security involves:
- Timing your first benefit payment
- Gathering all the information needed to apply
- Choosing to apply online or in person
- Deciding whether or not to withhold taxes
- Checking application or appeal status
1. Timing your first benefit payment
The age you choose to apply for benefits will impact your monthly benefit amount. You are entitled to full benefits only when you reach your full retirement age (FRA). If you start receiving benefits early, your benefits will be reduced a small percentage for each month before your FRA. If you delay taking your benefits from your FRA up to age 70, your benefit amount will increase.
While there's no "correct" claiming age for everybody, the prevailing opinion is that if you can afford it, delaying Social Security can pay off over a long retirement. The primary reason people start collecting Social Security early is because they need the money. It's worth considering putting off filing for your benefit to lock in a higher monthly payment for life if you can pay for your retirement expenses from savings for at least a couple of years.
Claiming benefits early. Claiming benefits before your FRA will decrease your check. Monthly benefits are reduced by 5/9 of 1% for each month before normal retirement age, up to 36 months. If the number of months exceeds 36, then the benefit is further reduced by 5/12 of 1% per month. If you wait to collect until after your FRA, your monthly benefit will increase.
Delaying collection of benefits. Waiting to collect your Social Security benefits will permanently increase your monthly payment. You'll get an extra 2/3 of 1% for each month you delay after your birthday month. You can further increase your benefit up to 8% for each full year you wait until age 70. You can't accumulate any additional delayed retirement credits after the age of 70.
Applying for spousal benefits. If you’re eligible because of your spouse’s work, your maximum benefit is achieved at your FRA and won't increase if you wait and apply after that time. There are no delayed benefits credits for benefits based on a spouse's contributions.
If your spouse has passed away, you may be eligible for Survivor benefits starting at age 60, or age 50 if you are disabled.
When to expect your first check should arrive
Your first check won't arrive until the month after the one you pick in your application. If needed, you can time your first benefit payment to avoid an income gap. You can apply any time up to four months before the month you pick.
For example, if you want your first check in May, follow this timing:
- Apply for benefits in December, January, February, March, or April
- Pick April as the month to receive benefits in the application
- Get your first check in May
2. Gathering all information needed to apply
The application requires some current and historical information. Before you go to a local SSA office or apply online, go through your records and gather the necessary information. You can use the list below to get started and also identify what records you need to request from previous employers or the IRS.
Type of Information | What is required? | How to get the information | Header Cell - Column 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
Basic information about yourself | Social Security number | Your SS card | Row 0 - Cell 3 |
| Row 1 - Cell 0 | Where you were born (city, state, country) | Birth certificate | Row 1 - Cell 3 |
Your earnings history | Verification of your record of earnings | You can receive an immediate Social Security Statement online by using a free my Social Security account | Fill out Request for Social Security Statement (PDF). Then, mail to the address provided in the form. |
Employer details for current year and prior 2 years | Name of employer, dates worked, average hours worked, pay rates | W-2s, pay stubs | Row 3 - Cell 3 |
Current and past marriages | Your spouse/former spouse's Social Security number and birth date, Date you got married/divorced and where you got married (city, state, country) | Marriage/divorce certificates, old joint tax returns should contain social security numbers for both spouses | Row 4 - Cell 3 |
Direct deposit for benefit payments | Routing and account number for your bank account | This information usually appears at the bottom of a check or check your bank's app/website | Row 5 - Cell 3 |
Names of your children- Some children may be eligible for benefits based on your work history. | SSA will ask for the first and last name of children who are: Age 17 and younger, or ages 18–19 and in school (K–12) full time, or any age if they developed a disability at age 21 or younger | Row 6 - Cell 2 | Row 6 - Cell 3 |
U.S. Military Service | Type of duty and branch and service period dates | Row 7 - Cell 2 | Row 7 - Cell 3 |
3. Applying for benefits online and in person
You will need to create or sign in to your my Social Security account when you start the online application process. This is a free service where you'll be able to manage your Social Security benefits by reviewing your earnings history, check the status of your application and print your 1099.
Applying online for your Social Security benefits is the easiest and most convenient way to apply. You can move at your own pace and save your application as you go, so you can take a break at any time. The Social Security Administration (SSA) estimates it takes 10 to 30 minutes to complete the online application, depending on the complexity of your situation.
Applying by appointment
By phone. Call the SSA and tell the representative that you want to set up an appointment to apply for benefits. They'll schedule it and determine whether it'll be on the phone or in person.
In person. You can apply in person with assistance by making an appointment to go to your local Social Security office. Appointments are made by phone at 1-800-772-1213. (Call TTY 1 800-325-0778 if you're deaf or hard of hearing); a SSA representative will schedule your appointment.
4. Deciding whether or not to withhold taxes
You will pay federal income taxes on your benefits if your combined income (50% of your benefit amount plus any other earned income) exceeds $25,000 per year if filing individually or $32,000 per year if married filing jointly. You might also be liable for state and local income taxes on your benefit, depending on where you live. Although not all retirees who live in states that tax Social Security benefits will have to pay state income taxes on their benefits.
The tax experts at Kiplinger can help you figure out if you live in one of the nine states that tax SS benefits. Read States That Tax Social Security Benefits in 2025 to learn which states levy a tax and the rate of taxation.
There are two ways to pay any tax due on your Social Security benefits. You can either pay the IRS directly at tax time or withhold taxes from your monthly payment. You may choose to withhold 7%, 10%, 12%, or 22% of your monthly payment.
The request to withhold taxes can be done by phone, fax, or mail. You can download Form W-4 V: Voluntary Withholding Request from the IRS' website. Then, fax or mail the completed form to the Social Security office closest to your home.
5. Checking application or appeal status
After applying, you can expect a letter letting you know if you are approved for benefits or if you need to provide more information. If you apply two to four months before your chosen start month, you should expect the letter towards the end of your chosen start month. Otherwise, you’ll typically get it within 30 days of applying.
You’ll pick a month for your benefit to start in the application. If approved, your first check generally arrives the month after the one you pick.
If you are not approved for benefits, you may want to appeal. Both the appeal process and the process of getting approval on your initial application can take some time. Several factors affect how long a review takes, including the type of application or appeal submitted. You can check up on the status of an initial application or appeal, see where you are in the process, and learn when the SSA expects to have a decision.
Check the status of your application by either logging in to your my Social Security account or calling 1 800-772-1213 (Call TTY +1 800-325-0778 if you're deaf or hard of hearing) for automated assistance. When you hear "How can I help you today?" say "application status."
Social Security in 2025
We are only halfway through the year, but there has already been a lot of change at the Social Security Administration (SSA). Some of the changes have affected how benefits are applied for.
Most recently, the SSA rolled back a policy of waiting three days before processing new retirement claims. The move was made to help alleviate the backlog of applications. The SSA has seen a surge of applications lately, attributable to three factors:
- 2024-2027 Peak zone of the Silver Tsunami. Since 2010, about 10,000 boomers have turned 65 per day, and they all will cross that age threshold by 2030. That number climbed to more than 11,200 every day in 2024 and will stay at that level through 2027.
- Social Security Fairness Act. The passage of the SSFA repealed the reductions (WEP and GPO) to public sector pensions and increased the number of people eligible for benefits.
- Concern about the stability of the system. Some people are becoming more concerned about the SSA's ability to sustain current benefit levels. With only eight years until the Social Security Trust fund becomes insolvent, the concerns aren't without merit. Others were spurred by staffing cuts and anxiety about changes proposed by DOGE.
Completing the application is the easy part
The process of applying for Social Security benefits isn't too complicated. You can do it yourself online or in person with assistance from a representative of the SSA. However, choosing when to apply is the harder part. The timing is up to you and should be based on your own personal needs. Consulting a dedicated specialist, such as a registered Social Security analyst, can help you hone in on the best claiming strategy to maximize your benefit.
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