If you are nearing retirement age, consider applying for Social Security benefits. The process is not highly complex but requires some specific documentation. It is a good idea to gather the necessary documents before you start your application.
Preparing your documents will help the application process go more quickly and smoothly. Keep reading for all the details.
Documents Needed To Apply For Social Security Retirement Benefits
So, what documents are needed to apply for Social Security benefits? The Social Security Administration (SSA) requires several documents to accompany your retirement benefits application. The documents can vary slightly, depending on your specific situation. However, if you gather all the following documents before starting your application, you should be in a great spot. Also, remember that original documents are generally required, and photocopies are not usually accepted. Here are the documents you need to locate:
Social Security Card or Social Security Number
This requirement should be pretty obvious. You must provide your SSN to the Social Security Administration when you apply for benefits. The SSA uses your Social Security number to track your earnings record, and this record will determine the amount of your benefit payments each month. Although sometimes just knowing your Social Security number will suffice, there might be other instances where you need to provide your SSN card.
If you have lost your Social Security card, you can request a replacement card from the Social Security Administration. You can order your replacement online with a My Social Security account. You should know that a handful of states do not allow online replacement requests, so you will need to visit your local Social Security office to get a replacement in that case. Replacement requests typically take a couple of weeks to process, and you should receive your new card in the mail at your home address.
Birth Certificate
Remember that you must be a certain age to receive Social Security retirement benefits, and your payment amount is also dependent on your age. Therefore, you must prove your date of birth when applying for benefits. For this reason, you must submit your U.S. birth certificate to the Social Security Administration when you apply for benefits. Remember that an original birth certificate is generally required; photocopies are not usually accepted. A certified copy from the issuing agency will usually work as well.
If you cannot locate your birth certificate, contact your state’s Department of Health for a replacement. In some cases, you might be able to contact the hospital where you were born for assistance with getting a replacement. For those born abroad to U.S. citizen parents, your birth was likely recorded with the U.S. embassy in the country where you were born. You might need to contact the U.S. Department of State for a replacement birth certificate.
For those with no birth certificate, a religious record or birth report from your religious organization might work in some cases. You should contact the Social Security Administration for more details about using religious records to prove your age.
In addition to your birth certificate, you will likely also be asked to provide an identification card. A U.S. driver’s license is the most common identity document used when you apply for retirement benefits.
Proof Of U.S. Citizenship
When applying for benefits, you must prove your citizenship status or permanent resident status to the Social Security Administration. You should be good to go if you were born in the United States and provided a U.S. birth certificate to confirm your age. However, if you were not born in the United States, you must provide other documentation.
There are a few different documents that can be used to provide your citizenship status. A U.S. passport will suffice, as will a certificate of naturalization. A permanent resident card can also be used to prove your immigration status to the Social Security Administration. Remember that you will need to provide original documents, so you might want to visit your local Social Security Administration when applying for benefits so that you don’t have to send these documents in the mail.
Military Service Records
In some cases, you might be asked to provide proof of your service in the military. Generally, this requirement only applies to those who served before 1968. You might be asked to provide your discharge papers or your certificate of release from service. In this case, you are not always required to provide original documents. Photocopies might work when it comes to military service records. If you mail these documents to the Social Security Administration, they will be returned to you. However, there is always the risk of these critical documents getting lost in the mail.
Tax Returns
When applying for benefits, you must provide a copy of your W-2 form or self-employment tax returns from the previous year. Photocopies of these documents are accepted, so there is no need to provide originals. The Social Security Administration may use these for employment verification purposes or to determine whether your benefits will be reduced because you are still working.
Spousal Records
You might be applying for spousal or survivor benefits that use your spouse’s or former spouse’s earnings record. In that case, you must provide some documentation proving your relationship. This documentation could include a marriage license or a divorce decree. If you do not have these documents, you will likely need to contact the county where you were married or divorced for assistance. They can help you get a copy of your marriage license or divorce decree. Since the divorce decree is a court order, you might need the help of an attorney to get a replacement copy.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Several documents are needed when applying for Social Security benefits. You may need a birth certificate, proof of citizenship, military service record, tax return, W-2, and spousal records.
- To qualify for Social Security retirement benefits, you must have a sufficient work history (minimum of ten years) and be at least 62 years old.
- For those applying for SSI benefits, you will need many of the documents already mentioned, plus proof of limited income & resources.
How To Qualify For Social Security Benefits
Now that you know what documents you will need when you apply for benefits, let’s discuss what you need to do to qualify for benefits. The two most significant criteria are your age and work history.
Work History Requirement
You must have a work history and earnings record to get Social Security retirement benefits. Think about how Social Security works. You must have paid Social Security taxes into the system to receive retirement benefits. Generally, you must have worked for at least ten years to qualify for benefits. The longer you work and the more money you make, the higher your benefits will be.
Age Requirement
You must be at least 62 years old to start your retirement benefits, although a few exceptions allow you to start your benefits sooner. Even if you don’t have enough work credits, you can qualify for spousal benefits based on your spouse’s or former spouse’s work record.
As long as your spouse receives Social Security benefits, you can receive spousal benefits upon turning 62. However, you should know that your benefits will be reduced if you start them before reaching your full retirement age.
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Documents Needed To Apply For SSI Benefits
Qualifying for Supplemental Security Income benefits does not require a work history, although a financial need is necessary. Here are the documents you will need when you apply for SSI benefits. Many documents are the same as those required to apply for retirement benefits. You will need your birth certificate, identification card, Social Security card, and citizenship record. If your place of birth were outside the United States, you would likely need to show your immigration documents or Form I-94.
Proof of Limited Income & Resources
In addition, eligibility for SSI benefits requires financial need. So, you will also need to present proof of your income and resources. This might include bank statements, W-2 forms, payroll stubs, income tax returns, insurance policies, deeds to property, and other financial documents. Since you must have limited income and resources to qualify for SSI, the Social Security Administration will need to verify your financial status.
TIP
Before applying for Social Security benefits, it’s helpful to gather all the necessary documents; however, you shouldn’t delay applying if you are missing documents since you can provide them later.
Documents Required To Obtain A Social Security Card
Applying for Social Security benefits usually assumes you already have a Social Security card. So, what do you need to get a Social Security card? The answer often depends on whether you need a replacement or you need to apply for your first card. Getting a replacement Social Security card is usually pretty straightforward. You can request a replacement online as long as you are not performing a name change or changing any information on your card. Log into your My Social Security account and request a replacement. Note that a handful of states do not allow online replacement requests.
Form SS-5 and Proof of Identity
If you need to change your name or live in a state that does not allow online replacement requests, you should complete Form SS-5 to request a Social Security card. This is the same form used for initial card requests as well. To complete your request for a replacement, you must provide proof of your identity, like a driver’s license. You will need proof of identity and citizenship status for a new card request. You will also need to provide your birth certificate to prove your age.
If you have any questions about the required documents, call the Social Security Administration toll-free at 1-800-772-1213.
The Bottom Line
Are you wondering, “How do I apply for Social Security benefits?” Gather the required documents and complete the application! When preparing to apply for Social Security benefits, you should gather the necessary documents before starting your application. This should help your application get processed more quickly.
However, you can still apply for benefits if you cannot locate all the documents. You can always provide the documents later in the process.
Applying for health insurance coverage through Medicare doesn’t usually require as many documents, although some of the same ones will be necessary for that process.
Frequently Asked Questions
The first step in applying for Social Security is deciding when to start receiving benefits. You can start receiving your benefits as early as age 62, but doing so will significantly reduce your benefits.
To get 100% of your primary insurance amount, you must wait until full retirement age to start your benefits. If you can wait even later, you can accrue delayed retirement benefits and increase your monthly payments.
Once you have decided when to start your benefits, you should gather the required documents and complete your application. They will let you know if the Social Security Administration requires additional documentation.
Many people wonder how to sign up for Social Security. The quickest and easiest way to apply is online through the SSA website. However, that is not the only way; you can also apply for benefits via phone or in person at your local Social Security office.
Some people start their applications online and then visit their local office to provide their documents. Since you are required to submit original documents, many people choose not to send those through the mail. Although the Social Security Administration will return your documents, there is always a chance that they could be lost in the mail.
You should usually receive your first Social Security retirement check within three months of submitting your application. However, if your application is not complete, your first check could be delayed.
Failure to provide the proper documentation could delay the start of your benefits. However, you might still get a Social Security check and be required to provide some documents afterward.
There is only one Social Security application, and all applicants are required to provide the same information. However, depending on your situation, you might need to provide more documentation.
If the Social Security Administration needs to verify certain information, they might require you to provide additional documentation. The application is the same for everyone, and you must complete an application before you can start receiving your benefits.
You can find a Social Security Administration office near you by using our SSA office locator and searching for your closest location.
