Wrap up
your retirement application before wrapping up holiday gifts
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[December 31, 2010]
The
holiday season is, for many people the busiest time of year with
gift lists and to-do lists, feast planning and party preparation.
The busy schedule, like the gift lists, often can get out of hand.
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If you’re planning on retiring
sometime early in the new year, we suggest you wrap up your
retirement application now before wrapping any holiday gifts. It’s
so easy and can take as little as 15 minutes. Just go to
www.socialsecurity.gov/applyonline.
Our website makes the
retirement application process quick, easy, and secure. In most
cases, once your application is submitted electronically, you’re
done. There are no forms to sign and usually no documentation is
required. Social Security will process your application and contact
you if any further information is needed.
Before you start your
application, you may want to spend a few minutes to get an estimate
of your retirement benefit at
www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator.
The Retirement Estimator uses your personal employment
history to estimate your retirement benefit.
Then, jump right into the
retirement application. You can use the online application to apply
for Social Security retirement or spouses benefits if you:
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Are at least 61 years and
9 months old;
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Want to start your
benefits in the next four months; and
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Live in the United States.
Before filing online for
retirement, we suggest you have the following information on hand:
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Your date and place of
birth and Social Security number;
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Your bank or financial
institution's routing transit number and the account number, for
direct deposit of your benefits;
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The amount of money earned
last year and this year. If you are filing for benefits in the
months of September through December, you also will need to
estimate next year's earnings;
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The name and address of
your employer(s) for this year and last year;
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The beginning and ending
dates of any active U.S. military service you had before 1968;
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The name, Social Security
number, and date of birth or age of your current spouse and any
former spouse. You also should know the dates and places of
marriage and dates of divorce or death (if appropriate); and
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A copy of your Social
Security Statement
Even if you don't have all the
information we need at your fingertips, you should go ahead and
apply now.
Applying online means there is
no need for you to go to a Social Security office or wait for a
scheduled appointment with a Social Security representative.
Besides, retiring online is so easy. You can apply in as little as
15 minutes. That translates to more time for holiday shopping and
activities.
So beat the holiday rush and
wrap up your retirement application today at
www.socialsecurity.gov/applyonline.
By Judith Bartels
Social Security District
Manager in Springfield, IL
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