| In most cases, once you submit 
			your online application electronically, that’s it. There are no 
			additional forms to sign or paperwork to complete. In rare cases 
			where we need additional information, a representative will contact 
			you. You can 
			complete your application for retirement benefits from the comfort 
			of your home or office in as little as 15 minutes.  Then you can 
			celebrate 2012 by receiving your first Social Security payment on 
			time.  If you are not quite ready 
			to retire but are thinking about doing so in the near future, you 
			may want to visit Social Security’s website to use our convenient 
			and informative retirement planner at 
			
			
			www.socialsecurity.gov/retire2. 
			Here you can find out just how close you are to meeting your 
			financial goals and then “bookmark” the website to file for 
			retirement benefits whenever you are ready. We encourage people at any 
			stage in their working career to use the Retirement Estimator 
			for a instant, personalized estimate of future retirement benefits. 
			Find it at 
			
			
			www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator.
			  Remember that you’re always 
			first in line when you go online, to 
			
			
			www.socialsecurity.gov.
			 By Judith Bartels Social Security District 
			Manager in Springfield, IL   |