You should apply for retirement benefits four months before you want your benefits to start. The easiest and most convenient way to apply for retirement benefits is by using our online application. You will need to create or log in to your personal my Social Security account. If we are not able to process your request, you will receive specific information on how to contact us by phone or schedule an appointment.
Apply for Retirement Benefits
We may need to see certain documents to complete your application. If you apply online, a list of documents we need to see will appear at the end of the application, along with instructions on where to submit them. The documents we may ask for are:
- Your original birth certificate or other proof of birth [more info] (You may also submit a copy of your birth certificate certified by the issuing agency).
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status if you were not born in the United States [more info].
- A copy of your U.S. military service paper(s) (e.g., DD-214 - Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) if you had military service before 1968 [more info].
- A copy of your W-2 form(s) [more info] and/or self-employment tax return [more info] for last year.
For more information, go to Apply for Retirement Benefits.
You can also apply:
- By phone - Call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- In person - Visit your local Social Security Office. (Call first to make an appointment.)
If you do not live in the U.S. or one of its territories you can also - Contact the nearest U.S. Social Security office, U.S. Embassy or consulate.
Other Questions You May Find Helpful
- How far in advance can I apply for Social Security retirement benefits?
- How do I return to an online application for retirement benefits that I already started but did not finish?
- How do I check the status of a pending application for benefits?
You should apply for retirement benefits four months before you want your payments to start. The easiest and most convenient way to apply for retirement benefits is by using our online application. You will be asked to create or log in to your personal my Social Security account. If we are not able to process your request, you will receive specific information on how to contact us by phone or schedule an appointment.
Apply for Retirement Benefits
We may need to see certain documents in order to pay benefits. If you apply online, a list of documents we need to see will appear at the end of the application, along with instructions on where to submit them. The documents we may ask for are:
- your original birth certificate or other proof of birth [more info] (You may also submit a copy of your birth certificate certified by the issuing agency);
- proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status if you were not born in the United States [more info];
- a copy of your U.S. military service paper(s) (e.g., DD-214 - Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) if you had military service before 1968; [more info]; and
- a copy of your W-2 form(s) [more info] and/or self-employment tax return [more info] for last year.
For more information, go to Applying Online for Retirement Benefits.
You can also apply:
- By phone - Call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm; or
- In person - Visit your local Social Security Office. (Call first to make an appointment.)
If you do not live in the U.S. or one of its territories you can also - Contact the nearest U.S. Social Security office, U.S. Embassy or consulate.
Other Questions You May Find Helpful
- How far in advance can I apply for Social Security retirement benefits?
- How do I return to an online application for retirement benefits that I already started but did not finish?
- How do I check the status of a pending application for benefits?
You can apply: You can help by being ready to: We may ask you to provide documents to show that you are eligible, such as: Important We accept photocopies of W-2 forms, self-employment tax returns or medical
documents, but we must see the original of most other documents, such as your birth certificate. (We will return them to you.) Do not delay applying for benefits because you do not have all the documents. We will help you get them. Depending on the information you provide, we may need to ask other questions. Note You should also have your checkbook or other papers that show your account number at a bank, credit union or other financial institution so you can sign up for Direct Deposit, and avoid worries about lost or stolen checks and mail delays.Documents you may need to provide
What we will ask you