When and how to submit your Social Security retirement process

You can submit your Social Security retirement process online through your personal my Social Security account, by phone, or in person at your local Social Security office. The online route is fastest — you can complete it in about 15 minutes if you have your documents ready. By phone, you call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). In person, you walk into any Social Security office without an appointment, though wait times vary by location and time of day.

You can file up to four months before the month you want your benefits to start. Most people file in the month they turn 62 (the earliest age for retirement benefits) or at their full retirement age, which ranges from 65 to 67 depending on your birth year. You do not have to stop working to file, but your benefits may be reduced if you earn above a certain amount before you reach full retirement age.

The process itself asks for your Social Security number, date of birth, citizenship status, and direct deposit information for your bank account. You will also report your expected earnings for the current year if you are still working. The whole process takes about two weeks to two months from submission to your first payment, depending on the method you chose and whether Social Security needs to verify information with other agencies.

Key Takeaways

  • You can file online through my Social Security, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local office, and online is usually the fastest route.
  • You can submit your process up to four months before the month you want benefits to start, which gives you time to plan.
  • Social Security will ask for your Social Security number, birth date, citizenship status, and bank account details for direct deposit.
  • Your first payment typically arrives two weeks to two months after you submit, depending on how you filed and whether verification is needed.
  • If you are still working, you must report your expected earnings because benefits may be reduced if you earn above the annual limit.

Documents you need before you file

Gather your Social Security card (or the number if you do not have the card itself), birth certificate, and proof of citizenship or legal residency before you start. Proof of citizenship can be a U.S. passport, a Certificate of Naturalization, or a Certificate of U.S. Citizenship. If you were born outside the United States, you will need a green card or other immigration document showing your status.

You will also need your most recent tax return or W-2 form if you are still working, because Social Security uses this to verify your earnings history. If you are married and your spouse has not yet filed, bring their Social Security number and date of birth as well — this affects whether you can claim spousal benefits. If you are divorced, you will need the date of your marriage and divorce, plus your ex-spouse's Social Security number if you remember it (though Social Security can look it up if you do not).

Have your bank account number and routing number ready if you want direct deposit, which is the fastest way to receive your payment. If you do not have a bank account, Social Security can send payments to a prepaid debit card or by check, though these take longer to arrive.

What happens after you submit your process

Social Security sends you a notice within two weeks saying they received your process. This notice includes a confirmation number and tells you what happens next. If they need more information from you — for example, to verify your work history or immigration status — they will contact you by mail or phone with a specific request and a important date to respond.

While your process is being processed, Social Security checks your earnings record against tax records held by the Internal Revenue Service. They also verify your age and citizenship status. If everything matches, you will receive an approval notice with your benefit amount and your first payment date. If there is a discrepancy, Social Security will ask you to provide documents to clear it up, which can add one to three weeks to the process.

Your first payment arrives by direct deposit, prepaid card, or check depending on what you chose. If you filed online or by phone, your first payment usually comes within two weeks. If you filed in person, it may take up to two months. After that, you receive a payment once a month on the same date, for the rest of your life.

How your benefit amount is calculated

Social Security calculates your benefit based on your 35 highest-earning years of work. The formula uses your average monthly earnings adjusted for inflation, then applies a percentage based on your age when you start benefits. If you have fewer than 35 years of work history, Social Security counts the missing years as zero, which lowers your benefit.

The age you choose to file changes your monthly payment permanently. If you file at 62 (the earliest age), your benefit is about 30 percent lower than if you wait until your full retirement age. If you wait until 70, your benefit is about 24 percent higher than at full retirement age. This difference stays with you for life, so the choice depends on your health, life expectancy, and whether you need the money now.

Social Security sends you a benefit estimate before you file. You can see this estimate in your my Social Security account, or you can call 1-800-772-1213 to request one by mail. The estimate shows what you would receive at 62, at full retirement age, and at 70, so you can compare the options.

Working while you receive benefits

You can work and receive Social Security retirement benefits at the same time, but your benefits will be reduced if you earn above an annual limit. For 2024, the limit is $23,400 per year if you have not yet reached full retirement age. Social Security deducts $1 from your benefit for every $2 you earn above that limit. In the year you reach full retirement age, the limit is higher ($62,160), and the reduction stops once you reach full retirement age.

You must report your earnings to Social Security each year. If you file online, you can update your earnings information in your my Social Security account. If you filed by phone or in person, call 1-800-772-1213 to report your earnings. Social Security uses your tax return to verify what you reported, so make sure the numbers match.

If you earn more than the limit and your benefits are reduced, Social Security does not straightforward take the money back — they adjust your monthly payment. Once you reach full retirement age, there is no limit on how much you can earn, and your benefits are no longer reduced.

Changing your filing date or benefit amount

If you change your mind after you file, you have limited options. Within 12 months of filing, you can withdraw your process and reapply later at a higher age. If you withdraw, you must repay all benefits you received, including any amounts paid to your spouse or children. This option makes sense only if you filed early and want to wait for a higher benefit.

If more than 12 months have passed, you cannot withdraw your process. However, you can request a one-time increase if you have not yet reached age 70. This is called a "deemed filing" adjustment, and it applies only in specific situations. Social Security will explain whether this option is available to you when you call or visit.

You cannot change your benefit amount once it is set, except for cost-of-living adjustments that Social Security makes automatically each year. These adjustments are based on inflation and are the same for everyone receiving benefits.

What to do if your process is denied

Social Security denies applications when you do not have enough work credits to may have access to for retirement benefits. You need 40 work credits total, which is roughly 10 years of work. If you have fewer than 40 credits, you are not yet may be able to access for retirement benefits, though you may be may be able to access for spousal or survivor benefits if you are married or widowed.

If your process is denied, Social Security sends you a notice explaining why and telling you how to appeal. You have 60 days from the date on the notice to file an appeal. The appeal process has three levels: reconsideration (Social Security reviews your case again), a hearing before an administrative law judge, and review by the Appeals Council. Most people who appeal hire a representative — a lawyer or accredited agent — to help them, though this is not required.

If you believe Social Security made an error in your work history or benefit calculation, you can also request a correction without going through the full appeal process. Call 1-800-772-1213 and ask to speak with someone about correcting your earnings record.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file for Social Security retirement benefits before I turn 62?

No. The earliest age you can file for retirement benefits is 62. If you are younger than 62, you cannot start retirement benefits, though you may be may be able to access for disability benefits if you have a medical condition that prevents you from working.

What if I was born outside the United States?

You can file for Social Security retirement benefits if you have a green card or other valid immigration status. You will need to bring your immigration document to prove your status. If you are a citizen, bring your passport or Certificate of Naturalization instead.

Do I have to use direct deposit?

No. You can choose to receive payments by check or prepaid debit card instead. Direct deposit is faster and more find, but it is not required. Tell Social Security which method you prefer when you file.

What if I made a mistake on my process?

Call 1-800-772-1213 as soon as you notice the error. Social Security can correct most mistakes before your benefits start. If the error is discovered after you start receiving benefits, Social Security will adjust your payments to fix it, either by reducing future payments or sending you a bill for overpayments.

Can my spouse file based on my work record?

Yes. Your spouse can file for spousal benefits based on your work record if they are at least 62 years old, or at any age if they are caring for a child under 16. The spousal benefit is up to 50 percent of your full retirement age benefit. Your spouse must file separately, and Social Security will calculate their benefit based on both their own work record and your record, then pay whichever is higher.