How to File for Social Security Retirement
If you have reached the age of sixty-five and have put in enough years of work, you will be eligible to receive retirement benefits form the Social Security Administration. Your work history will be pulled up to ensure that you have earned enough credits over your lifetime to qualify for this type of benefit.
- Visit the Social Security Administration website to print out the forms that you are going to need to turn in to your local office to apply for benefits. This way you can fill out the paperwork in the comfort of your home, and have it ready when you go in to the office to apply.
- Locate the Social Security office nearest to you. You can easily find this information in the front of the phonebook under the section that is marked "Government."
- Visit your local Social Security office and let them know that you would like to file for retirement benefits. They will more than likely ask you to have a seat and wait for your number to be called by one of their representatives.
- Tell the representative that you would like to apply for retirement benefits, and provide them with the completed application that you filled out at home.
- Provide the representative with any paperwork or documents that they request such as your driver’s license, tax forms and Social Security card.
- Wait for a letter to come in the mail that lets you know that your application has been approved and when you will start receiving your retirement benefits. The letter will also let you know the amount of your monthly retirement benefits.