Social Security retirement benefits
Monthly retirement income for people 62 or older who have about 10 years of work covered by Social Security; the amount depends on earnings and the age benefits start, and filing also opens Medicare enrollment at 65.
A directory listing, not an eligibility decision.
UniHealth can identify a possible match, but the responsible program makes the final decision.
What to know
- Why it may fit
- Your circumstances can be checked against the program’s published guidelines.
- What to do next
- Monthly retirement income from Social Security. It can start as early as age 62. You apply online, by phone, or at an office.
- Who runs it
- Social Security Administration
What the program may consider
- Age 62 or older (reduced benefit before full retirement age)
- About 10 years of work covered by Social Security (40 credits)
- You are not already getting a Social Security benefit on this record
- Social Security calculates the benefit from the earnings record
How to get it
Monthly retirement income from Social Security. It can start as early as age 62. You apply online, by phone, or at an office.
How to apply
Social Security retirement application
Most people apply online. At 65 or older, the same application can also sign you up for Medicare.
The same application can also ask for Original Medicare.
- OnlineSocial Security website
- PhoneSocial Security: 1-800-772-1213TTY 1-800-325-0778
- In personYour local Social Security officeUse the office finder for the address and hours.
Getting help
Someone can apply for you
A helper can fill out the online application with you. You sign it yourself, by clicking online, by phone, or on paper. If you are not able to sign, a guardian or a relative who cares for you may sign. To have someone act on your case, name a registered person on form SSA-1696.
A helper can fill it out, but you still sign: ask for Claimant's Appointment of a Representative (SSA-1696).
What happens after you apply
Apply online, by phone, or at an office. You can apply up to 4 months before you want payments to start.
Social SecurityA helper can help with this
Social Security checks who you are and your age. It may ask for your birth certificate or other papers.
Social SecurityA helper can help with this
You choose whether to take Medicare Part B when you apply.
If you are 65 or older
YouOnly you can do this
Social Security may call or write if it needs more facts or papers.
Social SecurityA helper can help with this
You get a letter with your monthly amount and start date.
Social Security
Payments come by direct deposit or a Direct Express debit card. Each payment is for the month before.
Social SecurityOnly you can do this
What only you can do
- Sign your application, online, by phone, or on paper.
- Give proof of age and any papers Social Security asks for.
- Choose the month you want payments to start. Starting before full retirement age lowers your payment for life.
- Report changes, like a move, a new bank, or work earnings.
- How long it takes
- Social Security does not publish a set time. Apply up to 4 months before you want payments to start.
- You are enrolled when
- You are enrolled when you have an award letter and your first payment has come.
- To keep it
- Payments keep coming each month. Report a new address, a new bank, or work earnings. Each year you get a letter with your new amount.