Turning 62, applying for Social Security later this month, need advice please

[steve2470]

Hello everyone,

I turn 62 later this year, and I can apply 90 days in advance for SS benefits. On May 25th, I plan on
applying. Yes, I am fully aware that my monthly benefits are significantly less than if I wait til age 65 or age 70.
I do not wish to discuss that, thanks.

From what I can tell, you cannot apply for retirement benefits online, only disability benefits. So, it seems you
must go in person to the SS office to apply.

I need advice. Do I take my social security card with me ? Of course, I will have my driver's license on me.
Do I need any further identifying information ? Do I need to do anything else to prepare ?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Steve

[captain queeg]

1. Not true I filed online. No problem

[Siwsan]

2. I applied on line. It took a little over a week for my first check to arrive!

I waited until a month after I turned 66, but in retrospect, I wish I had applied earlier. Yes. the $$ might be slightly less but then you are collecting for a longer period of time, so it can pretty much be a wash.

So, go and check out the site. On line registration is definitely available.

[stopbush]

7. I took SS at 62. I figured that I will lose at bit of $ if I live past 71.

Otherwise, it’s a wash or a win.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

31. And of course, your actual life expectancy at age 62

is another 20 years if you're male, 22 if you're female.

Chances are you will lose a lot.

On the other hand, if you currently have some sort of genuinely life-shortening condition, those numbers aren't correct for you.

[stopbush]

32. Like many Americans, I had little choice in taking early SS.

Losing a job in your late fifties in a time of rampant ageism in the job market sort of cuts down your options. Being overqualified exacerbates things.

[stopbush]

3. My wife and I both filed online, easy peasy.

[LiberalBrooke]

4. I applied for retirement benefits online.

I did it all online. I did get a phone call to confirm a bunch of facts after a week or so. I have never been to the SS office in person.

[CurtEastPoint]

5. Been on SS for 3 years, never have visited a SS office. All online.

[asiliveandbreathe]

6. I applied for SS at 62..never looked back..here is a link to get you

started..

https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/

Social Security offers an online retirement application that you can complete in as little as 15 minutes. It's so easy. Better yet, you can apply from the comfort of your home or office at a time most convenient for you. There's no need to drive to a local Social Security office or wait for an appointment with a Social Security representative.

There are pros and cons..depends on your situation..applying for SS at 62..hope this helps..

[steve2470]

29. thanks so much for the link!! nt

[asiliveandbreathe]

30. Happy to help...

Be well, stay safe...

[Yonnie3]

8. I did it online - regular Social Security

It took about 15 minutes.

https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/

Social Security offers an online retirement application that you can complete in as little as 15 minutes. It's so easy. Better yet, you can apply from the comfort of your home or office at a time most convenient for you. There's no need to drive to a local Social Security office or wait for an appointment with a Social Security representative.

In most cases, once your application is submitted electronically, you're done. Social Security will process your application and contact you by telephone or by mail if any further information is needed.
<snip>

Who can apply for retirement benefits online?

You can apply online for retirement benefits or benefits as a spouse if you:

are at least 61 years and 8 months old;
are not currently receiving benefits on your own Social Security record;
have not already applied for retirement benefits; and
want your benefits to start no more than 4 months in the future. (We cannot process your application if you apply for benefits more than 4 months in advance.)

It has been about 4-1/2 years so I don't recall the details. I was already on Medicare.

[lillypaddle]

9. I filed early as well

It's been since 2012, so my memory isn't great, but I believe I filed for it online. I have absolutely no memory of actually going in person to an office. Good luck.

[rickford66]

10. Proof of continuous medical insurance if you want to sign up for prescription Part D

Any gap in coverage adds a penalty to your premiums. My late wife and I went in a year in advance for information and were glad we did.

I just realized you're not going to get Medicare. Forget this until you're 65.

PS For anyone with a Green Card you have to apply in person.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

11. SS offices are closed, due to virus. SS - 800-772-1213

But, if you call, prepare to wait on hold.

IIRC, you need the social security card, photo id, and proof of citizenship/residence, like a birth certificate, passport, passport card. www.ssa.gov should have all the requirements. Driver license is not enough.

I thought you could apply four months in advance, so Monday would be a good time to start. Make the call, put in on speakerphone, make some coffee, get a good book.

Good luck.

[doc03]

12. I applied on line 10 years ago but maybe things have

changed. I went to the SS office 90 days before. I was asked why I was so early. The guy said if we turn it in this early the paper work will end up lost delaying your payment. He said come back or do it on line around your birthday. So I did it on line in early April on my birthday. I received my first check in May right on time. I retired at 62 myself and have never regretted it. Hey you wait until you are 65 you could be dead or unable to enjoy your retirement.
Happy retirement.

[Historic NY]

13. Birth Certificate.

I remember sending it in and they sent it back.

https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/applying5.html]



https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/forms/]

[BamaRefugee]

14. IF YOU ARE STILL WORKING, BEWARE!

I signed up at 62 and it was trouble free.
UNTIL.
I work, and plan to continue to work for as long as I can (although I'm in my second month of quarantine right now).
I turned 62 in October of that year, and I received checks for November and December that year. 5 and a half years ago.
Everything fine.
UNTIL.

6 months ago, I received a letter from SSA, stating that in the year I applied, I made too much money. They said I had done nothing wrong. They also said they DEMAND IMMEDIATE REPAYMENT TO THEM OF OVER $3000! To cover my November and December checks that year.

So they wait 5 years to inform me of this. I had to make a deal with them, where they now take out $75 a month from my check until the "debt" is paid off. Because no way was I paying out $3000 cash to them!

So just be cautious if you're still working. There was no way I could have known in October how much money I was going to make for the year, I'm self employed, money comes when it comes, and sometimes doesn't come at all. They didn't care.

Still, even my reduced check is CRUCIAL to me, anyone who says get rid of Social Security is an Enemy of the People!

[Patterson]

15. I went to the office. I was 65 and they also helped me with Medicare it seems like.

In my case, they were very helpful and the wait wasn't terrible. I'm glad I did it because I got all my questions answered and things were explained well. But, if you're savvy enough, online would be OK.

[padfun]

16. My account

Make an account with mySocialSecurity. You will need docs later and with an account, you can get them in minutes.

And you can apply right from the account you just created good luck.

[TreadSoftly]

17. Can file online, can phone for help, can visit the office

I did all three. My income is a combination of withdraw from IRA/403B, plus a little self-employment, and W-2.

I phoned in to SSA and was still not sure what to write down for the incomes so I made an appointment with local office. Had a very nice interview and finished right there. I found everyone to be very helpful.

BTW - I went early to SS and never looked back. I did a computation and discovered how much I'd have to liquidate in next few years, and that the breakeven was around age 80. Given my family's shortish life times, I decided I'd rather take SS than liquidate that large amount!

[appalachiablue]

18. The SS office is very busy now due to people applying

that have recently been laid off their jobs. Expect wait times in applying and processing, as this AP news article states.

Almost all businesses and govt. agencies are working slow now due to closures and low staff, as you likely know.

This said, I have not applied to SS myself but just so you're aware of current conditions.

Good luck. https://democraticunderground.com/1261639

[Cracklin Charlie]

19. Kick

Dang, I hope I have time to read all the good posts I’m kicking.

Good stuff today, DU!

[captain queeg]

20. I filed at 62. I did receive a phone call shortly after

The agent reviewed a couple things with me, one was about my son who had turned 18 before I filed. I think I filed in May and when I talked to them he was already graduating. They sent me a letter later on and it sounded like maybe he could get a couple months worth of benefits even though he was 18 while he was still in school. They hadn’t made that clear at the time. But the letter said since he wa 18 he should contact the SS office so I passed in the info to him. I know he tried calling and decided he would have to go down to the office which he hasn’t done yet. I pester him once in awhile. He’s in college now and I’m sure a month or two of benefits would help him out. But of course right now everything is screwed up.

[kacekwl]

21. I did it online

No problem. Go to the Social Security website and read up on it 1st , this will make it much easier. Good luck.

[Tech]

22. Just applied in line last week, got one email and one letter do far to let me know being processed.

We did end up calling because of a password snafu that was our fault, very nice person helped. It took us longer than 15 minutes, but less than 1 hour. Good luck.

[Faux pas]

23. I

Did mine by phone.

[mountain grammy]

24. I did it all online around 2 months before I turned 62

Been regular deposits since 11/2009 Wow it's been 10 years, womp, womp.

Enjoy!

[Tess49]

25. I applied online with no problem.

[packman]

26. If there is no other mitigating factors other than $today vs. $tomorrow

take it as soon as you can while you still have some health to enjoy the money. Age can be a cruel animal that sneaks up on you. The older you get the less you can do. Why have more dollars in your pocket if you can't enjoy it for one health reason or another? At age 62 I could still go walk on the beach, fish from a boat, travel and enjoy good food - now, not so much. And both my wife and I took SS at 62 and now, 17 years later, don't regret getting it later.

Take it and enjoy yourself.

[csziggy]

27. My husband applied online when he turned 62

Well, I did the typing while he sat around and watched. We did get one phone call verifying some info, then the agent insisted on talking to me. It turned out that since I do not qualify for Social Security, I get part of his benefits.

My husband is very happy he retired early. The stress at his job could have killed him by now. He's much healthier and happier without going back to that place.

[steve2470]

28. Thank you everyone for the help and information...

especially the revelation that I can do this online! Have a great day!

[steve2470]

33. I applied online, maybe someone will call me, thanks all! nt