Before you begin to apply for Social Security benefits, you should read the Social Security site to determine what types of benefits are offered and which you may qualify for.

Social Security was primarily created to provide retirement benefits to workforce, but the program is continuing to grow significantly and now Social Security allows disability options, death benefits and many other family benefits over and above retirement benefits.

To determine what Social Security benefits you may be eligible for, Social Security offers the BEST testing tool. With this tool you can determine whether you are entitled to Medicare, Social Security incapacitation, Social Security retirement, survivor benefits, unique veterans benefits, or even supplemental security income (SSI). Be ready to answer questions such as your date of birth, how much you have earned during your employment as well as some info regarding your personal finances. This information is necessary to determine what benefits (if any) you may be able to get.

When you have determined what benefits you may are eligible for, how do you apply for Social Security benefits?

The Social Security administration provides several ways to submit an application for Social Security. You can try online at ssa.gov, by visiting your local Social Security office, or simply by calling the SSA at 1-800-772-1213.

The online Social Security application may be used to apply for retirement or spousal benefits, or to get Medicare. To claim retirement benefits you should be at least 61 years and 9 months old. You must also look forward to starting your benefits within the next four months. Finally you have to live in the USA (or territories) to make use of the online application. In case you are close to age 65, you can apply for Medicare at the same time that you submit an application for Social Security retirement benefits.

When applying for benefits, you will be asked many questions regarding your age, your work history along with personal finance data. You will require the following documents available before you start the online application:

- Your birth record

- Your citizenship or the naturalization papers (if applicable)

- your military service documents (if applicable)

- your W-2 forms or self employment tax return relating to the last tax year.

Additionally, you should be prepared to provide the following information:

- your birth-date with place of birth

- your Social security identification number

- your bank-account and routing number (if you are requesting direct deposit for the benefits)

- the amount of money you earned the last two years, and your employer's name and address

- details about your military service

- details about your current and any former spouses, including name, Social Security number and date of birth (or age in case you don't know the birth-date)

- your income history in the most recent Social Security statement

If you are applying for Social Security retirement benefits, you must carefully decide the right time to apply. While you may collect Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62, that will not be the best time to apply. Your benefits varies substantially based on when you apply, or your decision on when to apply could affect your family.

If you want to have an idea how much you can expect to receive from Social Security, however you are not ready to apply for benefits now, the Social Security website provides several calculators to help you estimate your retirement benefit.

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