by Monica Ochoa
More people are applying for Social Security retirement benefits the quick, convenient, and secure way: at www.socialsecurity.gov.
Race enthusiasts will be pleased to know that, although they should never make speedy decisions about when to retire, they can prepare and apply for retirement in a flash using our secure online services at www.socialsecurity.gov online services.
Fall is a popular time for marathons and any marathon runner will say that it takes training, perseverance, and endurance. The better part of the race is preparing before you even begin it. That goes for retirement planning too.
Run to our Retirement Estimator to get an instant estimate of your future benefits. Take your time, water breaks, and change the scenarios to see how the benefit amount changes with different dates and future earning estimates. Get a head start on your retirement planning at www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator.
Open a my Social Security account for immediate access to your personal Social Security information. During your working years, you can use my Social Security to view Social Security Statements to verify earnings and see estimates of the future retirement, disability, and survivor benefits you and your family may receive. It is extremely important to verify the accuracy of your earnings record while you’re working since future benefits are based on your earnings. If your earnings are not accurate, you may not get all the benefits you earned when you retire.
If you already get benefits, use my Social Security to get your proof of benefits letter, change your address or phone number in our records, start or change your direct deposit information, and check your benefit and payment information. Kick start your account at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.
Approaching the finish line of your working career? Join the millions, and complete the online application for retirement in as little as 15 minutes at www.socialsecurity.gov/applyonline. Once you complete and submit the electronic application, in most cases, that’s it—no more papers to sign or documents to provide. Just collect your trophy—in the form of retirement benefits for the rest of your life.