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steve2470

(37,455 posts)
Fri May 1, 2020, 03:42 PM May 2020

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

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

33 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Turning 62, applying for Social Security later this month, need advice please (Original Post) steve2470 May 2020 OP
Not true I filed online. No problem captain queeg May 2020 #1
I applied on line. It took a little over a week for my first check to arrive! Siwsan May 2020 #2
I took SS at 62. I figured that I will lose at bit of $ if I live past 71. stopbush May 2020 #7
And of course, your actual life expectancy at age 62 PoindexterOglethorpe May 2020 #31
Like many Americans, I had little choice in taking early SS. stopbush May 2020 #32
My wife and I both filed online, easy peasy. stopbush May 2020 #3
I applied for retirement benefits online. LiberalBrooke May 2020 #4
Been on SS for 3 years, never have visited a SS office. All online. CurtEastPoint May 2020 #5
I applied for SS at 62..never looked back..here is a link to get you asiliveandbreathe May 2020 #6
thanks so much for the link!! nt steve2470 May 2020 #29
Happy to help... asiliveandbreathe May 2020 #30
I did it online - regular Social Security Yonnie3 May 2020 #8
I filed early as well lillypaddle May 2020 #9
Proof of continuous medical insurance if you want to sign up for prescription Part D rickford66 May 2020 #10
SS offices are closed, due to virus. SS - 800-772-1213 JustABozoOnThisBus May 2020 #11
I applied on line 10 years ago but maybe things have doc03 May 2020 #12
Birth Certificate. Historic NY May 2020 #13
IF YOU ARE STILL WORKING, BEWARE! BamaRefugee May 2020 #14
I went to the office. I was 65 and they also helped me with Medicare it seems like. Patterson May 2020 #15
My account padfun May 2020 #16
Can file online, can phone for help, can visit the office TreadSoftly May 2020 #17
The SS office is very busy now due to people applying appalachiablue May 2020 #18
Kick Cracklin Charlie May 2020 #19
I filed at 62. I did receive a phone call shortly after captain queeg May 2020 #20
I did it online kacekwl May 2020 #21
Just applied in line last week, got one email and one letter do far to let me know being processed. Tech May 2020 #22
I Faux pas May 2020 #23
I did it all online around 2 months before I turned 62 mountain grammy May 2020 #24
I applied online with no problem. Tess49 May 2020 #25
If there is no other mitigating factors other than $today vs. $tomorrow packman May 2020 #26
My husband applied online when he turned 62 csziggy May 2020 #27
Thank you everyone for the help and information... steve2470 May 2020 #28
I applied online, maybe someone will call me, thanks all! nt steve2470 May 2020 #33

Siwsan

(26,123 posts)
2. I applied on line. It took a little over a week for my first check to arrive!
Fri May 1, 2020, 03:47 PM
May 2020

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

(24,365 posts)
7. I took SS at 62. I figured that I will lose at bit of $ if I live past 71.
Fri May 1, 2020, 03:49 PM
May 2020

Otherwise, it’s a wash or a win.

PoindexterOglethorpe

(25,684 posts)
31. And of course, your actual life expectancy at age 62
Mon May 4, 2020, 10:39 AM
May 2020

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

(24,365 posts)
32. Like many Americans, I had little choice in taking early SS.
Mon May 4, 2020, 10:47 AM
May 2020

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.

LiberalBrooke

(527 posts)
4. I applied for retirement benefits online.
Fri May 1, 2020, 03:48 PM
May 2020

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.

asiliveandbreathe

(8,203 posts)
6. I applied for SS at 62..never looked back..here is a link to get you
Fri May 1, 2020, 03:48 PM
May 2020

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..

Yonnie3

(17,338 posts)
8. I did it online - regular Social Security
Fri May 1, 2020, 03:49 PM
May 2020

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

(9,580 posts)
9. I filed early as well
Fri May 1, 2020, 03:49 PM
May 2020

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

(5,491 posts)
10. Proof of continuous medical insurance if you want to sign up for prescription Part D
Fri May 1, 2020, 03:50 PM
May 2020

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

(23,266 posts)
11. SS offices are closed, due to virus. SS - 800-772-1213
Fri May 1, 2020, 03:52 PM
May 2020

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

(35,078 posts)
12. I applied on line 10 years ago but maybe things have
Fri May 1, 2020, 03:56 PM
May 2020

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.

BamaRefugee

(3,473 posts)
14. IF YOU ARE STILL WORKING, BEWARE!
Fri May 1, 2020, 03:58 PM
May 2020

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

(1,525 posts)
15. I went to the office. I was 65 and they also helped me with Medicare it seems like.
Fri May 1, 2020, 03:58 PM
May 2020

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

(1,775 posts)
16. My account
Fri May 1, 2020, 03:58 PM
May 2020

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

(219 posts)
17. Can file online, can phone for help, can visit the office
Fri May 1, 2020, 03:59 PM
May 2020

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

(40,994 posts)
18. The SS office is very busy now due to people applying
Fri May 1, 2020, 04:06 PM
May 2020

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

captain queeg

(10,019 posts)
20. I filed at 62. I did receive a phone call shortly after
Fri May 1, 2020, 04:36 PM
May 2020

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

(6,986 posts)
21. I did it online
Fri May 1, 2020, 04:46 PM
May 2020

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

Tech

(1,762 posts)
22. Just applied in line last week, got one email and one letter do far to let me know being processed.
Fri May 1, 2020, 05:04 PM
May 2020

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.

mountain grammy

(26,552 posts)
24. I did it all online around 2 months before I turned 62
Fri May 1, 2020, 05:38 PM
May 2020

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

Enjoy!

 

packman

(16,296 posts)
26. If there is no other mitigating factors other than $today vs. $tomorrow
Fri May 1, 2020, 08:08 PM
May 2020

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

(34,115 posts)
27. My husband applied online when he turned 62
Fri May 1, 2020, 08:54 PM
May 2020

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

(37,455 posts)
28. Thank you everyone for the help and information...
Sat May 2, 2020, 07:27 AM
May 2020

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

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