Signing up online for SS retirement benefits (supplement, marriage, social security)

[popcorn247]

I am single, no dependents. Now that I am retired, I would like to start receiving SS retirement benefits. Has anyone done this online? I might want to do this rather than go to the Social Security office. Any reasons not to sign up online? Any comments?

[Deelighted]

I signed up online. A week or so later I received a phone call from SSA. Went over my application on the phone and it was completed quickly. Received my first benefits on time. Was really very easy to do it online.

[Mark bridge]

I signed up for SS on line. No one called me, but everything went smoothly.

[theoldnorthstate]

I signed up on line and no problems. But they called me and required me to come in so they could confirm ID. I needed SS card, passport, driver's license or one other picture ID

But that appointment went well they made some positive for me changes in my application and I had my first check just a few weeks later.

All went well basically.

[JRR]

My wife signed up online last year. She got a phone call about a week later confirming what month she wanted it to start. Very smooth and easy.

I am going to sign up for spousal benefits later this month and plan to do it online. However, it looks like I may have to go by the local office with my marriage certificate once I have submitted my application.

[rjm1cc]

On line is fine but do some research on when to start your benefits. It could be better to wait.

[reed303]

As a single, your online app should go smooth. Providing any needed documentation may or may not call for a trip to an office. As a military veteran, I needed to provide a copy of my DD214 discharge paper. But they let me e-mail a scanned copy.

My own on-line app was a little complicated as I was already on Survivor's benefits based on my deceased wife's record. When I applied for benefits on my own delayed age 70 record, I did it on-line but there was a problem. My initial award was based on FRA age, not age 70 with DRCs. Had to write and mail an appeal form. But it was fixed in 2 months with retroactive effect.

I have read since then that on-line claims that are simple and straight forward usually go thru OK. Claims that are more complicated, not so much.

BTW, on original Survivor's claim, SSA did want original or certified copies of birth, marriage and death certificates.

[JRR]

I applied for spousal benefits online last week and got a phone call today to verify a couple of things and I am all set. I don't even have to submit a copy of my marriage certificate as they just confirmed with my wife over the phone that we are still married. Can't get much easier than that!

They did say that I will be getting a new Medicare card that will be under my wife's Social Security number. So I will have to remember to have all my doctors change their information on my records and do the same with my Medicare supplement insurer when my spousal benefits start.

[Escort Rider]

Nine years ago when I applied for benefits, it never occurred to me that I could apply online, so I applied in person. Seven years later my sister applied online and said she had no problems.

[Normashirley]

I took early retirement in 2009, applied on-line, got a phone call from SS to confirm a couple things, got my first check direct-deposited on time.

Mr. Norma started collecting last Fall. He did everything on line, except for one thing. He went into the SS office for that but I'm not sure he would have had to. He is really old school about doing some personal business on-line.

He also got his first check direct-deposited on time.