{"id":413,"date":"2020-11-02T19:37:00","date_gmt":"2020-11-02T19:37:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog-2023\/?p=413"},"modified":"2023-06-22T20:33:53","modified_gmt":"2023-06-22T20:33:53","slug":"documents-needed-to-apply-for-social-security-retirement-benefits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/documents-needed-to-apply-for-social-security-retirement-benefits\/","title":{"rendered":"Documents Needed To Apply for Social Security Retirement Benefits"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"413\" class=\"elementor elementor-413\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-ff0b89f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"ff0b89f\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7f89a79\" data-id=\"7f89a79\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d86d4cf elementor-widget elementor-widget-template\" data-id=\"d86d4cf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"template.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-template\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"196\" class=\"elementor elementor-196\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-339b45e0 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"339b45e0\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3f771e94\" data-id=\"3f771e94\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-44435407 elementor-cta--skin-classic elementor-animated-content elementor-bg-transform elementor-bg-transform-zoom-in elementor-widget elementor-widget-call-to-action\" data-id=\"44435407\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"call-to-action.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/elementor\/css\/custom-pro-widget-call-to-action.min.css?ver=1764022918\">\t\t<a class=\"elementor-cta\" href=\"https:\/\/simplywise.app.link\/Iv0wVANrvfb\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-content-item elementor-cta__content-item elementor-icon-wrapper elementor-cta__icon elementor-view-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"far fa-lightbulb\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-cta__title elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item\">DID YOU KNOW?<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__description elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tRetirement is 99% easier when your paperwork is organized. \n\nJoin 250,000+ Americans securely storing their important receipts, bills &amp; documents with the SimplyWise app.\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__button-wrapper elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item \">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-cta__button elementor-button elementor-size-md\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tGet the App\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-8adca79 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"8adca79\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3933d2c\" data-id=\"3933d2c\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e05758a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e05758a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.13.3 - 28-05-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p>Applying for\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/social-security-retirement-benefits\/\">Social Security retirement benefits<\/a>\u00a0might seem like a challenging process, but a little bit of preparation goes a long way. In fact, the Social Security Administration (SSA) office now allows applicants to apply online. If you\u2019ve already decided you\u2019re at the right age for retirement and you want to get the process started, the application isn\u2019t overly difficult to fill out and submit.<\/p><p>One of the most important things to do before applying for Social Security benefits is gathering up all the paperwork you will need. Gathering the documents needed to apply for Social Security retirement benefits before you submit your application is what will make the process simple. For example, the SSA will need to verify your birthday and the fact that you have United States citizenship, so having your original birth certificate (or a certified copy) can go a long way.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-368ba20 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"368ba20\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7980893\" data-id=\"7980893\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-b27d585 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"b27d585\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-f1a2a94\" data-id=\"f1a2a94\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-54dc49c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"54dc49c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Personal Information and Documents Needed to Apply for Social Security<\/h2><p>When you\u2019re filling out a Social Security retirement\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/social-security-checklist\/\">benefits application<\/a>, you\u2019ll need to provide lots of information about yourself. We already mentioned that your birthday is part of that, but it goes far beyond that. You\u2019ll also need to share your Social Security number, place of birth, and when you want to begin receiving benefits.<\/p><p>You\u2019ll also need to share information about your spouse, including their name, date of birth, and Social Security number. The place and date of marriages, divorces, and deaths will also need to be disclosed, which marriage and divorce documents can help with. Those with children under 18, under 19 and still in school, or disabled children will also need to provide their names.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-8db1acf\" data-id=\"8db1acf\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9a2445c elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"9a2445c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.13.3 - 28-05-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=\".svg\"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"584\" src=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Screen-Shot-2023-06-15-at-2.40.21-PM.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-416\" alt=\"applying social security\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Screen-Shot-2023-06-15-at-2.40.21-PM.png 679w, https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Screen-Shot-2023-06-15-at-2.40.21-PM-300x274.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cdd82d1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cdd82d1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Some of the additional information required to apply for retirement benefits include:<\/p><ul><li>Your citizenship status<\/li><li>Your credit union or bank account number and routing transit number<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Information about whether you\u2019ve previously filed for Medicare, Social Security benefits, or Supplemental Security Income<\/li><li>Whether a different Social Security number has ever been used<\/li><li>For those who are close to or over the age of 65, whether you would like to apply in Medicare Part B<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-799f37a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"799f37a\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-07fec03\" data-id=\"07fec03\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1d727c3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1d727c3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Required Information About Your Present and Past Employment<\/h2><p>In addition to providing a wide range of information about yourself, you will also need to know numerous things about your employment history for your retirement benefits application. When applying, you will need to disclose who you worked for over the last two years and where those businesses are located. The amount of money that you earned over the last two years will also be required.<\/p><p>Other information regarding employment that is required to apply for benefits includes either a record of your earnings or a copy of your Social Security Statement. Individuals who don\u2019t have a copy of the statement can get one online by\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/myaccount\/\">creating an account<\/a>\u00a0with the SSA. Other factors that will need to be disclosed on the application include:<\/p><ul><li>The dates you started and ended U.S. military service before 1968 if applicable<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Whether you or your spouse have even been employed with the railroad industry<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Whether you\u2019ve been unable to work at any point in the last 14 months due to injuries, illnesses, or conditions and what dates work was not possible<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Whether you have received any Social Security credits in another country under its system<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Whether you expect to get or qualify for an annuity or pension from your employment under the Federal government or a state or local subdivision<\/li><\/ul><div>\u00a0<\/div><h2>\u00a0<\/h2><h2>Essential Documents Needed to Apply for Social Security Retirement Benefits<\/h2><p>Now that you have an idea of what kind of information will be needed for your application, it\u2019s time to start getting your documents together. Some of these things might seem like common sense, while others you might not think to gather if you weren\u2019t aware that they were needed. If you don\u2019t have access to all of these documents, now is an excellent time to see what is missing and determine the best way to replace it.<\/p><p>Some of the documents you may be asked for include:<\/p><ul><li>Your Social Security card or a record of the number<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Proof of U.S citizenship or lawful alien status if you were born outside the country<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>An original birth certificate or a certified copy if you were born in the United States<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>A copy of your U.S. military service papers if you served before 1968<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>A copy of your self-employment tax return or W-2 forms for the previous years<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Marriage, divorce, and death certificates for current or former spouses<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Bank information for making deposits<\/li><\/ul><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>Those who have already verified their age, lawful alien status, or citizenship for a Social Security or Medicare claim may not need to provide all of this proof again. After the documents have been processed, they will be returned to you unless you request an alternative.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-0cff187 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"0cff187\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e6aad2e\" data-id=\"e6aad2e\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-33d3f62 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"33d3f62\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-1a11ebd\" data-id=\"1a11ebd\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6b0d93a elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"6b0d93a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"625\" src=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Screen-Shot-2023-06-15-at-2.43.07-PM.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-417\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Screen-Shot-2023-06-15-at-2.43.07-PM.png 677w, https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Screen-Shot-2023-06-15-at-2.43.07-PM-300x293.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-fa754df\" data-id=\"fa754df\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-65b70fa elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"65b70fa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>Your Birth Certificate<\/h3><p>The SSA will ask to see your birth certificate as a way to prove you are the age you say you are. Most of the time, this can be an original certificate or a certified copy. If you have lost track of your birth certificate, there are several ways to get a new copy to complete your paperwork. You can talk to the vital records office for the state where you were born to get a new copy of the birth certificate. You will likely need to provide certain documents and information before a replacement is provided to you.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-faf2af4 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"faf2af4\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-0767d60\" data-id=\"0767d60\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-202c75a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"202c75a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3d2701b elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section elementor-top-section\" data-id=\"3d2701b\" data-element_type=\"section\"><div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\"><div class=\"elementor-row\"><div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0eabf17 elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column\" data-id=\"0eabf17\" data-element_type=\"column\"><div class=\"elementor-column-wrap  elementor-element-populated\"><div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\"><div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-afdc093 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"afdc093\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\"><div class=\"elementor-widget-container\"><div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\"><p>If you were born outside of the United States to parents who were U.S. citizens, the birth is typically registered at the U.S. embassy or the consulate of the country where your parents were living at the time. If this is the case, you can request a copy of the document from the U.S. Department of State.<\/p><p>For those who were born on a military base in another country, the process is a bit different. Most of the time, you will need to get in touch with the hospital where you were born. This is the easiest way to get a copy of your birth certificate so you can complete your application.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-43cd3d6 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section elementor-top-section\" data-id=\"43cd3d6\" data-element_type=\"section\"><div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\"><div class=\"elementor-row\"><div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5cc11b9 elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column\" data-id=\"5cc11b9\" data-element_type=\"column\"><div class=\"elementor-column-wrap  elementor-element-populated\"><div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\"><div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1036181 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1036181\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\"><div class=\"elementor-widget-container\"><div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\"><h3>Proof of Citizenship<\/h3><p>We mentioned that you\u2019ll need to state your citizenship status in your benefits application. This is used in tandem with your age to decide whether you qualify for Social Security benefits. Those who have a United States birth certificate can use that document to prove citizenship. If this isn\u2019t available, a United States passport can be used instead.<\/p><p>Regardless of what documents you use to verify citizenship, they will need to be either the original document or a copy that has been certified by the appropriate agency. Notarized copies and photocopies won\u2019t be accepted, so you\u2019ll need to get access to an original or certified copy to complete your application.<\/p><h3>Social Security Card<\/h3><p>Your birth certificate will help the SSA verify your age and that you are a U.S. citizen, but you\u2019ll also need to share your Social Security number to acquire your retirement benefits. Those who have misplaced their Social Security card can replace it by visiting the Social Security website. Simply create an account and most states will allow you to request a new card online.<\/p><p>In states where you cannot request a card online, you\u2019ll need to request in another way. This will require sharing your mailing address within the United States. You\u2019ll also likely need to show proof of a state identification card or a driver\u2019s license. A driver\u2019s license is mandatory to get a new Social Security card in Delaware, Alaska, and Wisconsin.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d03fbab elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d03fbab\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3ef2aa8\" data-id=\"3ef2aa8\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-d316c21 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d316c21\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-80f2f16\" data-id=\"80f2f16\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-39af79c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"39af79c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>Identification Card<\/h3><p>To prove your identity with the SSA, there are several different documents that you can use. A state-issued non-driver identification card, a driver\u2019s license, or a United States passport will offer verification that you are who you say you are. If you don\u2019t have any of these documents, there are a few other options. You may be able to use an employee identification card, a military identification card, a health insurance card, or a school identification card.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-ef30726\" data-id=\"ef30726\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c9cb768 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"c9cb768\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"674\" src=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Screen-Shot-2023-06-15-at-2.44.37-PM.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-418\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Screen-Shot-2023-06-15-at-2.44.37-PM.png 678w, https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Screen-Shot-2023-06-15-at-2.44.37-PM-285x300.png 285w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d782c7f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d782c7f\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b1b33c7\" data-id=\"b1b33c7\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1cfc091 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1cfc091\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>Employment Records<\/h3><p>We mentioned earlier that you\u2019ll need to provide information about your employment to gain benefits. One of the most important documents to have for this is a copy of your W-2 forms for the year before you are applying. Self-employed individuals will need to provide a copy of their self-employment tax return from the previous year. Unlike many of the other required documents, this does not need to be an original.<\/p><h3>Records Pertaining to Spouses<\/h3><p>If you plan to apply for\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/guide-to-social-security-spousal-benefits\/\">spousal benefits<\/a>\u00a0from the Social Security Administration, there will be specific documents that need to be submitted. You will need to show that you are married before anything else. This can often be done through the use of your birth certificate, a photo ID, and a marriage license.\u00a0<\/p><p>Those who have lost their marriage license can ask for a replacement to meet these requirements. Get in touch with the register of deeds in the county where your marriage took place. If you plan to apply for\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/social-security-benefits-for-divorced-spouses\/\">spousal benefits from an ex-spouse<\/a>, you will need to have access to the appropriate divorce records. If these aren\u2019t available, replacements can be provided from the county offices where the divorce occurred.<\/p><p>For individuals applying for Social Security survivor benefits, you will need to show a copy of your spouse\u2019s death certificate. You will also need to provide this person\u2019s Social Security number. If you do not have the death certificate in your possession, the vital records office in the county of the death can provide you with one.<\/p><h3>Documentation of Military Service<\/h3><p>If you were a part of the military before 1968, the Social Security benefits application will ask for a copy of your military service papers. These could include your certification of discharge or release from active duty. While applying for benefits, you will likely need to send a few documents from above to the SSA. Keep in mind that all of these documents, whether photocopies or original records, will be returned to you.<\/p><h2>When to Get Started with Your Application<\/h2><p>Keep in mind that even if you are working on getting all the documents you need for your application, you can still begin the application process. The timing of the application can have an impact on how much you receive in benefits. For example, waiting until the full retirement age to apply will allow you to receive full benefits. Filing before this age can lead to a decrease in your monthly payment amount.<\/p><p>If your full retirement age is 67, but you choose to receive benefits starting at 62, you could receive up to 30% less in monthly payments. Those who wait will receive larger payments and that amount will grow until you reach the age of 70.\u00a0<\/p><p>However, remember that starting the process to get retirement benefits doesn\u2019t mean they will come immediately. It\u2019s recommended that you apply for benefits no later than two months before you want to start getting payments. All SSA retirement benefits are set up to be paid for the month prior. So, someone who applies in March might start getting benefits in April but won\u2019t be paid the amount until May.<\/p><h2>Applying for Social Security Benefits Online<\/h2><p>The first thing you will need to do to apply for benefits online is\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/secure.ssa.gov\/RIL\/SiView.action\">creating a Social Security account on the SSA website<\/a>. This account has a lot of great features and can be used to track your earnings over your lifetime based on reports made to the SSA. When you have an account, you can check in and see if all the information is correct. If not, you can notify the SAA of the mistake and show past tax returns or pay stubs to correct the error.<\/p><p>Once you have an online account and your documents are ready, you can start your retirement benefits application online. The process is simple and most people will have no issue getting through the application alone. However,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/social-security-office\/states\/\">your local Social Security office<\/a>\u00a0can provide help if it\u2019s needed. You can also reach out by telephone to the SSA for help if you have issues completing your application.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-25a1e2d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"25a1e2d\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f9c8771\" data-id=\"f9c8771\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a6ecd4a elementor-widget elementor-widget-template\" data-id=\"a6ecd4a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"template.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-template\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"196\" class=\"elementor elementor-196\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-339b45e0 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"339b45e0\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3f771e94\" data-id=\"3f771e94\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-44435407 elementor-cta--skin-classic elementor-animated-content elementor-bg-transform elementor-bg-transform-zoom-in elementor-widget elementor-widget-call-to-action\" data-id=\"44435407\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"call-to-action.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-cta\" href=\"https:\/\/simplywise.app.link\/Iv0wVANrvfb\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-content-item elementor-cta__content-item elementor-icon-wrapper elementor-cta__icon elementor-view-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"far fa-lightbulb\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-cta__title elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item\">DID YOU KNOW?<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__description elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tRetirement is 99% easier when your paperwork is organized. \n\nJoin 250,000+ Americans securely storing their important receipts, bills &amp; documents with the SimplyWise app.\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__button-wrapper elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item \">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-cta__button elementor-button elementor-size-md\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tGet the App\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Applying for&nbsp;Social Security retirement benefits&nbsp;might seem like a challenging process, but a little bit of preparation goes a long way. In fact, the Social Security Administration (SSA) office now allows applicants to apply online. If you\u2019ve already decided you\u2019re at the right age for retirement and you want to get the process started, the application [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":414,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-413","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Documents Needed To Apply for Social Security Retirement Benefits - SimplyWise Cost Estimator<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The documents needed to apply for Social Security retirement benefits include an original or certified copy of your birth certificate, as well as a copy of...\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/documents-needed-to-apply-for-social-security-retirement-benefits\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Documents Needed To Apply for Social Security Retirement Benefits - 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