Social Security Administration
Retirement, Survivors, and Disability Insurance
Important Information
SOCIAL SECURITY Street Address
City, State ZIP
Date: MONTH DD, YYYY BNC#: XXXXXXXXXXXXX-T
Claimant Name Street Address City, State ZIP
You may be thinking about applying for Social Security retirement benefits. You should
decide when to start receiving retirement benefits based on your individual and family
circumstances. This letter gives you information to help you make this important decision.
It also explains that the easiest way to apply is by going online at www.socialsecurity.gov/retireonline , our secure website.
Deciding When to Retire
Figuring out the best time to collect your retirement benefits is a personal decision.
In some cases, the month you choose could mean higher benefits for you and your family.
Your full retirement age is 66. At full retirement age, you can start receiving unreduced
benefits.
If you are full retirement age or older, you can work and receive your monthly
Social Security benefits, no matter how much you earn.
You may also decide to wait until a later age. If you choose to delay receiving your
benefits, your benefit will increase by 8 percent for each year you do not receive
benefits up to age 70. Your benefits will no longer increase when you reach age 70.
Please see the enclosed fact sheet for more information to help you decide when to
retire. You can also go to our Retirement Estimator at www.ssa.gov/estimator on the Internet.
When You Decide to Start Receiving Retirement Benefits
Once you decide on the best age to start collecting retirement benefits, you must
file an application. After you apply we can decide if you qualify for benefits. You
may apply for retirement benefits up to 3 months before the month you want your benefits
to start.
Why You Should Complete Your Application Online
Applying for retirement benefits online is secure, quick, and easy. You can apply
at www.socialsecurity.gov/retireonline on the Internet.
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You can save time by applying from home or another convenient location.
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You can apply now. You do not have to wait for an appointment with your local Social
Security office.
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We ensure the confidentiality of information you send through our website.
Other Ways to Apply
If you do not have Internet access, you can apply by phone or visiting your local
Social Security office . Please call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY number, 1-800-325-0778) between
7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, to schedule an appointment.
An appointment is not required, but if you call ahead and schedule one, it may reduce
the time you have to wait.
Suspect Social Security Fraud?
Please visit http://oig.ssa.gov/r or call the Inspector General's Fraud Hotline at 1-800-269-0271 (TTY 1-866-501-2101).
If You Have Any Questions
We invite you to visit our website at www.socialsecurity.gov on the Internet to find general information about Social Security. If you have any
specific questions, you may call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213, or call your local
Social Security office at __________. We can answer most questions over the phone.
If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call our TTY number, 1-800-325-0778. You
can also write or visit any Social Security office. The office that serves your area
is located at:
Street Address City, State ZIP
If you do call or visit an office, please have this letter with you. It will help
us answer your questions. Also, if you plan to visit an office, you may call ahead
to make an appointment. This will help us serve you more quickly when you arrive at
the office.
Social Security Administration
Enclosure: Retirement Information for Medicare Beneficiaries Fact Sheet