What Do I Need to File for Social Security?

What Do I Need to File for Social Security?

You’ve worked your entire life for this moment. You’ve watched every paycheck contain a deduction. The time has finally arrived to start receiving what’s yours, but what do you even need in order to begin collecting Social Security? Here’s what the government says they might ask you for:

• Your Social Security card or a record of your number.
• Your original birth certificate, a copy certified by the issuing agency, or other proof of your age. They must see the original document(s), or copies certified by the agency that issued them. They cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies.
• If you were not born in the U.S., proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status. They must see the original document(s), or copies certified by the agency that issued them. They cannot accept documents if they have expired. They cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies.
• A copy of your U.S. military service paper(s) if you served before 1968. A photocopy is acceptable.
• A copy of your W-2 form(s) and/or self-employment tax return for last year. A photocopy is acceptable.

Identity Verification Questions

Note that in most cases it is possible to apply online at www.ssa.gov.  You will first need to create your my Social Security account, which will require answering a series of identity verification questions. You’ll also need to know:

• Date and place of birth
• Name of current spouse, Name of prior spouse (if the marriage lasted more than 10 years or ended in death), Spouse(s) date of birth and SSN (optional), Beginning and ending dates of marriage(s), Place of marriage(s) (city, state or country, if married outside the U.S.)
• Type of duty and branch of US Military Service and Service period dates
• Employer Details for Current Year and Prior 2 Years (not self-employment). You can view your Social Security Statement online at socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. You’ll also need employer name and employment start and end dates
• Self-Employment Details for Current Year and Prior 2 Years. You can view your Social Security Statement online at socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. You’ll also need business type and total net income
• Direct Deposit information for your domestic bank (USA) (Account type and number, Bank routing number)

If you’re unsuccessful in filing online or failed to pass the security questions because you couldn’t remember the street address of your first apartment post-college, there’s still hope. Call your local office and make an appointment to come into the office and do it the old-fashioned way. The national toll-free number for Social Security is 1-800-772-1213 if you have any questions.

Have more questions? Contact Us

Missie Beach, CFP®, CDFA®
Senior Financial Advisor