You need to contact Social Security directly to start receiving payments

Social Security does not automatically send you money when you turn 62 or reach full retirement age. You must contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) and go through their process to begin receiving payments. The SSA will review your work history, calculate your benefit amount based on your age and earnings record, and set up your payments.

You can start this process online, by phone, or in person at a local Social Security office. The method you choose affects how long the process takes and what documents you need to have ready. Most people complete the initial steps in one visit or call, though the SSA may request additional documents afterward.

Key Takeaways

  • You must contact Social Security yourself — the agency will not contact you or start payments without your request.
  • You can begin the process online at ssa.gov, by calling 1-800-772-1213, or by visiting your local Social Security office in person.
  • You will need your Social Security number, birth certificate, proof of citizenship or legal residency, and tax returns or W-2 forms showing your work history.
  • The SSA typically processes requests within two to four weeks, though some cases take longer if they need to verify your work record.
  • You can start payments as early as age 62, but your monthly amount will be smaller than if you wait until full retirement age or later.

Starting the process online at ssa.gov

The fastest route for most people is the SSA's online portal at ssa.gov. You can create a my Social Security account and submit your request without leaving home. The online form asks for your personal information, work history, and the date you want payments to begin. You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, and email address to set up the account.

Once you submit the online form, the SSA sends you a message through your account within a few days asking for documents to verify your identity and work record. You can upload documents directly through the portal or mail them to your local office. The SSA will contact you by phone or email if they need clarification on anything you submitted.

Online submission works best if your work history is straightforward — you worked for employers who reported your earnings to Social Security, and you have not lived outside the United States for extended periods. If your situation is more complex, calling or visiting an office may be faster because you can explain your circumstances directly.

Calling Social Security to request benefits

You can call the SSA's national number at 1-800-772-1213 to request benefits over the phone. The wait time varies by time of day and season, but calling early in the week and early in the morning usually means shorter waits. A representative will ask you the same questions as the online form: your personal information, when you want payments to start, and details about your work history.

During the call, the SSA representative will tell you what documents you need to send or bring in. They will give you a case number and explain the next steps. You can mail documents to your local office or, in some cases, upload them through your my Social Security account after the call.

Phone requests take about the same time as online requests — typically two to four weeks from submission to first payment — but you get when ready confirmation that your request was received and recorded.

Visiting a Social Security office in person

You can walk into your local Social Security office and request benefits in person. Find your nearest office at ssa.gov/locator or by calling 1-800-772-1213. Some offices accept walk-ins, but many now require you to schedule an appointment in advance. You can book an appointment online or by phone.

Bring your Social Security number, birth certificate, proof of citizenship or legal residency (passport, naturalization papers, or green card), and tax returns or W-2 forms from the past two years. If you have them, bring your marriage certificate and divorce decrees if you have been married more than once, because the SSA may need these to verify your work record or check whether you are due spousal or survivor benefits.

An in-person appointment usually takes 30 to 45 minutes. The representative will review your documents, answer questions about when you want payments to start, and explain what happens next. If you are missing a document, the representative can tell you exactly what to send and where to send it.

Documents you will need to have ready

The SSA requires proof of your identity and citizenship or legal residency status. A valid passport, driver's license, or state ID card serves as proof of identity. For citizenship or residency, bring your birth certificate, passport, naturalization certificate, or green card. If you were born outside the United States, bring your birth certificate and proof that you have been a lawful resident for at least five years.

You will also need to prove your work history. The SSA has a record of your earnings if you worked for employers who reported your wages, but they may ask you to verify this with tax returns, W-2 forms, or 1099 forms from the past two years. If you were self-employed, bring your tax returns for the years you worked.

If you have been married more than once, bring all marriage certificates and divorce decrees. If you are currently married, bring your spouse's birth certificate and Social Security number. The SSA uses this information to determine whether you or your spouse may be due additional benefits based on the other person's work record.

How the SSA calculates your monthly payment

Your monthly benefit amount depends on three things: your lifetime earnings record, your age when you request benefits, and whether you have worked long enough to be due benefits at all. The SSA requires you to have worked and paid Social Security taxes for at least 10 years (40 quarters) to receive retirement benefits on your own work record.

The SSA calculates your benefit based on your 35 highest-earning years. If you worked fewer than 35 years, they count zeros for the missing years, which lowers your benefit. Your benefit is larger if you wait to start payments — if you start at 62, your monthly amount is roughly 30 percent lower than if you wait until your full retirement age, which ranges from 66 to 67 depending on your birth year.

You can see an estimate of your benefit before you request it. Log into your my Social Security account at ssa.gov, and the site will show you an estimate based on your current earnings record. This estimate updates each year and shows what you would receive if you started at 62, at full retirement age, or at 70.

What happens after you submit your request

After you submit your request online, by phone, or in person, the SSA will review your work record and verify the information you provided. If your work history is straightforward, this takes one to two weeks. If the SSA needs to verify earnings from years ago or if there are gaps in your record, it may take three to four weeks.

The SSA will contact you if they need additional documents or have questions about your process. They will call you at the phone number you provided or send you a message through your my Social Security account. Respond to their request within the timeframe they give you — usually 10 days — to avoid delays.

Once the SSA approves your request, they will send you a notice by mail explaining your benefit amount and when your first payment will arrive. Your first payment typically arrives within one to two weeks after approval. You can choose to receive payments by direct deposit to your bank account, which is faster and more find than receiving a check by mail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my mind after I request benefits?

Yes, but only within a limited window. If you change your mind within 12 months of starting benefits, you can withdraw your request and stop receiving payments. You must repay all the benefits you received. After 12 months, you cannot withdraw your request, but you can suspend your benefits at full retirement age or later and let them grow until you restart them at a higher amount.

What if I do not have my birth certificate?

You can request a replacement birth certificate from your state's vital records office. The SSA can sometimes work with other documents like a passport or naturalization certificate if you do not have your birth certificate yet, but you will eventually need to provide it. Ask the SSA representative what documents they can accept temporarily while you obtain your birth certificate.

How long does it take to receive my first payment?

From the time you submit your request to your first payment, the process usually takes four to six weeks. The SSA needs one to two weeks to review your documents, one to two weeks to approve your request, and one to two weeks for your first payment to arrive. If the SSA needs to verify information or requests additional documents, it may take longer.

Can I request benefits if I am still working?

Yes, you can request benefits at any age, but if you are under full retirement age and still working, your benefits will be reduced. The SSA reduces your payment by one dollar for every two dollars you earn above a certain amount, which changes each year. Once you reach full retirement age, you can work and receive your full benefit with no reduction.

What if my work history includes years I worked outside the United States?

Work you did outside the United States typically does not count toward Social Security benefits unless you were working for a U.S. employer or the U.S. government. Tell the SSA representative about any work you did outside the country, and they will review your specific situation. You may be due benefits from the country where you worked instead of or in addition to U.S. Social Security.