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Answering FAQs on Social Security Retirement Benefits

Mesriani_Law_Group | Nov 22, 2010 |

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Aging can affect you in many ways. Aside from suffering from slower reflexes and different health problems, your age may also affect your ability to work and earn money. If your age already prohibits you from working, you may then be entitled to apply for Social Security retirement benefits.

Here are different Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) which can help you understand the importance of receiving retirement benefits:

Q: How can I apply for Social Security retirement benefits?

A: You can apply by calling the agency or visiting its website. If you want, you can personally go to a Social Security office that is near you.

When applying for retirement benefits, you will need to provide the following information and documents to the agency:

Birth certificate
Social Security number
Military discharge papers (if you have served in the military)
Self-employment tax return or W-2 forms for the previous year

Q: How will I become eligible for Social Security retirement benefits?

A: Before you become eligible to receive retirement benefits, you should first earn enough work credits. These credits are earned every time you pay your Social Security taxes during the time when you are still employed.

The number of credits which should be earned greatly depend on your year of birth. For example, people who were born in 1929 should have at least 40 credits, which is gathered by working for 10 years.

Q: What happens if I retire before reaching my full retirement age?

A: You will be entitled to receive disability benefits once you reach 62-years-old. If you decided to retire before reaching your full retirement age, the amount of benefits you will receive from the agency will be reduced.

Q: What is the most appropriate retirement age for me?

A: You have the right to choose when you will retire. However, before your do, it is advisable that you inform Social Security about it.

Q: What should I do if my application for Social Security retirement benefits was rejected?

A: if Social Security turned down your application, you can ask for an appeal by submitting a written request within 60 days after you were given the rejection letter.

Here are the four levels of appeal:

1. Reconsideration

2. Hearing which is to be conducted by an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)

3. Review which is to be conducted by the Appeals Council

4. Filing a case with the federal court

If you want to increase your chances of reversing Social Security's initial decision, do not hesitate to seek legal assistance from a Los Angeles disability lawyer.