How to get info on Social Security benefits

You’ve worked hard your whole life, and receiving your Social Security benefits should be the icing on the cake at your retirement party. We’re working hard to make it as quick and seamless as possible for you to apply for benefits from Social Security.

Simply go to socialsecurity.gov/applyforbenefits to get started. Through our safe and secure website, you can apply for retirement benefits, spousal benefits, Medicare, disability benefits and more. If you prefer, you can apply in person at your Social Security office or by telephone at 800-7721213 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. weekdays to schedule an appointment.

You should also call us to schedule an appointment if you wish to apply for certain family benefits, including those for surviving spouses and children, divorced spouses and dependent children, and parents of beneficiaries.

After you’ve applied for benefits, you can securely and quickly check the status of a pending claim through an online “my So- cial Security” account you can create at socialsecurity. gov/myaccount.

You can also use “my Social Security” to view estimates of potential retire- ment benefits and potential disability benefits and how much your loved ones could receive in family or survivor benefits.

To learn more about our programs and online services, please go to socialsecurity.gov.