How to Apply for Social Security Retirement Benefits in 2027, Step by Step

Last updated: November 2, 2026. Figures are from the Social Security Administration's 2027 announcements. Confirm details with the SSA before you apply.

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You can apply for Social Security retirement benefits online at SSA.gov/apply, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at a local office. You can start benefits as early as age 62, and the SSA lets you apply up to four months before the month you want your first benefit. Full retirement age is 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later.

2027 retirement numbers at a glance

Cost-of-living adjustment (COLA)	3.6%, starting with January 2027 benefits
Earliest age to start	62 (reduced benefit)
Full retirement age	67 if born in 1960 or later
Earnings for one work credit	$1,970 (up to 4 credits a year)
Earnings limit before full retirement age	$25,560 a year ($1 withheld for every $2 above it)
Earnings limit in the year you reach full retirement age	$67,920, counting months before that birthday ($1 withheld for every $3 above it)

Source: SSA 2027 COLA Fact Sheet and Federal Register notice of October 26, 2026.

Is this the right guide for you? This page covers Social Security retirement benefits, which are based on your work record. If you are 65 or older, blind or disabled and have very limited income and savings, you may also qualify for Supplemental Security Income. See our SSI Benefits 2027 guide for payment amounts and rules.

1. Check That You Are Ready to Apply

• Work credits: most people need 40 credits, about 10 years of work, to qualify for retirement benefits. In 2027 you earn one credit for each $1,970 of covered earnings, up to four a year.
• Your full retirement age: it is 67 if you were born in 1960 or later, and between 66 and 67 if you were born from 1955 to 1959.
• Your estimate: sign in to my Social Security to see your earnings record and estimated benefit at different ages from 62 to 70. Fix any missing earnings before you apply.

2. Choose How to Apply

• Online (fastest for most people): go to SSA.gov/apply. You do not need an appointment.
• By phone: call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time.
• In person: find your office with the SSA office locator and call ahead for an appointment.

3. Documents and Information to Have Ready

• Your Social Security number and your birth certificate
• Your W-2 forms or self-employment tax return for last year
• U.S. military discharge papers if you served in the military before 1968
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status if you were not born in the United States
• Names, Social Security numbers and birth dates of your current spouse and any former spouses, with marriage and divorce dates
• Your bank's routing number and your account number for direct deposit

If you apply online, the SSA shows a list of any documents it needs to see at the end of the application. It asks for originals or certified copies and returns them to you. If a document is missing, the SSA can help you get it, so do not delay your application for it.

Optional: keeping your tax forms, birth certificate and SSA letters in one place makes the interview and follow-up requests easier. You do not need any product to apply.
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4. Step by Step: How the Online Application Works

1. Create or sign in to your my Social Security account. Starting a new application at SSA.gov/apply sends you to this sign-in, and you agree to the Benefits Application Terms of Service.
2. Select "Start a New Application." If you already began one, choose to finish your existing application instead.
3. Answer questions about yourself and your family, including your birth date and place, current and former spouses and any children who may qualify for benefits on your record.
4. Enter your work history: employers, self-employment and military service for this year and last year. If you apply between September and December, you will also be asked to estimate next year's earnings.
5. Choose the month you want benefits to start. This is the most important decision in the form, because claiming before full retirement age permanently lowers your monthly amount (see the next section).
6. Add direct deposit details so payments go straight to your bank account.
7. Review and submit. You cannot reopen the application after you submit it, so check every answer first. Save your confirmation number and the list of documents the SSA may ask you to send to your local office.

5. When to Apply and When to Start Benefits

• Apply up to four months early. Applying is separate from the start month you choose, so you can file in advance and still pick a later start.
• Starting at 62 means a smaller check for life. If your full retirement age is 67, starting at 62 pays about 70% of your full benefit.
• Waiting past full retirement age raises your benefit for every month you delay, up to age 70.
• Working while you collect: before full retirement age, the SSA withholds $1 for every $2 you earn above $25,560 in 2027. In the year you reach full retirement age, it withholds $1 for every $3 above $67,920, counting only months before your birthday month. Withheld amounts are credited back in a higher monthly benefit once you reach full retirement age.

Our guide on when to claim Social Security at 62, full retirement age or 70 walks through the trade-offs in more detail.

6. Do Not Forget Medicare at 65

Retirement benefits and Medicare are separate decisions. The SSA advises signing up for Medicare three months before your 65th birthday even if you are not ready to retire. If you are already receiving Social Security when you turn 65, you are usually enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B automatically. See Medicare.gov for your enrollment window.

7. After You Apply

• Respond quickly to any SSA request for documents or more information.
• Check your application status in your my Social Security account.
• Watch your mail for the SSA decision letter, and keep copies of everything you submit.
• Report changes to your address, bank account or work.
• Review your COLA notice each year. For 2027, benefits rise 3.6% starting in January.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for Social Security retirement if I am still working?

Yes. You can apply and keep working. Before full retirement age, the earnings limit ($25,560 in 2027) may reduce your payments. After you reach full retirement age, your earnings no longer reduce your benefit.

How far ahead can I apply?

Up to four months before the month you want your benefits to start.

Is Social Security retirement the same as SSI?

No. Retirement benefits are based on your work record. SSI is a separate needs-based program for people 65 or older, blind or disabled with limited income and resources. Some people qualify for both.

Related Guides

• When to Claim Social Security at 62, Full Retirement Age or 70 (2027 Guide)
• Social Security Taxes and Earnings Limits for 2027 and What Changes (Updated October 2026)
• Social Security COLA 2027 and the 3.6% Increase Explained (Updated October 2026)
• SSI Benefits 2027 With a $1,029 Monthly Payment, Eligibility and How to Apply (Updated October 2026)

Sources

• SSA: 2027 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Fact Sheet
• Federal Register: Cost-of-Living Increase and Other Determinations for 2027
• SSA: How do I apply for Social Security retirement benefits?
• SSA publication: Retirement Benefits
• SSA publication: How to Apply Online for Retirement, Spouses, or Medicare Benefits
• SSA Form SSA-1: Information You Need to Apply for Retirement Benefits or Medicare
• SSA: Exempt Amounts Under the Earnings Test

This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. Aid Hub is not affiliated with the Social Security Administration. Always apply through official .gov websites.