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USSSARev. 02-2024

Official form guide

Form SSA-1-BK: Application for Retirement Insurance Benefits

Applies for Social Security retirement benefits. Workers may begin receiving reduced benefits as early as age 62, or full benefits at full retirement age (66-67 depending on birth year).

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Form Overview

SSA Form SSA-1-BK - Application for Retirement Insurance Benefits

Applies for Social Security retirement benefits. Workers may begin receiving reduced benefits as early as age 62, or full benefits at full retirement age (66-67 depending on birth year).

An application to begin monthly Social Security retirement benefit payments.

Risk Radar

Scan points
  • 1Starting benefits too early — benefits taken before full retirement age are permanently reduced.
  • 2Not considering the break-even point — if you wait to collect, you get more per month but fewer years of payments.
  • 3Not checking your earnings record for errors before filing — errors in your SSA record can reduce your benefit.

Plain English

File this form when you are ready to start collecting your Social Security retirement benefits.

Submission Date

  • Filing date: You can apply up to 4 months before you want payments to start. The earliest you can receive benefits is age 62.
  • Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
  • Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.

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Glossary Terms

early

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Field map

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8 fields

Personal Info

3 items

Full Name

Your full legal name.

Requiredtext
Social Security Number

Your SSN.

Requiredssn
Date of Birth

Your date of birth.

Requireddate

Benefits

2 items

Desired Start Date

The month and year you want benefits to begin.

Requireddate
Current Work Status

Whether you are currently working and your expected earnings.

Requiredtext

Banking

1 items

Direct Deposit Information

Bank account routing and account numbers for direct deposit.

Requiredtext

Family

1 items

Spouse Information

Spouse's name and SSN if applying for spousal benefits or if spouse may be eligible.

text

Signature

1 items

Signature

Your signature.

Requiredsignature

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Quick Facts

Workers aged 62 or older who have earned enough Social Security credits (40 credits / 10 years of work).
An application to begin monthly Social Security retirement benefit payments.
You can apply up to 4 months before you want payments to start. The earliest you can receive benefits is age 62.
Apply online at ssa.gov (fastest), by phone, or at your local SSA office.
Social Security retirement benefits provide a guaranteed monthly income in retirement based on your lifetime earnings.
Apply online at ssa.gov/retirement for the quickest processing. Have your Social Security number, birth certificate, and bank information ready.

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Copyright & Licensing - US Government Forms

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Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
Verify current license terms with the source agency before reuse outside this platform.

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