New Social Security site helps streamline process
AGENCY BRACES FOR RETIRING BABY BOOMERS
BY RANDY ELLIS
Comments 
0
Published: January 7, 2009
A screenshot from a video released by the Social Security Administration shows actress Patty Duke promoting the use of online applications.
The Social Security Administration on Tuesday unveiled a new online retirement application officials say can be filled out in as little as 15 minutes.
The greatly streamlined application is designed to accommodate baby boomers who will become eligible for retirement at the rate of 10,000 a day for the next 20 years, said Larry G. Jones, public affairs specialist for the agency. The new application is available on the Internet at www.socialsecurity.gov. Retirees have been able to apply online for Social Security benefits for three or four years, but earlier online application forms were somewhat confusing and often took 45 minutes to an hour to complete, Jones said. "The new application is a huge improvement,” he said. Applicants are asked four or five preliminary questions. Based on their answers, the rest of their application forms are customized so they don’t have to answer nearly as many questions, Jones said. If confusion arises, applicants can click on "more info” links to hopefully get answers. They can also stop the application at any time and pick up later where they left off by clicking on a "sign off, finish this later” link. When applicants have completed the form, they can simply click the "sign now” button to submit their applications, he said. "There are no paper forms to sign, and usually no additional documents are required,” the agency said in a news release. "If more information is needed, Social Security will contact you.”
Star helps effort
Social Security officials have released a video featuring actress Patty Duke to help promote the use of online applications. Duke turned 62 in December.
"Social Security officials consider it crucial to persuade more people to apply online because about 80 million baby boomers will be eligible to retire in the next 20 years,” Jones said.
A retirement estimator on the site also is available online that can help people estimate benefits they will receive if they retire at various ages.
Prev
Something to say about this topic? Submit a Letter to the Editor online
Thank you for joining our conversations on newsok. We encourage your discussions but ask that you stay within the bounds of our terms and conditions. Please help us by reporting comments that violate these guidelines. To review our rules of engagement, go to Commenting and posting policy.
Log in below or sign up (it's free).