November 13, 2024
Once you have determined when you want your benefits to begin (age 62, full retirement age, or delayed age) and are ready to apply, go to the Social Security Administration website https://www.ssa.gov/apply. You will need a my Social Security account https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/, login.gov or id.me account to login and apply. The website walks you through the fairly easy online process. Review this file https://www.ssa.gov/hlp/isba/10/isba-checklist.pdf to ensure you have gathered all the documents and information you will need.
There are three (3) milestones to consider for starting to collect your Social Security payments: When you turn age 62, at full retirement age, or at a delayed age. From a Social Security standpoint, you can start getting benefits as early as age 62, which would be the lowest payment possible of your SS benefit. Or you can delay retirement up to age 70 for your maximum monthly benefit amount. Between these ages you have a fully qualified retirement age, which is different for everyone based on the year you were born. Which of these options you choose is an individual choice you must make based on your situation. All have pros and cons. Here is an excellent article from SSA on their website The Best Age for YOU to Retire https://blog.ssa.gov/the-best-age-for-you-to-retire/
Yes, when you turn 62. BUT, there is a penalty if you have not yet reached your Full Retirement age. Not an actual "penalty", but you will pay more into SS than what SS pays you, until you reach your fully qualified age (66 or 67 usually), which means collecting SS while you work BEFORE reaching your Fully Qualified age basically nullifies, or worse, what SS pays you. So, rule of thumb - do not sign up for SS until your fully qualified age if you are still working.
A non US citizen can apply for a Social Security Number if they have a U.S. mailing address to include APO, FPO, & DPO addresses, which most retirees in Korea do have, so the spouse does also. You can start your Social Security number (SSN) card application online at https://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/. Once you've submitted your request, contact the SSA office in the Philippines for additional guidance in completing your application.
