The Things to Prepare for when Applying for SS Retirement Benefits

As with any other thing we have to accomplish in life, it is best to be properly prepared before filing your application for retirement benefits under the Social Security system.

Here are some of the more important things you need to consider as part of your preparation:

1. Once you go to the Social Security Office to file your application for retirement benefits, remember to be prepared since, more likely than not, you will undergo an application interview.

This simply implies that when you apply, you should prepare important documents such as your birth certificate and have it certified in order that the process of your retirement application will run more smoothly.

In addition, if you apply with the indication that you are a naturalized citizen or a permanent resident of the country, you will have to provide a birth certificate that is certified from the country where you were born.

1.1. If you do not know it yet, a "certified birth record" is a significant document that has an official stamp or a raised seal. Your birth record should come from the government office that has authority over the birth records of your birthplace.

A knowledgeable and well-experienced social security retirement lawyer would advise you against bringing or attaching a complimentary copy of your birth certificate. This document is usually given to your parents by the hospital where you were born.

The Social Security Administration (http://www.ssa.gov/) does not honor these birth certificates issued by hospitals as they can be altered too easily.

1.2. Most importantly, do not fall into the error of bringing just a copy of your certified birth certificate or record. The Social Security retirement claims representative, during the interview, needs to see the actual certified copy of your birth record.

However, if for some reason you fail to secure your certified birth record, the representative for Social Security retirement claims who interviewed you would give a list of evidence sources that you can produce as acceptable alternatives to your birth record. This will serve as the main evidence and establish your birth date.

1.3 For naturalized United States citizens, you will be required to bring with you the naturalization papers for the application interview.

For legal alien residents, a proof of alien status should be brought.

Remember that without the necessary documents to support your social security retirement benefits claim, your application would not be processed. These are essential documents that are strong proof of your citizenship or legal status even as an alien for you to be awarded with Social Security benefits, not only of retirement.

2. After you are done with the SSA representative's interview, you will then be requested to produce other additional evidence. These you should supply within the period of 30 days starting from your application date. If you fail to furnish the other requirements, your claim might be denied.

If you encounter troubles in acquiring the needed information, call your claims representative or have your social security retirement lawyer deal with it for you.

Generally, as early as possible before your retirement, obtain a proof of your birth already. Furthermore, you have to consult with a lawyer specializing in social security benefits program in order to know what to prepare before filing your applications.