Can I still do SS office walk-in for April retirement start or must I schedule appointment?

Apply online! It's WAY faster and you don't need an appointment. I did mine last year and it took about 25 minutes. The SSA website walks you through everything step by step. You'll need your bank account info for direct deposit, and they might ask about your work history, but it's pretty straightforward. If you absolutely need to go in person, most offices require appointments now, but some do still allow limited walk-ins for certain services. Call your local office directly to check their specific policy.

i went last month without appointment. waited 2 hours but they saw me. bring drivers license, ss card, birth certificate, latest w2 or tax return, and bank info for direct deposit. good luck

The SSA has been transitioning to an appointment-based system, but policies can vary by office. Here's what you should know: 1. Online application is generally the fastest option and yes, you can select your start month. The online application explicitly asks when you want benefits to begin. 2. If you prefer in-person: - Call your local office directly to inquire about their walk-in policy - The national appointment line (1-800-772-1213) typically has a 2-3 week wait for appointments - Some offices reserve morning hours for walk-ins and afternoons for appointments 3. Documents needed: - Original birth certificate or passport - Social Security card - Photo ID (driver's license) - Most recent W-2 or tax return - Direct deposit information - Marriage certificate (if relevant) 4. Applying for April start: As long as you apply before April 30th, you can request April as your start month. Your first payment would arrive in May. If time is a concern, online is definitely your best bet.

My cousin applied online last week for his retirement and he said it was really easy! I'm still 5 years away from filing but I'm taking notes from everyone's experiences here. Good luck with your application!

The SSA appointment system is TERRIBLE. I tried getting an appointment last month and the earliest they had was 6 WEEKS away. By the time I got in, I had missed my preferred start month and had to delay my retirement by a whole month!!! Their phone system is even worse - I was on hold for 3 hours before getting disconnected. TWICE. They're basically forcing everyone to apply online now, which is ridiculous for seniors who aren't comfortable with computers or don't have reliable internet.

It doesn't collect any personal info - it just connects you to SSA faster. You still talk directly with the actual Social Security representatives. It just helps you bypass the hold times. I was skeptical too but desperate after trying for weeks to get through.

Regarding your question about fixing mistakes on an online application - yes, you can absolutely call SSA to make corrections if needed. When you complete the online application, you'll receive a confirmation number. Keep this handy as you'll need to reference it when calling. If you notice a mistake immediately, you can call the main SSA number (1-800-772-1213). For anything you catch later, you can either call or handle it during your follow-up interview (SSA sometimes schedules these after online applications). The online system also allows you to save your application and come back to it if you need time to gather information or want to review before submitting.

my aunt tried to apply in january and the website kept crashing on her lol. she finally went to the library and used their computers and it worked fine. might be worth trying if your home internet is spotty

@system_critic maybe rules different in different states? i definitely walked in to hartford office in february. but yeah they said they prefer appointments now

Update: I applied online last night and it was actually pretty easy! The system let me select April as my start month. I had to upload scans of my documents, but that wasn't too difficult. Thanks everyone for steering me in the right direction!

Congratulations on getting your application submitted! That's such a relief when you're worried about timing. Just wanted to add that when SSA calls you for that verification interview, they'll typically ask about your work history and might need clarification on some of the information you provided. Don't worry if you don't remember exact dates - they have access to your earnings record and can help fill in any gaps. The call usually takes about 15-20 minutes and they're pretty helpful about walking you through anything you're unsure about.

Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this process recently! I applied online in December for a February start and it was surprisingly smooth. The website saves your progress automatically, so you don't have to worry about losing your work if you need to step away. One tip - when they ask about your work history, don't stress if you can't remember every single employer or exact dates. They have your earnings record and will help verify during the follow-up call. The most important thing is getting your application in before the end of March so you can still get that April start date. Also, make sure your bank account info is exactly right for direct deposit - any errors there can cause delays in your first payment. Good luck with your retirement!