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Social Security Administration unveils new online retirement application
(Daily Oklahoman, The Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Jan. 6--The Social Security Administration today unveiled a new online retirement application that 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 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 people 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."
Social Security officials released a video today 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 also is available online that can help people estimate benefits they will receive if they retire at various ages.
To see more of The Oklahoman, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.newsok.com.
Copyright (c) 2009, The Oklahoman, Oklahoma City
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
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