Social Security Administration Opens Online Service In Anticipation Of Retirement Applications Surge From Baby Boomers

January 7, 2009 7:11 a.m. EST

Manhattan, NY (AHN) - The Social Security Administration is taking advantage of the familiarity of Baby Boomers with information technology applications by launching on Tuesday an online service where applications can be filed electronically.

By filing their applications online, retirees would cut their travel cost and save time since the process takes only 15 minutes, said Social Security Commissioner Michael Astrue.

The administration will call retirement applicants if additional information will be needed. If an application has been accepted or rejected, the Social Security will email the decision.

The portal socialsecurity.gov also has a calculator to help the applicant estimate how much benefits he will get. The earliest a worker could retire is at age 62. Even non-retirees could use the other online services offered by the administration such as applications for disability benefit and replacement of a Medicare card.

Sitcom actor Patty Duke was featured in the Social Security advertisement to launch the online service. Duke, an award winning actress, was the star of the 1960s sitcom "The Patty Duke Show" which had the actress in a dual role as cousins Patty and Cathy Lane. Duke, at age 62, will be eligible for retirement.

Astrue estimates 10,000 baby boomers will be eligible to retire daily for the next 20 years, which is expected to result in a surge of retirement applications.