Tips for deciding when to apply for Social Security benefits

The workings of the U.S. Social Security Administration can be clouded by jargon and bureaucracy. Check these sites for answers to big questions and how to deal with those bureaucrats.

The retirement “estimator” at Social Security’s SSA.gov site will give you a ballpark number for what you can expect in those benefits at retirement. www.ssa.gov/estimator

You can begin receiving Social Security payments at 62, but your checks will be bigger if you wait to a later age. tinyurl.com/Rethinking62

Legal Q&A forum Avvo.com has this older post on “rules for dealing with the Social Security Administration.” It includes tips on when to call the administration to avoid the longest waits. tinyurl.com/SSATips

More tips for going mano-a-mano with the Social Security Administration are available from the office of Illinois Legal Aid. tinyurl.com/SSAAdvice