How to Get Social Security in Portland, Oregon

Americans can begin to collect Social Security retirement benefits from as young as 62 years old. Collecting benefits before your full retirement age, however, will result in a reduced monthly benefit payment. Full retirement age varies depending on your birth year and ranges from 65, for those born before 1937, to 67, for those born after 1960. Benefit amounts are based on your average earnings over your life and are generally calculated based on your 35 highest-earning years. In most cases, you must have worked for at least 10 years to qualify for Social Security benefits.

In Person

• 1

  Gather your necessary documents.You must present certain documents when you apply for Social Security retirement benefits: your original birth certificate and, if applicable, copies of your naturalization papers, military discharge papers and your most recent W-2 forms or self-employment tax return. You may also want to bring your bank account information, so that you can set up direct deposit of your benefits into your bank account.

• 2

  Call the Portland Social Security Administration office to make an appointment. This is not required, but it can help you save time and avoid a lengthy wait. The telephone number for the Portland office is 800-772-1213.

• 3

  Go to the Portland Social Security Administration office. Bring all of your relevant documents with you when you go. The office is located at:

  1538 SW Yamhill St.

  Portland, OR 97205

• 4

  Meet with an agent to apply for your benefits. The agent will ask you a number of questions about your personal history, residency, marital status, military service, criminal record, employment history and whether you have received any type of government benefits in the past.

Online

• 1

  Go to the U.S. Social Security Administration website. You can find a link to this in the Resources section of this article.

• 2

  Click on "Retirement." You can find this option on the bar at the top of the home page.

• 3

  Click on "Apply for retirement benefits."

• 4

  Click on "Use our Social Security Retirement Benefit Application."

• 5

  Complete the online application process. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the application. The process generally takes between 10 and 30 minutes, and you will need to provide specific information on your personal and employment history. This information includes you and your spouse's dates and places of birth and Social Security numbers, as well as your employment income for the past two years.

• 6

  Send any requested documents to the Portland Social Security Administration office. Once you have completed your online application, you will be informed of what documents you need to send. Requested documents may include your birth certificate, citizenship papers or W-2 forms. The mailing address for the Portland office is:

  Portland Social Security Administration Office

  1538 SW Yamhill St.

  Portland, OR 97205