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The Social Security Administration (SSA) on Tuesday unveiled a new online retirement benefits application program, a move that is intended to help the federal agency deal with the expected flood of Social Security enrollment as "baby boomers" enter retirement and become eligible to receive benefits.

The new online application process asks retirement benefit enrollees a series of questions about their work history and their financial needs, lets applicants stop and restart the application process at any time, offers helpful answers to questions that may arise during the application process, and allows users to submit the application electronically without signing any forms. "Social Security?s new online retirement application can be completed in as little as 15 minutes from the comfort of your home or office . . . Filing online means there?s no need to drive to a local Social Security office or wait for an appointment with a Social Security representative," Commissioner of Social Security Michael J. Astrue declared in a News Release announcing the online application program.

The huge number of "baby boomers" (the first post-World War II generation) at or near the Social Security eligibility age of 62 means that over the next 20 years, up to 10,000 people per day will become eligible to receive Social Security retirement benefits, according to the SSA.

• SSA News Release: The 'Retirement Online' Campaign (SSA.gov)
• Online Social Security Retirement Benefit Application (SSA.gov)
• SSA Video Starring Patty Duke: Applying for Benefits Online (SSA.gov)
• Baltimore Sun: Social Security Launches Online Sign-Up for Benefits
• Social Security Retirement Benefits Calculator (SSA.gov)
• Social Security FAQ (FindLaw)
• Filing for Social Security Benefits (FindLaw)
• Social Security and Retirement: Articles, FAQ, and More (FindLaw)