Thursday, September 20, 2007 7:14 PM CDT

Record numbers of new retirees apply for Social Security benefits in the coming years. Why?

This January the first wave of the 77 million strong baby-boomer generation will turn 62 and become eligible for reduced Social Security retirement benefits. That means that about 10,000 people per day will be newly eligible to apply for benefits.

Social Security wants the experience for each of them to be as convenient as possible, so we are encouraging people to be aware of the benefits of filing online.

If you are ready to retire, and if the prospect of waiting in line at a government office does not appeal to you, then save yourself a trip and consider the advantages of applying for Social Security retirement benefits online.

The Social Security website makes the process easy and convenient

Just logon to your computer and visit our website at www.socialsecurity.gov/applytoretire. Here you can apply online for your retirement benefits from the comfort of your own home or office.