The Social Security Administration has made the process of applying for retirement benefits easier and more accessible for those technically inclined. The SSA's website - www.ssa.gov now allows you to apply for retirement benefits. The application process is currently not available on a 24-hour basis, so you will need to check the SSA site to confirm the hours when the application may be completed.

The process involves answering a series of questions to confirm eligibility, with encryption-based security. Then the application must be printed and then submitted the old-fashioned way - by mail to a field office or in person. Ideally, the process will take less time than an in-person application, but, as with everything else, the time necessary will depend on the total circumstances.

So, if you are approaching the age when you will be able to receive your Social Security retirement benefits, you may want to look at the online application process.