Social Security unveils new online application

The Social Security Administration, expecting 10,000 baby boomers a day to soon begin applying for benefits, has put together an online service that will eliminate the need to go to a Social Security office.

Most people would be able to apply for retirement or disability benefits in 15 minutes or less, the agency said Tuesday.

The agency estimates that baby boomers will become eligible to retire at a rate of 10,000 a day for the next 20 years.

The agency has had versions of online applications since 2000, but in the past applicants have still had to mail or deliver paper documents with their signatures and copies of birth certificates or W-2 forms. In the future, the process will be paperless in most cases.