Benefit Connections    Retirement
Social Security and Medicare
When preparing to retire be sure to include on your list to review information provided by Social Security and Medicare. Both require action on your part and are time sensitive to initiate the process of receiving these benefits. Failure to do so could result in a delay of receiving benefits. Please review the information we have included on this link. Phone numbers and website addresses are provided for your reference.

The CITGO Benefits Helpline will be happy to assist you with the retirement process; however, they can’t offer assistance with applying for your Social Security Benefit or Medicare.

It is up to you to apply for your Social Security and Medicare benefits. The application processes are described below.

Social Security

You can begin receiving your reduced Social Security benefit as early as age 62, or you can wait to receive your full Social Security benefit. The age at which you are eligible to receive your full benefit depends on the year you were born, as shown in the chart to the right.

The amount of your Social Security benefit is determined by:

  • Your age at the time you start receiving benefits
  • Your earnings averaged over most of your working career, including the years you didn’t work but had the ability to do so, up to age 62.

You should apply for Social Security three months before you want your benefits to begin. You can apply in one of three ways:

  • Utilize their website at www.ssa.gov  (access the "Internet Retirement Insurance Benefits" application)
  • By telephone at 1-800-772-1213
  • In person - call 1-800-772-1213 to make an appointment at your local Social Security office.

When you apply for Social Security benefits, you may need original or certified copies of the following:

  1. Social Security Card
  2. Your birth certificate
  3. Your most recent W-2 form
  4. If you were in the military, your military discharge papers
  5. If you are married and applying for spouse benefits, your marriage certificate, your spouse’s birth certificate and your spouse’s Social Security number.
  6. If you are applying for children’s benefits, your children's birth certificates and Social Security numbers
  7. If you (or your spouse or child for whom you are applying for benefits) were not born in the U.S., proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status.
  8. The name of your bank and your account number, so that your benefits can be deposited directly into your bank account.

When you submit your documents, be sure to keep copies for yourself. If you do not have all of the required documents, contact your local Social Security office for help.

 
When You Can Receive Your Full Social Security Benefit
Year of Your Birth Age at Which You Are Eligible to Receive Your Full Social Security Benefit
1937 or earlier 65
1938 65 and 2 months
1939 65 and 4 months
1940 65 and 6 months
1941 65 and 8 months
1942 65 and 10 months
1943-1954 66
1955 66 and 2 months
1956 66 and 4 months
1957 66 and 6 months
1958 66 and 8 months
1959 66 and 10 months
1960 and later 67
If you are eligible for retiree medical coverage through CITGO, be sure to call the CITGO Benefits Helpline when you become eligible for medicare.
A benefits representative will explain and help you understand the changes to your retiree medical coverage.

Medicare

Typically, you are eligible for Medicare if you are age 65 or older. (You may be eligible to receive benefits prior to age 65 if you have a qualifying disability or end-stage renal disease.) The Social Security Administration will automatically send you information regarding Medicare Part A and an application for Medicare Part B three months prior to your 65th birthday if you are receiving Social Security benefits. At that time, you should apply for your Medicare Part B benefits. If you do not receive the application for Medicare coverage, then you can request one:
  • By calling the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213.
  • By accessing the Medicare Website at www.medicare.gov. When you enroll in Medicare, you may be required to provide the following:
  • Proof of age
  • Your previous year’s Form W-2 Wage and Tax Statement (earnings)
  • Your Social Security card or record of your number
  • Marriage certificate, if applicable. Please note: If you are covered by CITGO’s medical plan as a retiree, your eligibility for medical benefits changes significantly when you become eligible for Medicare. For additional information regarding coordination of benefits between the CITGO Medical plan and Medicare, please refer to your Medical Summary Plan Description.