The Social Security Administration now allows the public to apply for Social Security retirement benefits on the Internet at www.ssa.gov. 

To meet customer service goals, the agency has adapted its business practices to meet the changing needs of the people it serves. The 76-million-strong baby boom generation will create unique service challenges for the Social Security Administration. Baby boomers are more technologically savvy than any generation before them, and they will expect to receive state-of-the-art service.

According to a study by Jupiter Communications, 14 million Americans age 50 and older are online, and that number is expected to double in the next few years.