INDEX SOCIAL SECURITY SAFEGUARDS FOR ALL STAGES OF YOUR LIFE............................... 4 FAST MEDICARE COVERAGE EVEN WHEN YOU’RE NOT RETIRED ........................... 5 ALL ABOUT DISABILITY............................................. 5 SOCIAL SECURITY QUESTIONS & ANSWERS ............ 6 SUMMERTIME JOBS.................................................. 8 GET YOUR STATEMENT ONLINE ................................. 8
SUMMERTIME IS THE TIME FOR ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS.................................... 9 NUMBERS TELL STORIES.......................................... 9 WHAT WOMEN SHOULD KNOW ABOUT SOCIAL SECURITY....................................... 10 REPORT YOUR NAME CHANGE................................ 10 THIS JULY 4TH, EXPLORE OUR NEW FRONTIER ....... 11 OUR WOUNDED WARIORS ..................................... 11
A PARENTS’ TOUR OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY WEBSITE ......................... 8
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SOCIAL SECURITY SAFEGUARDS FOR ALL STAGES OF YOUR LIFE BY HELEN CHAFFIN DISTRICT MANAGER, ST. JOSEPH MO
A
s the District Manager in St. Joseph, I would like to welcome you to the first Social Security Supplement for the News Press. In this issue, employees from the Social Security offices in St. Joseph and the surrounding service areas have written articles for subscribers on Social Security retirement, disability and survivor’s benefits. You will also find information about My Social Security (www. SocialSecurity.Gov), our newest on-line feature that allows users to view your earning record and other electronic services as well as information on Compassionate Allowances and the Wounded Warrior program. The employees of St. Joseph office strive to provide accurate, compassionate and courteous service to our customers. In fact, the Kansas City region, which St. Joseph is a part of, has always had a well-earned reputation for a strong work ethic. The Midland Empire is no exception. I believe it is important to continue the tradition passed on to us by generations before us, and to instill it in those who are coming after us. Just as we educate each generation and we benefit from our parents and grandparents teaching, we also benefit from the wise decisions our parents and grandparents made in creating Social Security. Each generation and each stage of life – youth, middle age, and retirement – comes with its own set of financial concerns. A better understanding of the Social Security program designed by previous generations should relieve some of those concerns. The first thing you need to know is Social Security is much more than a retirement program. Of the 55 million Americans receiving Social Security benefits, nearly one-third are not retired workers or their dependents. They are severely disabled workers ST. JOSEPH SERVICE AREA COUNTIES
TOTAL BENEFICIARIES
MONTHLY AMOUNT
Andrew
2,529
$2,595,746
Buchanan
18,866
$19,306,514
Caldwell
2,225
$2,254,840
Clinton
4,402
$4,721,277
DeKalb
1,701
$1,754,383
Atchison
3,329
$3,454,972
Brown
2,298
$2,309,313
Doniphan
1,669
$1,717,564
Total
37,019
$38,114,609
Social Security retirement, survivor and disability benefits
and their families, or the survivors of a deceased worker covered by Social Security. These non-retirement Social Security benefits can be especially important to young workers and their families, because about one in eight young people will die before retirement, and about one in four will become disabled. While the death of a husband, wife or parent is emotionally devastating, it can often be financially devastating as well. Social Security provides a monthly survivor benefit to help support the family of a deceased worker. It is like the life insurance policy you never knew you had. Social Security disability protection is equally valuable. Relatively few workers have an employer provided, long term disability policy. With Social Security, however, the average worker has the equivalent of a disability insurance policy that would pay monthly benefits to both the worker and his or her family based on his or her lifetime earnings. Therefore, you can rest a little easier knowing that Social Security provides some measure of security, if life does not turn out as planned. On the other hand, if you do work and retire as planned, Social Security is the foundation for a secure retirement. For the average wage earner, Social Security will replace about 40 percent of pre-retirement earnings. Experts say you will need about 80 percent for a comfortable retirement, so savings, investments and other income should supplement Social Security retirement benefits. It is important to remember that you can earn a higher Social Security retirement benefit by choosing to retire a little later rather than a little earlier.
ST. JOSEPH SERVICE AREA COUNTIES
*TOTAL SSI RECIPIENT
MONTHLY AMOUNT
Andrew
176
86,447
Buchanan
2,380
1,183,882
Caldwell
178
83,810
Clinton
332
160,247
DeKalb
102
50,581
Atchison
329
160,137
Brown
230
110,461
Doniphan
118
50,352
Total
3,845
$1,885,917
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
people in our communities. Learn more about the SSI program by visiting us at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pgm/ssi.htm. As I stated earlier, most of our beneficiaries are retirees and their families. Social Security is not intended to be the only source of income for people when they retire. To have a comfortable retirement, Americans, more importantly residents of the Midland Empire will need much more than just Social Security. No matter how old you are, it is not too late to start planning your retirement. An important first step is visiting our website (www.socialsecurity.gov) to learn what Social Security can do for you. You can also goonline to www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator/ and try out different scenarios to see how different retirement ages and future earnings may change your retirement picture. It is quick, accurate and easy way to start planning your retirement.
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FAST MEDICARE COVERAGE EVEN WHEN YOU’RE NOT RETIRED
BY HEATHER WILKINSON SOCIAL SECURITY SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE IN ST. JOSEPH
Y
ou’ve made your decision: although you’re eligible to collect Social Security payments, you’re going to keep working and delay receiving your retirement benefits. But don’t forget about Medicare. Even if you decide to wait until after you are age 65 to apply for retirement benefits, most people should apply for Medicare coverage at age 65. If you’d like to begin your Medicare coverage, you should apply within four months of reaching age 65. There’s a fast, convenient, and simple way to apply online for Medicare in as little as 10 minutes — even
if you’re not ready to receive retirement benefits. Just visit www.socialsecurity.gov/medicareonly. At the website, you’ll find more than just the online Medicare application. You’ll also find information about Medicare, and have the opportunity to watch a short,
All about disability O A summary of where you worked and the kind of work you did; and O A copy of your most recent W-2 Form (Wage isability is something most people do and Tax Statement) or, if you are self-employed, not like to think about. However, if your Federal tax return for the past year.
BY MELISSA SWANSON SOCIAL SECURITY CLAIMS REPRESENTATIVE IN ST. JOSEPH
D
you’re not able to work because you have a medical condition that is expected to last at least one year or result in death, you may be able to get Social Security disability benefits. Here’s what you need to know. You should apply for disability benefits as soon as you become disabled. It can take months to obtain all your medical records and process an application for disability benefits (three to five months, on average). Generally, the information we need includes:
O Your Social Security number; O Your birth or baptismal certificate; O Names, addresses, and phone numbers of the doctors, caseworkers, hospitals, and clinics that took care of you, and dates of your visits; O Names and dosage of all the medicine you take; O Medical records from your doctors, therapists, hospitals, clinics, and caseworkers that you already have in your possession; O Laboratory and test results;
IMPORTANT--Do not delay filing for disability benefits if you don’t have all the above information in your possession. Social Security will assist you in getting the necessary documents, including obtaining your medical records. The fastest and most convenient way to apply for disability is online at www.socialsecurity.gov/applyfordisability. You can save your application as you go, so you can take a break at any time. If you prefer, you may call our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213, to make an appointment to apply at your local Social Security office or to set up an appointment for someone to take your application over the phone. If you are approved for disability benefits, that doesn’t mean you’ll never return to work. Social Security has special rules called “work incentives� that allow you to test your ability to work. Learn more about disability benefits and take advantage of the helpful Disability Starter Kit at www.socialsecurity.gov/disability.
fun video reuniting the cast of The Patty Duke Show to tell you about the ease and convenience of filing for Medicare online. It’s important to note that people who already receive Social Security retirement or disability benefits do not need to apply for Medicare; they will be automatically enrolled. There is no additional charge for Medicare hospital insurance (Part A), since you already paid for it by working and paying Medicare tax, but there is a monthly premium for medical insurance (Part B). If you already have other health insurance when you become eligible for Medicare, you should consider whether you want to apply for the medical insurance. You may want to consult with an insurance specialist. To learn more about this and other Medicare considerations, read our online publication, Medicare, at www.socialsecurity. gov/pubs/10043.html.
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SOCIAL SECURITY QUESTIONS QUES AND ANSWERS GENERAL QUESTIONS
MEDICARE PART D
Question: Answer:
I can’t find my Medicare card and I need a replacement. Do I need to come into the office?
You can get your Medicare card replaced without leaving your home. Just go online to http://www.socialsecurity.gov/medicarecard/ and get your new Medicare card sent to your home. Simply fill out the requested information and you’ll get your new Medicare card within 30 days; it will be mailed to your address on record. If you need temporary proof of Medicare coverage, call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 to request a letter and you will receive it in the mail within 7 to 10 days. If you need immediate proof of your Medicare coverage, please visit your local Social Security office.
Question: Answer:
My mom is interested in getting help with her Medicare Part D prescription costs, but she has about $10,000 in the bank. Would she still be eligible? Based solely on the bank account balance you mention, yes. However, there are other factors to consider as well, including your mom’s income. If your mother has other resources, they may be included too. This year a person’s total resources are, in most cases, limited to $13,070 (or $26,120 if married and living with spouse) to qualify for Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug costs. The resource limits shown on the application include a $1,500 per person exclusion for burial purposes. Resources include the value of the things you own, such as real estate (other than the place you live), cash, bank accounts, stocks, bonds, and retirement accounts like IRAs or 401ks. There are exceptions. Read more about how to qualify and apply for the Extra Help at www. socialsecurity.gov/prescriptionhelp/index.htm
Call toll-free anytime — including weekends and holidays. For those currently receiving benefits, you can use these automated services to Telephones certainly have made report a change of address or our lives easier. Have you ever telephone number, start or change thought about what your life would direct deposit of benefits, and be like without your cell phone? request a proof of income letter Now imagine life without telephones or a replacement Medicare card. at all. In addition, everyone can use the Social Security’s nationwide, toll- automated services to request imfree phone service makes conductportant Social Security forms such ing business with the agency more as an application for a replacement convenient. Did you know you can Social Security card or a Social Secall Social Security day or night at curity Statement, and order some of 1-800-772-1213? our most popular public information pamphlets. You can talk with a Social SecuIt’s hard to imagine life withrity representative from 7 a.m. to 7 out phones — or Social Security p.m., Monday to Friday. But today, without a nationwide toll-free phone telephones are used for so much number. Social Security is never more than talking. You can access more than a phone call away: 1-800recorded information and many 772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). automated services 24 hours a day BY SHARON HOWELL SOCIAL SECURITY SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE IN ST. JOSEPH
Question: Answer:
I can’t find my Medicare card and I need a replacement. Do I need to come into the office?
We encourage you to keep your Social Security card at home in a safe place. Do not carry it with you unless you are taking it to a job interview or to someone who requires it. Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in America, and the best way to avoid becoming a victim is to safeguard your card and number. To learn more, visit our Social Security number and card page at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber.
Question: Answer:
Do Members of Congress have to pay into Social Security? Yes, they do. Members of Congress, the President and Vice President, federal judges, and most political appointees, have paid taxes into the Social Security program since January 1984. They pay into the system just like everyone else, no matter how long they have been in office. Learn more about Social Security benefits at www.socialsecurity.gov.
Question: Answer:
How many Social Security numbers have been issued since the program started? Since 1935, we have assigned more than 465 million Social Security numbers and each year we assign about 5.5 million new numbers. With approximately 1 billion combinations of the 9-digit Social Security number, the current system will provide us with enough new numbers for several generations into the future. To learn more about Social Security numbers and cards, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10002.html.
DISABILITY
RETIREMENT
Question: Answer:
Question: Answer:
Question: Answer:
Question: Answer:
How do I apply for Social Security disability benefits?
There are two ways that you can apply for disability benefits. You can: 1. Apply Online at www.socialsecurity.gov; or 2. Call our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), to make an appointment to file a disability claim at your local Social Security office or to set up an appointment for someone to take your claim over the telephone. If you are applying online, a Disability Starter Kit is available at www.socialsecurity. gov/disability. The kit will help you get ready for your disability claim interview. If you schedule an appointment, a Disability Starter Kit will be mailed to you. My doctor said he thinks I’m disabled. Who decides if I meet the requirements for Social Security disability benefits?
We first will review your application to make sure you meet some basic requirements for Social Security disability benefits, such as whether you worked enough years to qualify. Then we will send your application to the disability determination services office in your state, often called the “DDS” or “state agency” to determine whether you meet the legal definition of disabled. Your state agency completes the disability decision for us. Doctors and disability specialists in the state agency ask your doctors for information about your condition. They consider all the facts in your case. They use the medical evidence from your doctors and hospitals, clinics, or institutions where you have been treated and all other information. The state agency staff may need more medical information before they can decide if you are disabled. If more information is not available from your current medical sources, the state agency may ask you to go for a special examination. The preference is to ask your own doctor, but sometimes the exam may have to be done by someone else. Social Security will pay for the exam and for some of the related travel costs. Learn more about disability benefits at www.socialsecurity.gov/disability.
Question: Answer:
Question: Answer:
Question:
Question: Answer:
l lost my Social Security card, should I get a new one? If you know your Social Security number, you may not need a replacement card. You can replace your Social Security card for free if it is lost or stolen, but you are limited to three replacement cards in a year and 10 during your lifetime. Learn more at www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber.
I worked for the last 10 years and I now have my 40 credits. Does this mean that I can stop working and get the maximum Social Security retirement benefit when it’s time to retire?
Answer:
The 40 credits are the minimum number you need to qualify for retirement benefits. However, we do not base the amount of the benefit on those credits; we base it on your earnings over your working lifetime. To learn more about Social Security retirement benefits and how your benefit amount is figured, read our online publication, Retirement Benefits, at www.socialsecurity. gov/pubs/10035.html
I have been getting Social Security disability benefits for many years. I’m about to hit my full retirement age. What will happen to my disability benefits? When you reach “full retirement age” we will switch you from disability to retirement benefits. But you won’t even notice the change because your benefit amount will stay the same. It’s just that when you reach retirement age, we consider you to be a “retiree” and not a disability beneficiary. To learn more, visit our website at www.socialsecurity.gov. I currently receive Social Security disability benefits. I now have a second serious disability. Can my monthly benefit amount be increased? No. Although your Social Security disability benefit eligibility is based on having a severe disability, the benefit amount is based on the amount of your lifetime earnings before your disability began and not the number, degree, or severity of your disability. For more information, go to www. socialsecurity.gov/dibplan/dapproval2.htm.
Question: Answer:
Is there a time limit on how long I can collect Social Security disability benefits? Your disability benefits will continue as long as your medical condition has not improved and you remain unable to work. Your case will be reviewed at regular intervals to make sure you still are disabled. If you still are receiving disability benefits when you reach full retirement age, we will automatically convert them to retirement benefits. See www.socialsecurity.gov/ pubs/10153.html#6 for more information on disability.
My husband and I are both entitled to our own Social Security benefits. Will our combined benefits be reduced because we are married? No. When each member of a married couple works in employment covered under Social Security and both meet all other eligibility requirements to receive retirement benefits, lifetime earnings are calculated independently to determine the benefit amounts. Therefore, each spouse receives a monthly benefit amount based on his or her own earnings. If one member of the couple earned low wages or did not earn enough Social Security credits (40) to be insured for retirement benefits, he or she may be eligible to receive benefits as a spouse. To learn more about retirement, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/retirement. I just got back from an overseas military deployment and I want to plan ahead for my retirement. How will my military retirement affect my Social Security benefits? Your military retirement won’t affect your Social Security benefits at all. You can get both. Generally, there is no offset of Social Security benefits because of your military retirement. You will get full Social Security benefits based on your earnings. However your Social Security benefit might be reduced is if you also receive a government pension based on a job in which you did not pay Social Security taxes. You can find more information in the publication Military Service and Social Security at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10017.html. Or call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).
Question: Answer:
I just started my first job and my paycheck is less than I expected. Why am I paying for retirement benefits when I have a lifetime to live before retirement? Besides being required by law, you are securing your own financial future through the payment of Social Security and Medicare taxes. The taxes you pay now translate to a lifetime of protection, whether you retire or become disabled. And when you die, your family (or future family) may be able to receive survivors benefits based on your work as well. Aside from all the benefits in your own future, your Social Security and Medicare payments also help today’s retirees. To learn more, visit our website at www.socialsecurity.gov.
Question:
My father receives Social Security retirement benefits, and I will be in charge of his estate when he dies. Should that occur, do I need to report his death to Social Security or will benefits auto matically stop? When your father dies, please notify Social Security as soon as possible by calling us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-3250778). Another person, such as a spouse, may be eligible for survivors benefits based on his record. Also, we might be able to pay a one-time payment of $255 to help with funeral expenses. We suggest reading a copy of our online publication, How Social Security Can Help You When A Family Member Dies, at www.socialsecurity. gov/pubs/10008.html.
Answer:
Question: Answer:
How long does it take to complete the online application for Social Security retirement benefits?
It can take as little as 15 minutes to complete the online application. In most cases, once your application is submitted electronically, you’re done. There are no forms to sign and usually no documentation to mail in. Social Security will process your application and contact you if any further information is needed. There’s no need to drive to a local Social Security office or wait for an appointment with a Social Security representative. To retire online, go to www.socialsecurity.gov.
BY DENISE ESTENSON SOCIAL SECURITY SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE IN ST. JOSEPH
SUMMERTIME JOBS
S
ummer is almost here. Now is the time to find that summer job you really want. Whether you find the perfect outdoor job at a summer camp or as a golf caddy, or you get to practice your people skills in retail, fast food, or an amusement park, one thing’s for sure: nothing’s better than having fun this summer while earning a few extra dollars. No matter how cool the job may be, make sure to look at the tax deductions when your first pay check is issued. Some of the taxes you’re paying as an employee will help you quality for Social Security benefits later. To learn more about your Social Security number or how you earn credits for Social Security coverage, visit us at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10072.html. Here’s another important thing to know as you go out to find summer employment: your Social Security number. Knowing your Social Security number is important as
Get your statement online BY TINA WILLIAMS SOCIAL SECURITY ASSISTANT DISTRICT MANAGER IN ST. JOSEPH
I
f you would like to get a Social Security Statement, which provides estimates of your future benefits, it is now available online at www.socialsecurity.gov. “Our new online Social Security Statement is simple, easy-to-use and provides people with estimates they can use to plan for their retirement,” said Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security. “The online Statement also provides estimates for disability and survivors benefits, making the Statement an important financial planning tool. People should get in the habit of checking their online Statement each year, around their birthday, for example.” In addition to helping with financial planning, the online Statement also provides workers a convenient way to determine whether their earnings are accurately posted to their Social Security records. This feature is important because Social Security benefits are based on average earnings over a person’s lifetime. If the information is incorrect, the person may not receive proper benefits. The online Statement provides you the opportunity to save or print the document for future reference, or to have handy for discussions with family
members or a financial planner. According to the American Customer Satisfaction Index, users are giving the online Statement a score of 89, making it competitive with our other top-rated, best-in-government online services, such as the Retirement Estimator and online retirement application. To get a personalized online Statement, you must be age 18 or older and must be able to provide information about yourself that matches information already on file with Social Security. In addition, Social Security uses Experian, an external authentication service provider, for further verification. You must provide identifying information and answer security questions in order to pass this verification. Social Security will not share your Social Security number with Experian, but the identity check is an important part of this new, thorough verification process. When your identity is verified, you can create a “My Social Security” account with a unique user name and password to access your online Statement. In addition, your online Statement includes links to information about other online Social Security services, such as applications for retirement, disability, and Medicare. For more information about the new online Statement, please visit www. socialsecurity.gov/mystatement.
you enter the workforce. Treat your number as confidential information and keep it protected. Memorize your number and do not carry your Social Security card with you unless you need to show it to your employer. Keep it in a safe place with your other important papers. If your employer wants to see your card and you don’t know where it is, it’s easy to apply for a new one. Simply complete an Application For a Social Security Card (Form SS-5) and show us original documents proving your U.S. citizenship or immigration status, age, and identity. The online application includes examples of documents you may need; you can find the application at www.socialsecurity.gov/online/ss5.pdf. Then, take or mail your completed application and documents to your local Social Security office. We will mail your Social Security card to you. If your card is lost or stolen, you can apply for a replacement for free. However, you are limited to three replacement cards in a year and 10 during your lifetime. Whether you find a job filing paperwork or cooking burgers, have fun this summer as you work and save for your future.
A parents’ tour of the Social Security website BY JENNIFER CURTIS SOCIAL SECURITY CLAIMS REPRESENTATIVE IN ST. JOSEPH
D
o your parents spend much time online? Sometimes older parents can be apprehensive about using the Internet and conducting business online. There is no reason they should be when it comes to Social Security’s online services at www.socialsecurity.gov. Our website is consistently rated not only the best and easiest to use in government, but in the private sector as well! What are some of the reasons your parents may want to visit www.socialsecurity.gov? Allow us to show you around so you can give Mom and Dad the proper tour. Front and center, there is always a series of illustrated panels. This is where we share new messages, initiatives, and items of interest, such as breaking news and tips on new or improved online services. To the right, you’ll find a big question mark: that is where you can find our most frequently asked questions — and answers. If your parents have a question about Social Security, chances are someone else had the same question. We have collected them on our website, and it is easy to search for questions on a variety of Social Security topics. Smack dab in the middle of the page is where you can find press releases and the latest news about Social Security.
To the left of the page you will find our top services. Virtually anything you want to do online can be found here: apply online for retirement, disability or Medicare benefits; get an instant, personalized estimate of future benefits with our online Retirement Estimator; and obtain information about how to get or replace a Social Security card. One of the hottest new services is getting your Social Security Statement online. Just complete the authentication process, much like the sort you would go through when requesting a credit report online, and you’ll be able to set up your online Social Security account. Once you do, you will have online access to your Statement, which includes detailed estimates of future benefits, and a summary of your work history through the years. This is especially helpful for parents who may be planning for retirement. Our website offers many other services as well, such as online forms and publications, an easy application to apply for Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug costs, icons to our Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube pages, and information categorized by subject matter or by audience. Take your parents for a visit to www.socialsecurity.gov. It is one small way you can give back to those who have given so much for you.
SUMMERTIME IS THE TIME FOR ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS
because the law requires that by March 1, 2013 all federal benefit payments, including Social Security and SSI payments, be made electronically. Whether hen you are away from you receive Social Security or SSI, you can depend home, one thing you on your payment arriving in your account on time, don’t want to worry every time. If you don’t already receive electronic about is how you will payments, there are many good reasons to sign up. receive your next For one, less money and time spent driving to the monthly Social Secubank to cash your check helps you save. Second, rity payment. That is fewer paper checks, envelopes, and stamps, and why it is important for less fuel to deliver the checks means savings for everyone receiving So- the government. cial Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Hurricane season is here for some areas of the benefits to sign up for electronic payments. country. Some areas of the nation are plagued by These days, almost everyone gets benefit paytornadoes, wildfires, severe thunderstorms, or even ments electronically. Today, about 90 percent of all earthquakes. If you are ever in the path of a natural Social Security and SSI beneficiaries receive their disaster, the last thing you want is for your income payments electronically. That number is increasing to be interrupted because of an evacuation or a BY SONJA CANCHOLA SOCIAL SECURITY SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE IN ST. JOSEPH
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Social security numbers tell national stories BY CHAD ARNOLD SOCIAL SECURITY CLAIMS REPRESENTATIVE IN ST. JOSEPH
J
ust as Social Security is an American cornerstone, baseball is America’s pastime. Baseball is an annual rite of summer and a game that is known for its numbers. Joe DiMaggio’s 56-game hitting streak, Cal Ripken’s record 2,632 consecutive games played, and Hank Aaron’s 755 career home runs all tell stories greater than the numbers themselves. Mention any one of these numbers to a baseball fan and you’re sure to call to mind memories and stories. Social Security’s numbers tell stories too. The first lump sum Social Security payment of $0.17 was made to Ernest Ackerman in 1937. The first monthly Social Security check of $22.54 went to Ida May Fuller in January of 1940. This year, about 55 million Americans will receive $760 billion in Social Security benefits. The average monthly benefit for a retired worker in 2012 is $1,229 An estimated 159 million workers are covered under Social Security — that’s
94% of the workforce. Fifty percent of workers have no private pension coverage and 31% have no savings set aside specifically for retirement. These and other numbers make it easy to appreciate the value of Social Security. Ninety percent of Americans age 65 and older receive Social Security benefits. And among the unmarried, 41% rely on Social Security benefits for 90% of their income. Social Security is more than just retirement benefits. Disabled workers and their dependents account for 19% of the total benefits paid, while survivor’s benefits account for 12% percent. Almost one in four of today’s 20-year olds will become disabled before reaching age 67, and the majority of these workers have no long-term disability insurance besides their Social Security coverage. About one in eight of today’s 20-year olds will die before reaching age 67. Baseball and Social Security: America’s pastime and America’s retirement program. Both have long and storied histories and associations with statistics. Learn more about Social Security by visiting www.socialsecurity.gov.
missing mailbox. With electronic payments, you know your money will be in your account on time no matter what. When on vacation, an electronic payment ensures payments will be deposited into your account on time, so there’s no reason to worry about the safety of your benefit or to ask a neighbor to look out for your check when you are away. As an added bonus, many banks offer free checking accounts for people who use direct deposit because it saves the bank the cost of processing paper payments. Skip the line at the bank, save money, get your payment faster, and know you can depend on your payment being in the bank no matter what happens or where you are. You can do all of this with electronic payments. Learn more about it at www. socialsecurity.gov/deposit.
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WHAT WOMEN SHOULD KNOW ABOUT SOCIAL SECURITY BY STACEY BELL SOCIAL SECURITY CLAIMS REPRESENTATIVE IN ST. JOSEPH
W
hile the Social Security program treats all workers — men and women —the same in terms of the benefits they can receive, women need to know what the program means to them in their particular circumstances. Understanding the benefits to which they may be entitled may mean the difference between living more comfortably versus just “getting by” in their later retirement years. One of the most significant things women need to remember in terms of Social Security is the importance of promptly reporting a name change. If you haven’t told us of a name change, your earnings may not be recorded properly and you may not receive all the Social Security benefits you are due. Not changing your name with Social Security also can delay your Federal income tax refund. To report a name change, please fill out an Application for a Social Security Card (Form SS-5). You can get the form by visiting www.socialsecurity.gov, visiting any Social Security office or card center, or by calling Social Security’s toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778). You must show us a recently issued document as proof of your legal name change. If building a family is in your plans, it’s a good idea to apply for a Social Security number for your baby in the hospital, at the same time that you apply for your baby’s birth certificate. Social Security will mail the card to you or, you can elect to wait and
apply in person at any Social Security office. However, if you wait, you must provide evidence of your child’s age, identity and U.S. citizenship status, as well as proof of your identity. Then, we must verify your child’s birth record, which can add 12 weeks to the time it takes to issue a card. When women start receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits, other family members may be eligible for payments as well. For example, benefits can be paid to a husband: • If he is age 62 or older; or • At any age if he is caring for your child (the child must be younger than 16 or disabled and receiving Social Security benefits on your record). Benefits also can be paid to unmarried children if they are: • Younger than 18; • Between 18 and 19 years old, but in elementary or secondary school as fulltime students; or • Age 18 or older and severely disabled (the disability must have started before age 22). The family of a woman who dies may be eligible for survivors benefits based on her work. For more information about women and Social Security, ask for the publication, What Every Woman Should Know (SSA Publication No. 05-10127) or visit our special Women’s page online at www.socialsecurity.gov/women.
Report your name change BY CINDY CROSSLAND SOCIAL SECURITY SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE IN ST. JOSEPH
T
his time of year, we see a lot of weddings, and in many cases that means name changes. If you need to change your name due to marriage, divorce, or any other reason, you will want to report the change to Social Security. There are several reasons to report the change. First, IRS and Social Security match computer records. If the name and Social Security number you report on your tax return do not match the name and Social Security number in our records, it could delay the processing of your return as well as any tax refund you might be due. The second reason it is important to make sure your Social Security records are up-to-date is because your potential Social Security benefits are based almost entirely on the earnings record we maintain for you. If your employer reports earnings to the government under your new name, and your Social Security record still shows your old name, those earnings may not get credited to your Social Security earnings record. Missing earnings can lead to lower future Social Security benefits. To change your name in Social Security’s records, you must apply for a new Social Security card. To make the application process faster and easier, just go to www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber/ and print out the form for a Social Security card, “Application Form SS-5.” That’s also the form you need if you simply want to apply for a replacement card. The application form also tells you what evidence you will need to submit. Complete the one-page form and bring or mail it to your local Social Security office
with proper documentation. All documents must be originals or certified copies and must have information that clearly identifies you, like your date and place of birth. The application includes information on what types of identity and documentation are needed for specific cases, and what sorts of documents we can accept. The application process is easy, and described well (along with other things you may want to know about your Social Security card and number) at www.socialsecurity. gov/ssnumber.
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A
mericans have been explorers long before we declared our independence on July 4, 1776. Colonists were brave enough to venture across the seas to settle in the unknown frontier of the New World. From there, westward expansion eventually took them from the east coast to the west. Then came the space race, and imagined places to explore. Shows like Star Trek called space the final frontier. But we’ve since found new frontiers, such as cyberspace. If you’ve used Social Security’s website, then you know that cyberspace is no longer a strange, uncharted territory. Social Security’s online services are so easy to navigate, even Kirk could use them (as Patty Duke tells George Takei in one of our new public service announcements – check them out at www. socialsecurity.gov/boldlygo). What are some of the things you can do easily at www.socialsecurity.gov? • Use our Retirement Estimator to get an instant, personalized estimate of your future Social Security retirement benefits. www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator
Our wounded warriors
• Visit our Benefits Planner, where you can get started right away planning for a secure retirement. You also can go here to use the disability and survivors planners to find out how much you or your family might qualify for if the need arises. www.socialsecurity.gov/planners • Retire online! You can complete and submit your retirement application in as little as 15 minutes. www.socialsecurity.gov/retireonline • Apply online for disability benefits. www.socialsecurity.gov/applyfordisability There’s even more you can do at www.socialsecurity.gov. If you’re feeling adventurous and want to explore, look around our home page, read some of our publications, and take advantage of our most popular services at the left side of the screen. You even can chart a course for our frequently asked questions. It wasn’t fireworks and parades that made America what it is today. It was our adventurous spirit, our desire to explore new places. We encourage you to explore the final frontier for your Social Security business at www.socialsecurity. gov.
Life Improvement Is What We’re All About
BY MICHAEL STEVENS SOCIAL SECURITY SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE IN ST. JOSEPH
I
f you are a military service member who was wounded and needs to apply for disability benefits, it’s important to know that you will receive expedited processing. Our wounded warriors initiative is for military service members who become disabled while on active duty on or after October 1, 2001, regardless of where the disability occurs. Depending on the situation, some family members of military personnel, including dependent children and, in some cases, spouses, may be able to receive benefits. Learn more about it at www.socialsecurity.gov/woundedwarriors. To learn more about the Social Security benefits for those who have served in the military, read our publication, Military Service and Social Security. You can find it online at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10017.html, or send us an email at OPI.Net.Post@ ssa.gov, or call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to ask for a free copy to be mailed to you. It is important to remind families of fallen military heroes that we may be able to pay Social Security survivors benefits. If the person you depended on for income has died, you should apply for survivors benefits. Learn more about Social Security survivors benefits at www.socialsecurity.gov/pgm/survivors.htm. The men and women of the Armed Forces serve us each and every day. At Social Security, we’re here to serve them too.
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