June 2016 Social Security

Social Security 2016 Written by Kirk Larson, Social Security Western Washington Public Affairs Specialist In partnership with the Social Security Administration

Timely information about your Social Security Benefits

A Supplement to the Skagit Valley Herald and Anacortes American

TABLE OF CONTENTS 2 Replacing Your Social Security Card Online – A New Tool For Washington Residents 3 Count On Social Security Survivor Benefits To Protect Your Family 4 Medicare – Over Half A Century Of Helping Protect Our People 4 Taking Stock Of Your Financial Literacy 5 Don’t Be A Scam Victim 5 Your Spouse May Be Covered By Social Security 6 Social Security Delivers The Most Popular Baby Names For 2015 7 Social Security Disablity Helps People Who Work 7 Social Security Is Important To Women 8 Ask Social Security – The Answers Are Waiting For You 8 Social Security And Same-Sex Marriage 9 What Is Fica And Why Does It Keep Taking Part Of My Paycheck?

10 Protect Your Social Security Number And Protect Yourself From Identity Theft 10 What Military Service Personnel Should Know About Social Security Disability Benefits 11 Social Security Benefits U.S. Citizens Outside The United States 12 Q and A with SSA Scan this QR code with your smartphone to connect to socialsecurity.gov/seattle/index

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Replacing Your Social Security Card Online – A New Tool for Washington Residents The Social Security Administration strives to provide you world-class service. With that in mind, we rolled out a new service that allows some of our customers to request a replacement Social Security card online.

The new online version of the Application for a Replacement Social Security Card allows people in some states to request a replacement card online through our secure my Social Security portal without traveling to a field office.You can create or log into your personal my Social Security account at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.

This great new tool is currently available in Washington. It’s an easy, convenient, and secure way to request a replacement card.

When you open a my Social Security account, we protect your information by using strict identity verification and security features.

The application process has builtin features to detect fraud and confirm your identity.

In certain cases, security experts at Social Security will contact you to ensure it is a legitimate application. We only issue a replacement card if there’s no suspicion of fraud and only mail it to a verified address.

To take advantage of this new service option, you must: • Have or create a my Social Security account; • Have a valid driver’s license (or a state-issued identification card in some states); • Be age 18 or older and a United States citizen with a domestic U.S. mailing address (this includes APO, FPO, and DPO addresses); and • Not be requesting a name change or any other changes to your card.

Before you request a replacement card online, you may want to consider whether you need to get a replacement card at all. Most times, knowing your number is what’s important.You’ll rarely need the card itself, perhaps only when you get a new job and have to show it to your employer.

If you decide you need a replacement card, log into your personal my Social Security account at www.socialsecurity.gov/ myaccont and select “Request a Replacement Card.” Next, answer the screening questions to confirm eligibility, complete personal data, and you’re done!

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Count on Social Security Survivor Benefits To Protect Your Family

Tragedy strikes without warning. For families who lose a wage earner, it can have a devastating financial impact in addition to the emotional one.

The average payment is just over $1,200 per month. Social Security’s survivors benefits may be more valuable than your individual life insurance.

Acting Commissioner Carolyn Colvin says that Social Security touches the lives of every American, often in times of tragedy and uncertainty. It’s true. Our programs go beyond retirement and disability benefits. Social Security helps care for the surviving families of deceased entitled workers.

The benefit amount your family is eligible for depends on your average lifetime earnings. The more you earned, the more their benefits will be. Check your Social Security Statement to see an estimate of survivors benefits we could pay. You can create a secure my Social Security account to access your Statement anytime and see an estimate of these benefits.

If you work, some of the Social Security taxes you pay now go toward survivors benefits for workers and their families. In the event of your death, certain family members — widows, widowers (including your divorced spouse), children and dependent parents — may be eligible for survivors benefits. Today, in Washington State, there are over 110,000 widows/widowers and children receiving monthly benefits.

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In certain circumstances, we also make a one-time payment of $255 to your spouse or child if you’ve worked long enough.

Survivors must apply for this payment within two years of the date of death.

For more information about Social Security’s survivor benefits visit our website at www.SSA.GOV. No one likes

to think about death, but, unfortunately, it’s inevitable.

When it happens, know that

you can count on Social Security to be there for your loved ones.

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Taking Stock Of Your Financial Literacy Being financially literate is important, in everyday life and as you work toward retirement. In Washington, there are over 885,000 people receiving monthly retirement payments. The average payment in King County is $1,496, in Skagit it is $1,386, and in Snohomish County it is $1,443. Social Security is there to help secure your future, but savings should be the foundation of a bigger retirement plan.

Medicare – Over Half a Century of Helping Protect Our People On July 30, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed Medicare into law with these words: “No longer will older Americans be denied the healing miracle of modern medicine. No longer will illness crush and destroy the savings that they have so carefully put away over a lifetime.” When Medicare first started, workers went door to door trying to get seniors to sign up. Medicare was not the cornerstone then that it is today and people did not know whether it was going to work for the long haul.

Now, over half a century later, Medicare remains one of the most popular government programs in the nation. It has been changing the lives of Americans by providing the peace of mind that comes with health care that is there when you need it. Medicare saves lives, helps people live longer, and keeps families strong.

For over 50 years, the Medicare program has provided essential health care services for millions of people who are age 65 or older or disabled. Without Medicare, many people would not be able to pay for hospital 4

care, doctor’s visits, medical tests, preventive services, or prescription drugs.

Your Medicare card is the most important piece of identification you own as a Medicare beneficiary since medical providers will request it when you seek their services. If you need to replace a lost, stolen, or damaged Medicare card, you can do it online with a my Social Security account at www.socialsecurity. gov/myaccount. Requesting a replacement card through my Social Security is safe, convenient, and easy. Going online saves you a trip to your local Social Security office or unproductive time on the phone.

Fifty years ago, Medicare didn’t have as many options as it does today. As the largest public health program in the United States, Medicare includes four parts to keep you covered: Part A is insurance that covers inpatient hospital stays, outpatient care in nursing facilities, hospice, and home health care.

Part B includes medical insurance for doctor’s services, medical supplies, outpatient care,

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and preventive services.

Part C is a Medicare advantage plan that allows you to choose your health care coverage through a provider organization.

You must have Part A and Part B to enroll in Part C. This plan usually includes Medicare prescription drug coverage and may include extra benefits and services at an additional cost.

Part D is prescription drug coverage. There is a separate monthly premium for this plan; however, people with low resources and income may qualify for the Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug costs from Social Security.Visit www. socialsecurity.gov/prescriptionhelp to see if you qualify.

A recent survey to Medicare beneficiaries asked: Why do you love Medicare? One person stated, “It gives peace of mind not only for seniors, but for veterans and disabled as well.” Another satisfied recipient replied, “I most likely wouldn’t be alive today without Medicare.” These are just two of the millions who endorse Medicare’s half-century strong success story.

Have you ever done business online? The convenience and safety of doing business online is another way we are meeting the changing needs and lifestyles of our customers. You can open your own personal my Social Security account within a matter of minutes and have access to your information at any time of day, from the comfort of your home or office.

With a my Social Security account, you can: • Keep track of your earnings and verify them every year, which is important because we use your earnings, along with other information, to help determine your benefit amount and eligibility; • Get an estimate of your future benefits, if you are still working; • Get a letter with proof of your benefits, if you currently receive them; and • Manage your benefits: • Change your address; • Start or change your direct deposit; • Get a replacement Medicare card; • Get a replacement SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S for tax season; and • If you live Washington you may be able to replace your Social Security card online using my Social Security.

It is an easy, convenient, and secure way to request a replacement card online. To learn more go to www. socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber.

If you are not getting benefits yet, it is important that you check your Social Security Statement every year since we base your future benefits on your earnings record.

Your Statement can help you plan for your financial future.

We encourage you to go online to my Social Security to access your Statement whenever you wish to verify your earnings history or check your estimated future benefits.

One sure way to stay on top of your financial future: you can join the more than 23 million people who have opened their own my Social Security account at www. socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.

June 2016 goskagit.com

Don’t be a Scam Victim Your Spouse May Be Covered By Social Security

With the tax season wrapping up, scammers are out in full force. Perhaps you received a phone call demanding payment from the IRS. They may threaten you with legal action if you do not pay immediately, or say things like, “we are sending the police to arrest you.” While these calls may seem scary, it is important to understand that they are not legitimate.

This scam, which started in October 2013, has claimed over $29 million from its victims. Unfortunately, this is just one of many scams designed to make you believe you are speaking with a legitimate government official.

• Ask you for your personal information or credit or debit card numbers over the phone; or

Scammers use many tactics in an attempt to force victims to give out information, and sometimes money, via telephone or email. In Social Security related scams, they often call under a guise of helping you complete a disability application, asking you for your Social Security number or banking information.

• For Social Security impersonations, contact Social Security’s Office of Inspector General at https://oig.ssa.gov/report;

Whether they are with Social Security or the IRS, a government employee will never do some things as part of official agency business, including: • Call you to demand an immediate payment; • Demand that you pay a debt without the ability to appeal the amount you owe; • Require a specific means of payment, such as requiring you to pay with a prepaid debit card;

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• Threaten you with arrest or deportation.

Any legitimate request from a government agency will come to you in writing. Additionally, if you do receive a call from a government official, they will be able to provide you with a telephone number and extension. If you receive one of these scam calls or emails, do not provide them with any information. You should: • Hang up immediately;

• For IRS impersonations, contact the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) at www.treasury.gov/tigta, using the “IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting” page; and • Contact the Federal Trade Commission on FTC.gov.

If you are attempting to conduct business with any government agency, or you have received a notice from such an agency, please utilize the telephone numbers provided in the notification.

Additionally, you can find contact information on any .gov website such as socialsecurity.gov or irs.gov.

If you have a spouse who does not earn an income or who earns less than you do, your spouse (including a same-sex spouse) or a divorced spouse may be entitled to Social Security spouses’ benefits based on your record.

Social Security can be an important financial asset for married couples when the time comes to apply for retirement benefits. In many cases, one spouse may have earned significantly more than the other, or may have worked longer. On the other hand, it could be that one spouse stayed home to do the work of raising the children, caring for elderly family members, or managing the household while the other focused on a career.

Whatever your situation, Social Security will look at all possibilities to make sure both spouses receive the maximum Social Security benefits possible, whether based on each spouse’s earnings record or the higher wage earner’s record.

Your spouse can apply for benefits the same way that you apply for benefits on your own record. He or she can apply for reduced benefits as early as age 62, or for 100 percent of the full retirement benefits at “full retirement age.” Not sure what the full retirement ages are? To learn your and your spouse’s full retirement ages, based on

birth year, visit www.socialsecurity. gov/pubs/ageincrease.htm.

The benefit amount your spouse can receive at full retirement age can be as much as one-half of your full benefit.

If your spouse opts for early retirement, the benefit may be as little as a third of your full benefit amount. Note that benefits paid to your spouse do not decrease your benefit amount.

People can also apply for spouse benefits based on the earnings record of an ex-spouse or deceased ex-spouse if married for at least 10 years, as long as they are not currently married to someone else. Spouses can consider a number of options and variables. We make it easier to navigate them. A good place to start is by visiting our benefits planner at www.socialsecurity.gov/ planners. Take note of the “Benefits As A Spouse” section.

If you are ready to apply for benefits, the fastest, easiest, and most convenient way is to apply online! You can do so at www.socialsecurity. gov/applyonline and complete your application in as little as 15 minutes.

Whether you receive benefits on a spouse’s record or your own, rest assured we will make sure you get the highest benefit for which you qualify.

Learn more at www.socialsecurity.gov.

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Social Security Delivers the Most Popular Baby Names for 2015 For the second year in a row, Emma and Noah are America’s most popular baby names. This marks the third year at number one for Noah and the second for Emma. In Washington State the two top names are a little different. Oliver and Olivia are at the top. Like a name, Social Security is with you through life’s journey.

Here are the top 10 boys and girls names for 2015:

Boys:

1) Noah

2) Liam

3) Mason

4) Jacob

5) William

6) Ethan

7) James

8) Alexander

9) Michael

10) Benjamin

For all the top baby names of 2015, to check out the new quiz, and to find where your own name ranks, go to Social Security’s website, www.socialsecurity.gov. You can also open a my Social Security account, a personalized online account that people can use beginning in their working years and continuing throughout the time they receive Social Security benefits.

Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries can have instant access to their benefit verification letter, payment history, and complete earnings record by establishing a my Social Security account.

Beneficiaries also can change their address, start or change direct deposit information, and print a replacement SSA-1099 online.

People receiving Social Security can request a replacement Medicare card online.

Individuals age 18 and older who are not receiving benefits can also sign up for a my Social Security account to get their personalized 6

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Girls: 1) Emma 2) Olivia 3) Sophia 4) Ava 5) Isabella 6) Mia 7) Abigail 8) Emily 9) Charlotte 10) Harper

online Social Security Statement. The online Statement provides workers with secure and convenient access to their Social Security earnings and benefit information, and estimates of future benefits they can use to plan for their retirement.

The agency began compiling the baby name list in 1997, with names dating back to 1880. At the time of a child’s birth, parents supply the name to the agency when applying for a child’s Social Security card, thus making Social Security America’s source for the most popular baby names.

Each year, the list reveals the effect of pop-culture on naming trends. This year’s winners for biggest jump in popularity in the Top 1,000 are Alaia and Riaan.

Alaia jumped 2,012 spots on the girls’ side to number 664, from number 2,676 in 2014. Perhaps this can be attributed to high fashion designer Azzedine Alaia, or maybe it is

because of Alaia Baldwin, the model/daughter of actor Stephen Baldwin.

Riaan increased 1,360 spots for the boys, from number 2,286 in 2014 to number 926.

Of Indian origin, it is also the name of the young son of a well-known Bollywood actor, Riteish Deshmukh.

The second fastest riser for girls was Meilani. If you have ever watched MTV’s “Jersey Shore,” and maybe even if you haven’t, you’ve heard of Jenni “JWoww” Farley. She gave birth to daughter Meilani in 2014. On a different American shore, out in Hawaii, is another well-known Meilani--Bethany Meilani Hamilton, the professional surfer whose story of surviving a shark attack was documented in the movie “Soul Surfer.”

For boys, it was Huxley (a brave new comeback for the late science fiction writer?).

Please visit www.socialsecurity.gov to view the entire list.

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SOCIAL SECURITY DISABLITY HELPS PEOPLE WHO WORK People with disabilities are challenged with both overcoming barriers and with convincing others that those barriers do not define them. Social Security provides an economic lifeline to America’s workers through our benefit programs. We run the largest disability program in the nation. In Washington State there are over 180,000 people receiving Social Security disability monthly payments. In addition, there are over 33,000 children and spouses that receive extra payments off the disabled individual record. That is move then 2.7 billion dollars per year.

qualify, a person must not only have an impairment that will last one year or more, or result in death, but they must be unable to perform any substantial work.

The Social Security disability insurance program, or SSDI, is perhaps the most misunderstood program of Social Security. Some people may think that SSDI recipients have never worked and are taking advantage of the system by receiving money for minor impairments.

56 million Americans, or 1-in-5, live with disabilities. Thirty-eight million disabled Americans, or 1-in-10, live with severe disabilities. Disability is something many Americans, especially younger people, think can only affect the lives of other people.

Tragically, thousands of young people are seriously injured or killed, often as the result of traumatic events.

Nothing could be further from the truth. First, anyone who qualifies for SSDI must have worked enough to pay into the system and be “insured.”

Second, Social Security has some of the strictest requirements in the world for disability benefits. To

Social Security Is Important To Women Social Security plays an important role in providing economic security for women and the first person to receive a monthly Social Security payment was a woman.

Ida May Fuller, born on September 6, 1874, was the first American to receive a monthly Social Security benefit check. Along with Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins — who was instrumental in the creation of the Social Security Act — Ida May Fuller was one of the first famous women of Social Security. She received the check, amounting to $22.54, on January 31, 1940. Back then, people understood that she would be one of millions that would be positively affected by retirement benefits.

Seventy-six years after that first check, Social Security continues to play a vital role in the lives of women. With longer life expectancies than men, women tend to live more years in retirement and have a greater chance of exhausting other sources of income. In fact, nearly 60% of all people receiving Social Security benefits today are women and 68% of those over the age of 85 are women.

With the national average life expectancy for women in

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Consequently, Social Security disability beneficiaries are some of the most severely impaired people in the country, and they greatly depend on their benefits.You can learn more by visiting the Faces and Facts website at www.socialsecurity. gov/disabilityfacts. At the website, you will find many personal stories of those who have benefitted from Social Security when they needed it most.

Many serious medical conditions, such as cancer or mental illness, can affect the young as well as the elderly. The sobering fact for 20-year-olds, insured

for disability benefits, is that more than 1-in-4 of them becomes disabled before reaching retirement age. As a result, they may need to rely on the Social Security disability benefits for income support. Our disability benefits provide a critical source of financial support to people when they need it most.

We also have incentives that give beneficiaries with disabilities — who are able — the opportunity to return to work. These work incentives include continued cash benefits for a period of time while you work, continued Medicare or Medicaid coverage, and help with education, training, and rehabilitation to start a new line of work. In some cases, we may even be able to deduct certain impairmentrelated work expenses from your countable income, making it possible to earn more and also remain eligible to receive benefits. Examples of these expenses are wheelchairs, transportation costs, and specialized equipment needed for work.

Visit www.socialsecurity.gov/work for more information on the Ticket to Work program and work incentives.You may also call 1-866-9687842 (TDD 866-833-2967).

the United States rising, many women will have decades to enjoy retirement. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, a girl born today can expect to live more than 80 years. As a result, experts generally agree that if women want to ensure that their retirement years are comfortable, they need to plan early and wisely.

What you can do “The best place to begin is by knowing what you can expect to receive from Social Security, and how much more you are likely to need to enjoy a comfortable retirement,” said Carolyn W. Colvin, Social Security’s Acting Commissioner and a Social Security pioneer woman in her own right.

You can start with a visit to Social Security’s Retirement Estimator. There, in just a few minutes, you can get a personalized, instant estimate of your retirement benefits. Plug in different scenarios, such as retirement ages or projected earnings, to get an idea of how such things might change your future benefit amounts. You can find it at www. socialsecurity.gov/estimator.

Your benefits are based on your earnings, so you should create your personal my Social Security account to verify that your earnings were reported correctly.

You should also visit Social Security’s financial planning website at www.socialsecurity.gov/planners. It provides detailed information about how marriage, widowhood, divorce, self-employment, government service, and other life or career events can affect your Social Security.

If you want more information about the role of Social Security in women’s lives today, Social Security has a booklet that you may find useful. It is called Social Security: What Every Woman Should Know. You can find it online at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10127.html.

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ASK SOCIAL SECURITY – The answers are waiting for you of a loved one’s daily life.

I am asked all the time, where is the best place to get information about Social Security or how can I understand such a complex program? My answer, go to the Social Security webpage and all you need is there. Even if you don’t know what question to asked, you can read our Frequently Asked Question section and see what other people considered important to ask.

In our continual effort to improve our world-class customer service, my Social Security has added Dynamic Help. This feature automatically engages if a user remains on the same page without activity for an extended period of time. Dynamic Help is a user-friendly feature that you can rely on if you are having trouble navigating our website or have a question.

Visit www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount to try it.

Now is the perfect time to ask Social Security a question. Chances are, you are curious about retire-

ment planning, disability benefits or Medicare coverage — some of which either affect you directly or are part

Interactive media like Dynamic Help is for adults of all ages. It’s interesting to note that people between the ages of 60 and 69 make up the largest population of my Social Security customers. This is proof that

retirees are getting more internet savvy as they use our empowering online resources.

If you’re in a rush and don’t have time to take advantage of our new Dynamic Help feature, you can still check out our Frequently Asked Questions anytime without signing up or signing in. Simply go to www. socialsecurity.gov/faq and choose from the many categories like: Social Security Card Number Disability Retirement Spouses, Children, and Survivors Medicare Your Social Security Payments Same-Sex Couples Taxes, Credits, and Funding Between Dynamic Help and our Frequently Asked Questions, Social Security can answer many of your questions. Remember, your starting point for retirement and benefit help is always www.socialsecurity.gov.

Social Security and same-sex marriage The Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, holding that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry in all states, resulted in Social Security recognizing more same-sex couples as married. This is important for determining entitlement to Social Security benefits or eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. We recently updated instructions for employees to process claims and appeals when a determination of marital status is necessary.

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As part of the new instructions, we have: • Removed from our policy any mention or consideration of the dates when states first recognized samesex marriages from other states.

These dates are no longer relevant.

• Added the dates when some foreign jurisdictions allowed same-sex marriage, thereby eliminating the need for a case-specific legal review in many foreign same sex marriage claims.

• Updated and simplified our proce-

dures for processing claims involving a transgendered or intersex person, allowing these individuals to self-identify as members of a same or opposite-sex marriage.

• Streamlined and clarified the policy instructions, addressing questions raised by advocates and employees.

We encourage anyone who believes they may be eligible for benefits to apply now. Learn more at www.socialsecurity.gov/ same-sexcouples.

June 2016 goskagit.com

What is FICA and why does it keep taking part of my paycheck?

Receiving your first paycheck is an empowering milestone. Do you remember being a little shocked by the taxes that Uncle Sam takes out of each paycheck? Understanding how important your contribution is takes some of the sting away because your taxes are helping millions of Americans — and financially securing your today and tomorrow.

By law, employers must withhold Social Security taxes from workers’ paychecks. While usually referred to as “Social Security taxes” on an employee’s pay statement, sometimes the deduction is labeled as “FICA.” This stands for Federal Insurance Contributions Act, a reference to the original Social Security Act. In some cases, you will see “OASDI,” which stands for Old Age Survivors Disability Insurance, the official name for the Social Security Insurance program.

The taxes you pay now mean a lifetime of protection — for retirement in old age or in the event of disability. And when you die, your family (or future family) may be able to receive survivors benefits based on your work as well.

Right now you probably have family members — grandparents, for example — who already are enjoying Social Security benefits that your Social Security taxes help provide. Social Security is solvent now and will be through 2034. At that point, we’ll be able to fund retirement benefits at 79 percent unless changes are made to the law. In the past, Social Security has evolved to meet the needs of a changing population — and you can count on Social security in the future.

Because you’re a long way

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from retirement, you may have a tough time seeing the value of benefit payments that could be many decades in the future. But keep in mind that the Social Security taxes you’re paying can provide valuable disability or survivors benefits in the event the unexpected happens. Studies show that of today’s 20-year-olds, about one in four will become disabled, and about one in eight will die, before reaching retirement.

Be warned: if an employer offers to unlawfully pay you “under the table,” you should refuse. They may try to sell it as a benefit to you since you get a few extra dollars in your net pay. But you’re really only allowing the employer to deprive you from earning your Social Security credits. This could keep you from qualifying for any benefits, or result in you receiving less than you should.

Also, don’t carry your Social Security card around with you. It’s an important document you should safeguard and protect. If it’s lost or stolen, it could fall into the hands of an identity thief.

Check out our webinar, “Social Security 101: What’s in it for me?”

The webinar explains what you need to know about Social Security.

You can find it at http://go.usa. gov/cdNeY. If you’d like to learn a little more about Social Security and exactly what you’re earning for yourself by paying Social Security taxes, take a look at our online booklet, How You Earn Credits, at www. socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10072. html.

You can also learn more at www.socialsecurity.gov.

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Protect Your Social Security Number And Protect Yourself From Identity Theft If you watch the news, listen to the radio or read a newspaper, magazine or the Internet, then you probably are aware that identity theft is one of the fastest-growing crimes in America. While recovering from an act of identity theft can be difficult, there are steps you can take to help protect yourself from identity thieves.

Identity theft often starts with a Social Security number, or SSN. Once a thief has a valid number, he or she can open or reactivate credit card accounts in your name, apply for federal or state benefits or make changes in your financial accounts. That nine-digit SSN is a valuable first step in assuming someone’s identity. And it is also why protecting your Social Security number, or SSN, is the first step in preventing identity theft.

Safeguard your SSN. You should treat your Social Security number as confidential information and avoid giving it out unnecessarily. Keep your Social Security card in a safe place with your other important personal papers. Do not carry it with you unless you need to show it to an employer or service provider. The fewer people with access to your number, the safer you are.

Shred unneeded documents. Don’t just throw away paperwork that includes your name, Social Security number or other personal information on it – shred it. When you get junk mail, shred it before you toss it. If you don’t have a shredder, try ripping your paperwork several times and placing half of each document in different trash bags. If you fail to shred it, it could become free credit for someone else.

Monitor your credit records. Each of the major credit reporting services are now required by law to provide you with a free 10

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credit report each year upon request. This is a convenient way to see if anyone other than yourself or other authorized persons are using your credit. You can contact Equifax, Experian and Transunion and ask for your free reports. Just go to the website set up by the three credit agencies, www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp, to request a free credit report.

Social Security also wants you to know that we work hard to protect your number from misuse. For example, we require and carefully inspect proof of identity from people who apply to replace lost or stolen Social Security cards, or who request corrected cards. One reason we do this is to prevent people from fraudulently obtaining Social Security numbers to establish false identities.

We maintain the privacy of Social Security records unless a law requires us to disclose information to another government agency or if your information is needed to conduct Social Security or other government health or welfare program business.

For more information on identity theft and safeguarding your Social Security number, visit our online leaflet Identity Theft And Your Social Security Number at www. socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10064.html.

Or you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask for the leaflet entitled Identity Theft And Your Social Security Number.

If you think that you have been a victim of identity theft, you should contact the Federal Trade Commission at: Internet – www. consumer.gov/idtheft or Telephone – 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338; TTY – 202326-2502). The Federal Trade Commission is the federal clearinghouse for identity theft complaints.

WHAT MILITARY SERVICE PERSONNEL SHOULD KNOW ABOUT SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS President Bush created the Commission on Care for America’s Returning Wounded Warriors to increase access to benefits and services for returning service members who have been wounded.

We at Social Security are doing all we can to make sure members of the military service, and their families, understand just how Social Security disability benefits can help wounded service personnel. In fact, Social Security disability benefits are expedited for injured military service personnel, regardless of where or how the injury occurred.

Like most civilian workers, current military personnel pay Social Security taxes and earn Social Security coverage. In fact, earnings for active duty military service or active duty training have been covered under Social Security since 1957. Also, service personnel who had inactive duty service in the reserves (such as weekend drills) have had Social Security coverage since 1988.

The number of credits an individual needs to qualify for Social Security depends on his or her age. For example, if a person becomes disabled before age 24, then he or she would generally need only about one and a half years of recent work.

If the wounded service member has sufficient work, then Social Security must decide whether he or she meets Social Security’s definition of disability. Basically, if the person cannot work because of a physical or mental condition that is expected to last at least one year, then he or she may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits.

Even if the wounded service member is still receiving pay while disabled, he or she can receive disability benefits. For example, if a wounded soldier is recovering in a hospital, and is expected to be unable to work for at least a year, he or she may be eligible to receive disability benefits even though military pay continues.

It is important to understand that our disability rules are different from those of private plans and other government agencies. Social Security provides benefits for total disability, not partial disability. The fact that someone qualifies for disability from another agency — such as the Department of Veteran Affairs — does not mean that he or she will be automatically eligible for ­disability benefits from Social Security.

If you or someone you know is a wounded service member, file for Social Security disability benefits as soon as possible.

For more information, visit our website www. socialsecurity.gov/woundedwarriors. You can also call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).

June 2016 goskagit.com

Social Security Benefits U.S. Citizens Outside The United States

Over half a million people who live outside the United States receive some kind of Social Security benefit, including retired and disabled workers, as well as spouses, widows, widowers, and children. The top two countries that people live in and receive benefits – Mexico and the Philippines.

If you’re a U.S. citizen, you may receive your Social Security payments outside the United States as long as you are eligible. When we say you are “outside the United States,” we mean you’re not in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, or American Samoa. Once you’ve been outside the United States for at least 30 days in a row, we consider you to be outside the country.

IF you are traveling outside the U.S. for an extended amount of time, it’s important that you tell Social Security the date you plan to leave and the date you plan to come back, no matter how long you expect your travel to last. Then we can let you

mgoskagit.com June 2016

know whether your Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will be affected.

You can use this online tool to find out if you can continue to receive your Social Security benefits if you are outside the United States or are planning to go outside the United States at www.socialsecurity. gov/international/payments_outsideUS.html.

This tool will help you find out if your retirement, disability, or survivor’s payments will continue as long as you are eligible, stop after six consecutive calendar months, or if certain country specific restrictions apply.

When you live outside the United States, periodically we’ll send you a questionnaire. Your answers will help us figure out if you still are eligible for benefits. Return the questionnaire to the office that sent it as soon as possible. If you don’t, your payments will stop. In addition to responding to the questionnaire, notify us promptly about changes that could affect your payments.

You can also read the publication titled Your Payments While You Are

Outside the United States at www. socialsecurity.gov/pubs.

Social Security is with you

through life’s journey, even if that journey takes you outside the United States.

Timing counts when it comes to your social security benefit Social Security can be one of your most valuable retirement assets. The decision of when you start taking your benefit impacts how much you’ll receive.

Call or visit today, and learn how your decision impacts your overall retirement income strategy.

Final decisions about Social Security filing strategies always rest with you and should always be based on your specific needs and health considerations. For more information, visit the Social Security Administration website at www.socialsecurity.gov.

Troy W Kunz, CFP®, AAMS® Financial Advisor .

1120 12th Street Anacortes, WA 98221 360-293-4581

www.edwardjones.com Member SIPC

Social Security Administration

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Q and A with SSA Question:

Although I stopped working a few years ago, I had additional seasonal earnings after my retirement.

Will my monthly Social Security retirement benefit increase?

Answer:

When a person who has worked and paid Social Security taxes dies, are benefits payable on that person’s record?

Answer:

Social Security survivors benefits can be paid to:

Possibly. And, you can get Social Security retirement or survivors benefits and work at the same time. Each year, we review the records for all working Social Security recipients to see if additional earnings may increase their monthly benefit amounts. If an increase is due, we calculate a new benefit amount and pay the increase retroactive to January following the year of earnings. You can learn more about how work affects your benefits by reading our publication, How Work Affects Your Benefits, at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs.

Question:

I prefer reading by audio book. Does Social Security have audio publications?

Answer:

Yes, we have many helpful publications you can listen to. You can find them at www.socialsecurity. gov/pubs. Some of the publications available include What You Can Do Online, How Social Security Can Help You When a Family Member Dies, Apply Online for Social Security Benefits, and Your Social Security Card and Number. You can listen now at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs.

Question:

How are my retirement benefits calculated?

Answer:

Your Social Security benefits are based on earnings averaged over your lifetime. Your actual earnings are first adjusted or “indexed” to account for changes in average wages since the year the earnings were received. Then we calculate your average monthly indexed earnings during the 35 years in which you earned the most. We apply a formula to these earnings and arrive at your basic benefit. This is the amount you would receive at your full retirement age. You may be able to estimate your benefit by using our Retirement Estimator, which offers estimates based on your Social Security earnings. You can find the Retirement Estimator at www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator.

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Question:

Social Security Administration

• A widow or widower — unreduced benefits at full retirement age, or reduced benefits as early as age 60; • A disabled widow or widower — as early as age 50; • A widow or widower at any age if he or she takes care of the deceased’s child who is under age 16 or disabled, and receiving Social Security benefits; • Unmarried children under 18, or up to age 19 if they are attending high school full time. Under certain circumstances, benefits can be paid to stepchildren, grandchildren or adopted children; • Children at any age who were disabled before age 22 and remain disabled; and • Dependent parents age 62 or older.

Even if you are divorced, you still may qualify for survivors benefits. For more information, go to www.socialsecurity.gov.

Question:

What is the monthly premium for Medicare Part B?

Answer:

The standard Medicare Part B premium for medical insurance in 2016 is $121.90.

Some people who collect Social Security benefits and have their Part B premiums deducted from their payment will pay less. This is because there was not a cost of living increase this year for Social Security benefits. Social Security will send a letter to all people who collect Social Security benefits (and those who pay higher premiums because of their income) that states each person’s exact Part B premium amount for 2016.

Since 2007, higher-income beneficiaries have paid a larger percentage of their Medicare Part B premium than most. Depending on their income, these higher-income beneficiaries will pay premiums that amount to 35, 50, 65 or 80 percent of the total cost of coverage. The true cost of Medicare Part B each month is $487.60 per month in 2016. However, most of that cost is covered by the government. You can get details at www.medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) (TTY 1-877-4862048).

Question:

Question:

I work in retirement. How much can I earn and still collect full Social Security retirement benefits?

I was hurt on the job and can’t work. How do I start my application for Social Security disability benefits?

Answer:

Answer:

Social Security uses the formulas below, depending on your age, to determine how much you can earn before we must reduce your benefit: If you are younger than full retirement age: $1 in benefits will be deducted for each $2 you earn above the annual limit. For 2016, that limit is $15,720.

In the year you reach your full retirement age: $1 in benefits will be deducted for each $3 you earn above a different limit, but we count only earnings before the month you reach full retirement age. For 2016, this limit is $41,880.

Starting with the month you reach full retirement age: you will get your benefits with no limit on your earnings.

If you have a disability that qualifies, you can apply online at www.socialsecurity.gov/ applyfordisability. There are several advantages to applying online for disability benefits. You can start your disability claim immediately. There is no need to wait for an appointment. You can apply from the convenience of your home or on any computer.

And, you avoid trips to a Social Security office, saving you time and money. You can use the online application to apply for benefits if you are age 18 or older, have a medical condition that has prevented you from working or is expected to prevent you from working for at least 12 months or result in death, and reside in the United States or one of its territories or commonwealths. .

Find out your full retirement age at www. socialsecurity.gov/pubs/ageincrease.htm.

June 2016 goskagit.com