June 2015 Social Security

80

years

1935-2015

Social Security 2015

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

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Think You’re Getting Old, Social Security Turns 80

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Want To Know More About Your Future Benefits Now – Open A My Social Security Account

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Women And Social Security

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Your Spouse May Be Covered By Social Security

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Social Security Delivers The Most Popular Baby Names In Washington For 2014

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Social Security Provides Support With Survivors Benefits

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Find Security With A Solid Retirement Plan

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Medicare – Half A Century Of Helping Protect Our People

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Medicare Open Enrollment Begins October 15 – Start Reviewing Your Plan

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Are Your Social Security Benefits Taxable?

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Can’t Work Due To Disability? Maybe Social Security Can Help

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Don’t Be Stressed Over Fraud

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Eight Trivia Questions For The 80th Anniversary

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Think you’re getting old, Social Security turns 80 accurately calculate your retirement benefit. We provide disability benefits to injured and chronically ill workers and their families. We provide survivor benefits to widows, widowers, and the minors of deceased workers. We also provide Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to those with low income and resources, and extra help with Medicare prescription drug costs for people who qualify.

Eighty years ago, on August 14, 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law.

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s the face of America has evolved over the course of the last eight decades, so has Social Security. Social Security has expanded its safety net to provide benefits for retirees, people with disabilities and the chronically ill, spouses and children of deceased workers. The agency has evolved to serve the needs of a changing America. Now, we are celebrating this historic anniversary by looking at both our successful past, and the path to an even brighter future.

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Social Security is there for you during all stages of life. Right from the beginning, we issue a unique Social Security number to most newborns when an application is taken at the hospital. This allows us to track your income over your working career and

In our decades of experience, Social Security has evolved to meet the fast-paced demands of the digital world.

Creating an online My Social Security account allows you to view your Social Security Statement, verify the accuracy of your earnings record, and get estimates of your future monthly benefit. Once you begin receiving Social Security benefits, you can use your online account to manage your record. You can change your address and phone number, check your benefit information, update your electronic payment method or obtain an instant benefit verification letter or replacement Medicare card. If you haven’t already, you can easily sign up for a My Social Security account at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.

Our safe and secure online services allow you to apply for retirement, Medicare, and disability benefits from the comfort of your home. You can quickly complete an online retirement application at www.socialsecurity.gov/ applyonline.

We look to the next 80 years with a renewed commitment to proudly serve Social Security customers throughout their lifetime, when and where they need us. See how Social Security has evolved over the years at www.socialsecurity. gov/history.

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Want To Know More About Your Future Benefits Now – Open a My Social Security Account

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he My Social Security account is a personalized online account that people can use beginning in their working years and continuing throughout the time they start receiving Social Security benefits.

If you have not started benefits you can get a personalized Online Social Security Statement. The online statement provides eligible 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.

You can see how much money you made year by year. In addition, the portal includes links to information about other online services, Social Security Card, Retirement, Disability, Supplemental Security Income, and Medicare.

If you are already receiving benefits you can access your benefit verification letter, payment history, and earnings record instantly using your online account. Social Security beneficiaries also can change their address, direct deposit information and request replacement Medicare card. In the future, additional services will be added.

People age 18 and older can sign up for an account and after completing the secure verification process, create a My Social Security account with a unique user name and password to access their information.

For more information, please go to www. socialsecurity.gov/myaccount/

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Women T

and Social Security

he Social Security program treats all workers — men and women — exactly the same in terms of the benefits they can receive. Women need to familiarize themselves with programs that may assist them with their particular circumstances. Understanding the benefits may make a significant difference in their lives.

Social Security plays 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. With the national average life expectancy for women in the United States rising, many women will have decades to enjoy retirement.

Women represent 57 percent of all Social

Security beneficiaries age 62 and older and approximately 68 percent of beneficiaries age 85 and older.

Today the average life expectancy of a 65 year old woman is age 86. 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.

In 2012, for unmarried women – including widows – age 65 and older, Social Security comprises 50.4 percent of their total income. In contrast, Social Security benefits comprise only 36 percent of unmarried elderly men’s income and only 30 percent of elderly couples’ income.

In 2012, 49.6 percent of all elderly unmarried females receiving Social Security benefits relied on Social Security for 90 percent or more of their income.

What you can do You can start with using our Social Security’s Retirement Estimator. In just a few minutes, you can get a personalized, instant estimate of your retirement benefits.You can find it at www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator.

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 also 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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Your Spouse May Be Covered By Social Security

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f you have a spouse who does not earn an income or who earns less than you do, your spouse (including a samesex spouse) may be entitled to Social Security spouse’s 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. Or 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 is, Social Security will look at all possibilities to ensure 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 spousal retirement benefit at your spouse’s “full retirement age.” Not sure what the full retirement age is? 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

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spouse can receive at full retire- to apply now. Learn more at ment age can be as much as www.socialsecurity.gov/sameone half of your full benefit. If sexcouples. your spouse chooses to file for benefits early, 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.

Learn more at www.socialsecurity.gov.

If you have already reached full retirement age, you can apply for retirement benefits and request to have the payments suspended until as late as age 70. This would let you earn delayed retirement credits that will mean higher payments later, but still would allow your spouse to receive a spouse’s benefit on your record.

People can also apply for spouse’s benefits based on the earnings record of an ex-spouse if married for at least 10 years.

Spouses can consider a number of options and variables.

We make it easier to navigate them. A good place to start is our benefits planner at www. socialsecurity.gov/planners.

Look under 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.

Due to a Supreme Court decision, we now are able to pay benefits to some same-sex couples. We encourage people who think they may be eligible

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Schedule a visit (360) 856-0404

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Social Security Delivers the Most Popular Baby Names in Washington for 2014 What are the top baby names for Washington State?

Olivia and Liam topped the list.

The top five boys and girls names for 2014 in Washington were:

Boys:

Girls:

1) Liam

1) Olivia

2) Benjamin

2) Emma

3) Alexander

3) Sophia

4) Noah

4) Ava

5) William

5) Emily

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ow does Washington compare to the rest of the country?

Check out Social Security’s website -- www.socialsecurity. gov-- to see the top baby names for 2014. Nationally, Noah and Emma are number one.

Social Security has a new addition this year, Social Security Matters. The agency’s newborn interactive blog located at http:// blog.socialsecurity.gov. This is where the public can engage in conversations with the agency about what matters most. The blog encourages discussion and offers important solutions. Just like being a new parent, making benefit decisions can be overwhelming.

The blog is the latest in a long line of tools Social Security offers to help educate the public about their benefits and how to access agency services.

In addition to each state’s top baby names, Social Security’s website has a list of the 1,000 most popular boys’ and girls’ names for 2014 and offers lists of baby names for each year since 1880.

To read about this year’s winner for the biggest jump in popularity and to see how pop culture affects baby names, go to www. socialsecurity.gov/news/press/releases.html#!/post/52015-1.

FIND SECURITY WITH A SOLID RETIREMENT PLAN

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chieving financial independence is key to enjoying a satisfying retirement. Social Security has many tools to help you plan for your future. Today in Washington State there are over 1.3 million people receiving Social Security payments.

We expect that number only to climb fast over the next 15 years.

You need to be ready.

you wait until age 70 to start your benefits (beyond age 70 you do not earn extra credits) you will maximize your monthly payments.

Choosing when to retire is an important decision. At our Retirement Estimator, which you can access at www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator, you can get an estimate of your future benefit amount. You can use “what if” scenarios to see how Prepare for a secure, comfortyour benefit amounts will change able retirement by visiting www. with different retirement dates and socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. future earnings estimates. The key Once there, open a secure My Social Security account and assess your to understanding when to file for financial needs. You’ll get immedi- benefits is understanding how your benefits change for each month you ate access to your personal Social file early or for each month you wait Security Statement, your earnings beyond your full retirement age. record, and an estimate of your retirement benefits at age 62, at Also, visit www.myra.gov to your full retirement age, and at age check out myRA, a new retirement 70. You can also ensure your earnsavings option from the Departings are correct, since your future benefits are based on your earnings ment of the Treasury for the millions of Americans who face barriers record. to saving for retirement. myRA is a simple, secure, and affordable way You can begin getting Social Security retirement benefits as early to help you take control of your future. as 62. However, we will reduce your benefits by as much as 30 Once you are ready to retire, appercent below what you would get ply at www.socialsecurity.gov/reif you waited to retire until your full retirement age. If you wait until tire. Our online retirement application is the easiest and fastest way to your full retirement age (66 for most people and age 67 for people apply for Social Security retirement born after 1960), you will get your benefits. It can take you as little as 15 minutes to complete. There are full benefit. For every month you no forms to sign, and usually no file before your full retirement age documentation is required. Addiyour payment is reduced by approximately one-half of one percent. tionally, you can apply online from On the other side of full retirement the convenience of your home. age for every month you wait to With all of these resources in file past that date, your benefits are place, you too can prepare to reap increased by two-thirds of one per- the joys of a financially secure retirecent. You can get more than 100% ment. Learn more at www.socialseof your benefits by waiting. We curity.gov. increase your benefit because you earn “delayed retirement credits.” If

June 2015 goskagit.com

Social Security Provides Support With Survivors Benefits I n the unfortunate event of a family member’s death, we want you to know that Social Security is here to help. In addition to the emotional difficulty family members’ experience, there is often a financial burden as well, especially if the family’s main wage earner dies. In such cases, Social Security survivor benefits will help. It is there to help support the family in times of need.

Today, in the state of Washington, there are many who depend on the Social Security benefits provided by a loved one who has passed.

Over 110,000 surviving spouses and children receive monthly benefit payments. Those payments add up to over one and a half billion dollars per year.

Did you know that nearly every child in America could get Social Security survivors benefits if a working parent dies? In addition, Social Security pays more benefits to children than any other federal program. Today, nearly two millions children receive benefits off a deceased parents record each month.

Although many people think Social Security is just a retirement program, you should know that Social Security also provides survivors insurance benefits for workers and their families. If you’re like most people, the value of the survivors insurance you have under Social Security is probably more than the value of any individual life insurance you may own. Moreover, you don’t even need to sign up for a separate policy; by working and paying Social Security tax, you are most likely already insured without even knowing it.

Family members who may be able to receive survivors

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benefits based on your work record include a widow or widower, unmarried children up to age 19 and still in high school, and under certain circumstances, stepchildren, grandchildren, step grandchildren, and adopted children.

Another special program Social Security uses to support the family is dependent parent benefits.

If your child dies and you are dependent on him or her for more than one half of your support, you can collect a Social Security benefit from the adult child’s record. Social Security pays monthly benefits to parents on the record of a deceased worker under the following conditions: The parent must be at least 62 years old and not have remarried since the worker’s death; The parent cannot be entitled to his/her own, higher Social Security benefit; The parent must be able to show that he/she was receiving one-half of his/her financial support from the worker at the time of death; The proof of support must be submitted within two years of the worker’s death.

If you’d like to learn more about survivor benefits, and how to apply, you should read our publication, Survivors Benefits, available at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs.

You can find additional useful information, such as our survivors’ planner and information about how to apply for survivors benefits, at www.socialsecurity.gov/pgm/ survivors.htm.

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MEDICARE - Half A Century Of Helping Protect Our People

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n 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, 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.

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.

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.

Fifty years ago, Medicare didn’t have A recent survey to Medicare as many options as it does today. As the beneficiaries asked: Why do you love largest public health program in the Medicare? One person stated, “It gives United States, Medicare includes four peace of mind not only for seniors, but parts to keep you covered: for veterans and disabled as well.”

Another satisfied recipient replied, “I Part A is insurance that covers inpatient hospital stays, outpatient care most likely wouldn’t be alive today in nursing facilities, hospice, and home without Medicare.” These are just two of the millions who endorse Medicare’s health care.

For 50 years, the Medicare program half-century strong success story. has provided essential health care Part B includes medical insurance services for millions of people who are As Medicare celebrates 50 years, for doctor’s services, medical supplies, age 65 or older or disabled. Without outpatient care, and preventive services. Social Security commemorates 80 years.

Medicare, many people would not be Learn more about Social Security’s 80th able to pay for hospital care, doctor’s Part C is a Medicare advantage anniversary at www.socialsecurity. visits, medical tests, preventive services, plan that allows you to choose your gov/80thanniversary. or prescription drugs. health care coverage through a provider

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Medicare Open Enrollment Begins ARE YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY October 15 – Start Reviewing Your Plan BENEFITS TAXABLE?

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ith more benefits, better more accurate cost estimates and choices and lower costs, coverage information. the Social Security AdministraIf you need help finding the tion is encouraging people with right plan, you can contact the Medicare and their families to Statewide Health Insurance Benstart reviewing drug and health efits Advisors (SHIBA). SHIBA is plan coverage options for 2016. part of the Washington State InThe Medicare Open Enrollment surance Commissioner’s consumPeriod starts October 15 and will er protection services designed end December 7. This will give to help answer your health care seniors and people with disabili- questions. You can get free, unties more time to compare and biased assistance with Medicare find the best plan that meets their health care choices using their unique needs. website at http://www.insurUsing Medicare’s Plan Finder ance.wa.gov/shiba/index or – available at www.medicare. call 800-562-6900. gov/find-a-plan – can help you find the best plan in your area.

You can also see if your current plan is highly rated or may have some issues. You have the option to complete a general or personalized plan search. A personalized search may provide you with

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Each year there are changes to Medicare programs and it is important to keep up and understand how the changes can benefit or cost you more money. Visit www.medicare.gov or www. socialsecurity.gov for more information.

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f you have recently begun receiving Social Security benefits or plan to apply in the near future, you may be wondering: are Social Security benefits taxable?

The short answer is: sometimes.

Some people have to pay federal income taxes on their Social Security benefits. This usually happens only if you have other substantial income (such as wages, self-employment, interest, dividends and other taxable income that must be reported on your tax return) in addition to your Social Security benefits.

file a joint return, and your combined income is between $32,000 and $44,000, you may have to pay income tax on up to 50 percent of your benefits. If your combined income is more than $44,000, then up to 85 percent of your benefits may be taxable.

If you think you are going to pay income taxes on your Social Security Benefits, you can request that part of your monthly payment be withheld by calling our toll free number 800-7721213.

In January, you will receive a Social Security Benefit Statement (SSA-1099) showing the amount There is never a case when of the benefits you received last a person pays tax on more than year. You can use this statement, 85 percent of his or her Social when completing your federal Security benefits, based on income tax return to find out Internal Revenue Service (IRS) whether some of your benefits rules. Now, let’s get down to the are subject to federal income numbers. tax. If you didn’t receive it, you can request one at www.

If you file a federal tax return as an individual and your socialsecurity.gov/1099. income is between $25,000 and Are your Social Security $34,000, you may have to pay benefits taxable? Maybe. To income tax on up to 50 percent learn more, read page 14 of of your benefits. If your income is our booklet, Retirement Benefits, more than $34,000, then up to available at www.socialsecurity.

85 percent of your benefits may gov/pubs or visit www.irs. be taxable. gov/ to obtain more detailed information on the subject.

If you are married and you

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CAN’T WORK DUE TO DISABILITY? MAYBE SOCIAL SECURITY CAN HELP Disability is something most people don’t like to discuss. But if you are not able to work because you have a disabling condition that is expected to last at least one year or result in death, then it’s a subject you may not be able to avoid.

In the state of Washington there are over 179,500 workers receiving monthly payments from Social Security Disability benefits. The average payment is about $1,180 per month.

Average Monthly Payment in Key Counties – King.............................................. $1,210 Pierce............................................ $1,196 Skagit............................................ $1,182 Spokane ....................................... $1,112 Snohomish..................................... $1,241 Whatcom....................................... $1,101 Yakima.......................................... $1,055 You can apply for disability benefits even if you are still working. Generally, your wages would need to be below $1,090 or $1,820 for a blind individual: however, there are some exceptions.

You should apply for disability benefits as soon as you become disabled. It may take you months to obtain all your medical records and for us to process your application.

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Information we need includes:

that you have; we can make copies of your records and return your originals; - the names, addresses, and phone numbers for any doctors, hospitals, medical facilities, treatment centers, or providers that may have information related to your disabling condition; and

need, it will probably speed up the time it takes to make a decision.

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 your claim is denied, you can file your appeal online as well. More than 90,000 - the names, addresses, and phone people use our online appeals application numbers of your recent employers each month. We’ve certainly come a long and the dates you worked for each way since introducing the online appeal employer. option in September 2007. Throughout the nation, applicants, their representatives, If you don’t have all of the information third parties, groups, and organizations use handy, you should still apply for benefits the online appeal process to request review right away. Social Security can assist you in of disability decisions. getting the necessary documents, including obtaining your medical records.

If you prefer, you may call our tollJust keep in mind free number, 1-800-772-1213, to make an that if you do have appointment to apply at your local Social the information we 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 be able to work again. In fact, 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/disability_ starter_kits.htm.

- medical records or evidence

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Don’t Be Stressed Over Fraud If you fall victim to fraud, it can really stress you out, not to mention damage your credit score and wallet. We encourage you to be cautious of suspicious email, letters, and phone calls or individuals that ask for your personal information.

Generally, Social Security will not call or email you and ask for your personal information, such as your Social Security number or banking information. If someone contacts you and asks for this kind of information and claims to be from Social Security, do not give out your personal information without first contacting us to verify the validity of the request. It could be an identity thief phishing for your personal information. Contact our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).

Report suspicious calls to our Fraud Hotline at 1-800-269-0271 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, or online at http://oig.ssa. gov using the “Fraud, Waste, and Abuse” link. When making a report, please include as many of the following details as possible:

office and the Better Business Bureau. You can visit the Office of the Inspector General online at http://oig.ssa.gov and select the “Fraud, Waste, or Abuse” link. Learn more about identity theft and misleading advertising by reading our publications on the subjects at www. socialsecurity.gov/pubs. You may have enough stress already. Do not get stressed over fraud.

The alleged suspect(s) and victim(s) names, addresses, phone numbers, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers; Description of the fraud and the location where the fraud took place; When and how the fraud was committed; Why the person committed the fraud (if known); and Who else has knowledge of the potential violation?

Identity theft is one of the fastest-growing crimes in America. If you or anyone you know has been the victim of identity theft, you should contact the Federal Trade Commission at www.idtheft.gov, or call 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338); TTY 1-866-653-4261.

Misleading advertisers may victimize people who receive Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. Such companies offer Social Security services for a fee, even though the same services are available directly from us free of charge. Especially upsetting are ads that make it appear as if they came directly from Social Security. By law, such advertisements must indicate that the company is not affiliated with Social Security.

If you see, what you believe is misleading advertising for Social Security services from a company that fails to say it is not affiliated with Social Security, report it to us at: Office of the Inspector General, Fraud Hotline, Social Security Administration, P.O. Box 17768, Baltimore, MD 21235. This goes for advertisements in print, online, or on television or radio. Also, advise your state’s attorney general or consumer affairs

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Eight Trivia Questions for the 80th Anniversary 1.

In 1935, what budget was given to the newly created Social Security board?

How many people tried to use the most-used Social Security number of all time?

A. $0

A. 20

B. $50,000

B. 453

C. $100,000

C. 1,000

D. $250,000

D. 40,000

In 1935, the newly created Social Security Board had no budget with which to begin operations. The proposed budget for the Social Security Administration for fiscal year 2015 is $12.5 billion.

2.

What was the original percentage of payroll tax withholding for Social Security?

A. 1 percent B. 2 percent C. 3 percent D. 5 percent Payroll tax withholding for Social Security began January 1, 1937. The original Social Security contribution rates were 1 percent for the employee and 1 percent for the employer on wages up to $3,000. In 2015, the contribution rates are 6.2 percent for both the employee and the employer on wages up to $118,500.

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3.

In 1938, a wallet manufacturing company included a sample Social Security card in each wallet.

The sample card had the actual Social Security number of the company’s vice president’s secretary.

Until the number was voided, more than 40,000 people had attempted to use that Social Security number.

Twelve people were still trying to use it as late as 1977.

4.

In what year did Social Security begin using computer systems?

A. 1949 B. 1956 C. 1962 D. 1971 On February 27, 1956, Social Security’s first electronic computer system, an IBM 705, posted earnings records, computed benefit amounts, and reinstated incorrectly reported earnings.

5.

When did the Department of Defense first begin using the Social Security number instead of a serial number to identify military personnel?

A. 1954 B. 1962 C. 1969

7.

How many possible combinations does the 9-digit Social Security number have?

A. 650 million B. 724 million C. 876 million D. 1 billion

In 1969, the Department of Defense began using the Social Security number instead of a military service or serial number to identify personnel in the armed forces.

Social Security has issued more than 453 million different Social Security numbers. There are about one billion possible combinations of the Social Security number—giving us enough new numbers for future generations.

6.

8.

D. 1974

How many phone calls have been placed to Social Security’s 800 number?

How much money has Social Security paid in benefits?

A. $125 million

A. 1.3 billion

B. $40 billion

B. 2.2 billion

C. $15.2 trillion

C. 3.4 billion

D. $92 trillion

D. 4.2 billion Social Security implemented its nationwide 800-number customer service number in October 1988. Since then, there have been more than 2.2 billion phone calls. More than 6,000 employees are currently trained to answer calls.

Since it began in 1935, Social Security has collected $18.0 trillion (largely from Social Security taxes paid by workers and employers) and paid out $15.2 trillion in benefits and administrative costs.

June 2015 goskagit.com