| Social Security column By Karyl Richson Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Milwaukee, WI AUGUST 2013 |
IT’S BASEBALL SEASON! WHO’S ON FIRST? YOU ARE, WITH SOCIAL SECURITY
Who’s on first base? You are, when the time comes to do business with Social Security. We always place customer service first
and strive to hit a home run with every person we serve.
What’s on second? Our heavy-hitting team of top-rated online services, that’s what! For example, you can use my Social Security
to set up an account and get access to your Social Security Statement to see estimates of your future benefits. If you know your
bases are loaded and you are ready to retire, you can hit the ball out of the park with our online retirement application. You’ll find it
all at www.socialsecurity.gov.
And third base? I don’t know. It’s hard to know when the right time to retire may be. Or, whether retirement planning will even be
your first play with Social Security, given that we also pitch disability and survivors benefits. The future may be as unpredictable as
a World Series winner on opening day. But what we do know is that our online tools and services can help you plan for whatever
your Social Security needs may be throughout your lifetime.
The tried and true “Who’s On First” comedy routine made famous by Abbott and Costello is as American as baseball, apple pie,
and Social Security.
Baseball is an annual rite of summer and a game known for its numbers. Cal Ripken’s record 2,632 consecutive games played.
Joe DiMaggio’s 56-game hitting streak. These and countless other baseball statistics tell stories greater than the numbers
themselves. Mention any one of these 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 17 cents 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 58 million
Americans will receive $821 billion in Social Security benefits. The average monthly benefit for a retired worker in 2013 is $1,262.
An estimated 161 million workers are covered under Social Security — that’s 94 percent of the workforce. Of those, 51 percent of
workers have no private pension coverage and 34 percent have no savings set aside specifically for retirement. These and other
numbers make it easy to appreciate the value of Social Security.
Nine out of 10 Americans age 65 and older receive Social Security benefits. And among the unmarried, 46 percent rely on Social
Security benefits for 90 percent or more of their income.
Retirement benefits are just one of the many benefits Social Security provides. Disabled workers and their dependents account
for 19 percent of the total benefits paid, while survivors benefits account for 11 percent. 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. The dependent families of
these deceased workers are often eligible for survivors benefits.
Who’s on first is you. What’s on second is our suite of useful tools and information on all of our benefits, which you can find at
www.socialsecurity.gov. And third? We may not know, but in baseball and life, statistics can tell us the odds. Knowing these
numbers and visiting Social Security’s website for a little retirement and financial planning can help you know when to swing
away at retirement.
Learn more about Social Security by visiting www.socialsecurity.gov.
# # #
ALLOW SOCIAL SECURITY’S LIGHTHOUSE TO GUIDE YOU INTO A SMOOTH RETIREMENT
August 7 is National Lighthouse Day. The day honors and commemorates lighthouses, which for centuries have served as
beacons of light to guide ships safely through dark and uncertain waters.
August 21 is National Senior Citizen Day, which recognizes the contributions senior citizens make in communities across the
nation.
Social Security offers a bright beacon of light for seniors and younger captains who navigate the waters of retirement planning. In
fact, we have a few lighthouses that can illuminate the way to a happy retirement.
Lighthouse One: The Retirement Estimator is an easy way to get an instant, personalized estimate of your future Social Security
benefits. Just enter some basic information and the Estimator will use information on your Social Security record, along with what
you input, to give you a benefit estimate on the spot. You also can experiment with different scenarios, such as changing your
future earnings and retirement date. Check it out in English at www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator or in Spanish at www.
segurosocial.gov/calculador.
Lighthouse Two: my Social Security is an online account that allows you quick access to your personal Social Security
information. During your working years, once you create your online account, you can use my Social Security to view your Social
Security Statement to check your earnings record and see estimates of the future retirement, disability, and survivor benefits you
and your family may receive. If you already receive Social Security benefits, you can sign into your account to view, save, and print
your benefit verification letter, check your benefit payment information, and when necessary, change your address and phone
number in our records. You also can start or change your direct deposit information. Check it out at www.socialsecurity.
gov/myaccount.
Lighthouse Three: The online Benefit Application is the most convenient way to apply for Social Security retirement and spouse’s
benefits. You can apply from the comfort of your home — it’s fast, easy, and secure. It’s so easy, in fact, it can take you as little as
15 minutes to apply online. In most cases, once your application is submitted electronically, you’re done. There are no forms to
sign and usually no documentation is required. Social Security will process your application and contact you if any further
information is needed. Join the millions that have already applied online. Try it out when you’re ready to retire or just want to learn
more at www.socialsecurity.gov/pgm/retirement.htm.
You’ll find a host of other lighthouses at www.socialsecurity.gov to ensure your retirement plans don’t go off course. For example,
we offer an online library of topical publications you can read or listen to, and hundreds of frequently asked questions.
Whether you’re a new captain learning how to navigate the waters of financial planning, or a salty seadog ready for retirement,
Social Security’s online lighthouses are here to make sure you don’t crash on the jagged sea rocks of procrastination or shallow
straights of poor planning. The beacon is guiding you to www.socialsecurity.gov.
# # #
SPOUSES HAVE A SIGNIFICANT BENEFIT
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 have worked for a longer span of years. Or it could
be that one spouse stayed home to do the work of raising the children or caring for elderly family members while the other
focused on a career.
Regardless of your situation, Social Security will look at all possibilities to make sure both spouses receive the maximum benefit
possible.
Even if you have not paid Social Security taxes, it’s likely you’ll be eligible to receive benefits on your spouse’s record. If you did
work and pay into Social Security, we will check eligibility based on your work record and your spouse’s to see which amount is
higher.
You can apply for spouses benefits the same way that you apply for benefits on your own record. You can apply for reduced
benefits as early as age 62, or for 100 percent of your full retirement benefits at your “full retirement age. “ You can find your full
retirement age, based on your birth year, at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/ageincrease.htm.
The benefit amount you can receive as a spouse, if you have reached your full retirement age, can be as much as one half of your
spouse’s full benefit. If you opt for early retirement, your benefit may be as little as a third of your spouse’s full benefit amount.
If your spouse has already reached full retirement age but continues to work, your spouse can apply for retirement benefits and
request to have the payments suspended until as late as age 70. This would allow the worker to earn delayed retirement credits
that will mean higher payments later, but would allow you to receive your spouse’s benefit.
You can also apply for spouse benefits based on the earnings record of an ex-spouse or deceased spouse if you were 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 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.
Whether you receive benefits on a spouse’s record or your own, rest assured we will make sure you get the highest benefit we
can pay you. Learn more at www.socialsecurity.gov.
# # #
IN THE AFTERMATH OF DISASTER, SOCIAL SECURITY CAN HELP
For some, recent years have been made difficult by natural disasters. Fatal tornadoes in Oklahoma. Massive wildfires and strong
earthquakes in Colorado and California. Landslides in Washington. Flooding in Texas, North Carolina and Florida. Hail storms in
Tennessee. Hurricane Sandy along the Eastern seaboard. And now, we brace ourselves for yet another hurricane season.
In addition to the catastrophes caused by Mother Nature, there are man-made tragedies, such as the theater shooting in Aurora,
Colorado that killed 12 and injured 58; the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre in Newtown, Connecticut, which left 26
children and staff members dead; and the Boston Marathon explosions, killing three and injuring more than 260.
When disasters strike, despite the immediate response by so many well-intentioned people and organizations, it’s often hard to
know where to turn. But when it comes to the need for disability and survivors benefits, Social Security is always here to serve
those who require our services.
Dependent survivors of wage earners, such as spouses, minor children, and in some cases parents or grandchildren, may be
eligible for survivor benefits when the family’s provider dies. The sad fact is that about one in eight of today’s 20 year-old workers
will die before reaching age 67. The good news is about 96 percent of people age 20 to 49 who work have survivors insurance
protection if they die and leave behind young children and surviving spouses.
Social Security is here to help people inflicted with disabling conditions as well. In fact, disabled workers account for about 19
percent of all Social Security benefits paid. One in four of today’s 20 year-old workers will become disabled before reaching age
67.
Our emergency services reach more than the limited numbers of people who die or become disabled as a result of a tragedy. For
example, if you are still receiving a paper check and the delivery of mail is interrupted due to severe weather, in many cases any
Social Security office can issue an immediate replacement payment. To avoid this situation, however, switch to electronic
payments as required by law. Even if your mailbox — or home — is destroyed due to an emergency, or you are evacuated or
displaced, your payment will always arrive on time every time if you receive it electronically.
Sometimes, emergencies cause Social Security offices to close. If you want to check whether your local office is open, the best
place to go is to Social Security’s Office Closings And Emergency Information page at www.socialsecurity.gov/emergency. This
site is a great place to visit before you try to go to an office, especially when severe weather is affecting your area.
The emergency page also offers valuable FEMA advice that can help you prepare for or cope with emergency situations.
While we all hope and pray to avoid disasters, unfortunately, they are bound to occur. The best we can do is to be as prepared as
possible to deal with them if they happen. And know that Social Security will be here for you when you need it.
Be prepared. Visit www.socialsecurity.gov/emergency.
# # #
REFLECTING ON 78 YEARS OF SOCIAL SECURITY
By Carolyn W. Colvin
Acting Commissioner of Social Security
There are special moments when people look back and evaluate a life or an era: birthdays, class reunions, holidays,
anniversaries. Time is, after all, simply the stringing together of a number of events, some small, others significant. These events
can speed by quickly, but each one can have an effect on the greater whole. A lifetime of seemingly mundane events can pass in
what seems like the blink of an eye … until one looks back to examine them and realizes just how much has filled the space.
When I think about Social Security on the eve of the program’s 78th anniversary, I am amazed by what a significant difference it
has made, one event at a time, one person at a time. Over Social Security’s long history, every single monthly payment has made
a difference to an American somewhere. But when you string those payments together, it’s remarkable what a huge and positive
effect Social Security has had on the people and economy of our nation.
Social Security has been a cornerstone of our nation, touching the lives of almost every American at one time or another, for 78
years. It’s the most successful domestic program in our nation and, arguably, the world.
When President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law on August 14, 1935, he said, “The civilization of the
past hundred years, with its startling industrial changes, has tended more and more to make life insecure. Young people have
come to wonder what would be their lot when they came to old age. The man with a job has wondered how long the job would
last.” The same can be said of the current information age, with our rapidly evolving digital revolution and periods of economic
instability. Social Security is a safety net cast to help those who need it.
President Roosevelt knew that the cornerstone of his administration would offer security, but he also understood that Social
Security would need to evolve as new changes challenged the nation. “This law, too, represents a cornerstone in a structure
which is being built but is by no means complete,” he admitted. “It is, in short, a law that will take care of human needs and at the
same time provide the United States an economic structure of vastly greater soundness.”
Today, Social Security is much more than just a retirement program. We provide benefits to disabled individuals and their
families. We provide survivors benefits to widows, widowers and the minor children of deceased workers. We provide
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to aged and disabled people who have low income and resources. We provide work
incentives to help people work. We even provide Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug costs. In so many ways, Social
Security benefits America.
Milestones come and milestones go. But looking back over the past 78 years of the nation’s most important program, it is those
millions of individual moments — the monthly benefit payments — that have made a tremendous difference. In good times and
bad, in sickness and health, Social Security has helped Americans. Each payment has helped someone, somewhere. But place
them side by side and the difference Social Security has made in the lives of Americans is certainly something to celebrate.
Learn more about Social Security’s rich history at www.socialsecurity.gov/history. Become a part of Social Security’s history by
doing business with us online at www.socialsecurity.gov/onlineservices.
# # #
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
GENERAL
Question:
I can’t find my Social Security card. How can I get a new one?
Answer:
First, consider whether you really need a new card. You need to apply for a replacement Social Security card only if you don't know
your Social Security number or, if you need to show your card to a new employer. Even then, you may only need a Social Security
number printout to verify your number. If you decide that you do need a card, you can replace it for free in three easy steps.
Step 1: Gather documents proving your identity and citizenship or immigration status.
Step 2: Complete an Application For a Social Security Card (Form SS-5)
Step 3: Take your completed application and original documents to your local Social Security office or your local Social Security
Card Center. You’ll receive your replacement card in about 10 to 15 days. The types of documents you need to provide depends
on your specific situation. Find out what you need by visiting our “decision tree” at www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber.
If you don’t need a new card and the printout will do, you still need to show us documents to prove your identity and U.S.
citizenship or immigration status. However, you can get your printout during your office visit. Learn more about the Social Security
number printout by visiting www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs and typing “printout” in the publication search box on the left side of the
screen.
Question:
I worked for the last 10 years and I now have my 40 credits. Does this mean that I get the maximum Social Security retirement
benefit?
Answer:
Probably not. The 40 credits are the minimum number you need to qualify for retirement benefits. However, we do not base your
benefit amount on those credits; it's based on your earnings over a lifetime of work. To learn more about how you earn Social
Security credits and how they work, read or listen to our publication How You Earn Credits, available at www.socialsecurity.
gov/pubs.
RETIREMENT
Question:
I’m trying to figure out the best time to retire based on my future earnings. How can I calculate my own retirement benefit estimate?
Answer:
We suggest you use our Retirement Estimator at www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator. Our Retirement Estimator produces
estimates based on your actual Social Security earnings record, so it's a personalized, instant picture of your future estimated
benefit. Also, you can use it to test different retirement scenarios based on what age you decide to start benefits. For example, you
can find out your estimated monthly payments if you retire at age 62, 70, or any age in between. Try it out now at www.
socialsecurity.gov/estimator.
Question:
I’ve been working for about ten years and haven’t given much thought to the Social Security taxes I’ve been paying. How do I earn
Social Security credits?
Answer:
A "Social Security credit" (sometimes referred to as a "quarter of coverage") is the basic unit for determining whether a worker is
insured under the Social Security program. The amount needed for a credit increases automatically each year as average wages
increase. For 2013, workers receive one credit for each $1,160 of earnings. A worker can receive a maximum of four credits for
any year. Generally, you need 40 credits to be eligible for retirement benefits. Learn more at www.socialsecurity.
gov/OACT/COLA/QC.html
DISABILITY
Question:
I’m applying online for disability benefits. What is the difference between the disability application and the disability report? Do I
have to complete both?
Answer:
Yes, you will need to complete both when you apply for disability benefits. To receive Social Security disability benefits, you must
file a disability application. A disability report provides information about your current physical or mental condition and we need
this to process your disability application. You should complete a disability application, a disability report, and an authorization to
release medical records to file a claim for disability benefits. To learn more, and to apply online, visit www.socialsecurity.
gov/applyfordisability.
Question:
How do I know if I have worked long enough - to qualify for Social Security disability benefits?
Answer:
You must have worked long enough — and recently enough — under Social Security to qualify for disability benefits. Social
Security work credits are based on your total yearly wages or self-employment income. You can earn up to four credits each year.
The amount needed for a credit changes from year to year. In 2013, for example, you earn one credit for each $1,160 of wages or
self-employment income. When you have earned $4,640, you've earned your four credits for the year. The number of work credits
you need to qualify for disability benefits depends on your age when you become disabled. Generally, you need 40 credits, 20 of
which you earned in the last 10 years, ending with the year you become disabled. However, younger workers may qualify with
fewer credits. To learn more, see our Disability Planner at www.socialsecurity.gov/dibplan/dqualify3.htm.
SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME
Question:
My grandmother recently died and left me about $5,000 in cash. Will this affect my SSI?
Answer:
Yes, it most likely will. We count the money as income in the month you receive it, which means you will not be eligible for an SSI
payment the month that you receive the $5,000. Because there is a resource limit of $2,000 for an individual (or $3,000 for a
couple), the amount you keep after the month you received it will count as a resource and may make you ineligible for a payment.
As long as you have more than the resource limit, you will not be eligible for an SSI payment. It is important that you report to us
the amount you receive and then let us know when your resources fall below the limit. Learn more about SSI by reading or
listening to our online publication, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), available at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs.
Question:
Social Security recently denied my application for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Can I appeal the decision?
Answer:
Yes. If you disagree with a decision made on your claim, you can appeal it. The steps you can take are explained in our online
publication, Your Right To Question A Decision Made On Your Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Claim, available at www.
socialsecurity.gov/pubs. If you do not agree with the decision, you can file an appeal online. Simply visit the online services page
at www.socialsecurity.gov/onlineservices. Then select the “Appeal a decision” link and follow the instructions. You also have the
right to be represented by an attorney or other qualified person of your choice. If you would like to learn more about obtaining
representation, read our online publication Your Right To Representation at the same online publication library.
MEDICARE
Question:
I am applying for Extra Help with prescription drug costs. Can state agencies help with my Medicare costs?
Answer:
Yes. When you file your application for Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug costs, you also can start your application
process for the Medicare Savings Programs — state programs that provide help with other Medicare costs. When you apply for
Extra Help, Social Security will send information to your state, unless you tell us not to on the application. Your state will contact
you to help you apply for a Medicare Savings Program. Learn more about how Social Security can provide Extra Help with your
Medicare prescription drug costs by visiting www.socialsecurity.gov/prescriptionhelp.
Who’s on first base? You are, when the time comes to do business with Social Security. We always place customer service first
and strive to hit a home run with every person we serve.
What’s on second? Our heavy-hitting team of top-rated online services, that’s what! For example, you can use my Social Security
to set up an account and get access to your Social Security Statement to see estimates of your future benefits. If you know your
bases are loaded and you are ready to retire, you can hit the ball out of the park with our online retirement application. You’ll find it
all at www.socialsecurity.gov.
And third base? I don’t know. It’s hard to know when the right time to retire may be. Or, whether retirement planning will even be
your first play with Social Security, given that we also pitch disability and survivors benefits. The future may be as unpredictable as
a World Series winner on opening day. But what we do know is that our online tools and services can help you plan for whatever
your Social Security needs may be throughout your lifetime.
The tried and true “Who’s On First” comedy routine made famous by Abbott and Costello is as American as baseball, apple pie,
and Social Security.
Baseball is an annual rite of summer and a game known for its numbers. Cal Ripken’s record 2,632 consecutive games played.
Joe DiMaggio’s 56-game hitting streak. These and countless other baseball statistics tell stories greater than the numbers
themselves. Mention any one of these 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 17 cents 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 58 million
Americans will receive $821 billion in Social Security benefits. The average monthly benefit for a retired worker in 2013 is $1,262.
An estimated 161 million workers are covered under Social Security — that’s 94 percent of the workforce. Of those, 51 percent of
workers have no private pension coverage and 34 percent have no savings set aside specifically for retirement. These and other
numbers make it easy to appreciate the value of Social Security.
Nine out of 10 Americans age 65 and older receive Social Security benefits. And among the unmarried, 46 percent rely on Social
Security benefits for 90 percent or more of their income.
Retirement benefits are just one of the many benefits Social Security provides. Disabled workers and their dependents account
for 19 percent of the total benefits paid, while survivors benefits account for 11 percent. 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. The dependent families of
these deceased workers are often eligible for survivors benefits.
Who’s on first is you. What’s on second is our suite of useful tools and information on all of our benefits, which you can find at
www.socialsecurity.gov. And third? We may not know, but in baseball and life, statistics can tell us the odds. Knowing these
numbers and visiting Social Security’s website for a little retirement and financial planning can help you know when to swing
away at retirement.
Learn more about Social Security by visiting www.socialsecurity.gov.
# # #
ALLOW SOCIAL SECURITY’S LIGHTHOUSE TO GUIDE YOU INTO A SMOOTH RETIREMENT
August 7 is National Lighthouse Day. The day honors and commemorates lighthouses, which for centuries have served as
beacons of light to guide ships safely through dark and uncertain waters.
August 21 is National Senior Citizen Day, which recognizes the contributions senior citizens make in communities across the
nation.
Social Security offers a bright beacon of light for seniors and younger captains who navigate the waters of retirement planning. In
fact, we have a few lighthouses that can illuminate the way to a happy retirement.
Lighthouse One: The Retirement Estimator is an easy way to get an instant, personalized estimate of your future Social Security
benefits. Just enter some basic information and the Estimator will use information on your Social Security record, along with what
you input, to give you a benefit estimate on the spot. You also can experiment with different scenarios, such as changing your
future earnings and retirement date. Check it out in English at www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator or in Spanish at www.
segurosocial.gov/calculador.
Lighthouse Two: my Social Security is an online account that allows you quick access to your personal Social Security
information. During your working years, once you create your online account, you can use my Social Security to view your Social
Security Statement to check your earnings record and see estimates of the future retirement, disability, and survivor benefits you
and your family may receive. If you already receive Social Security benefits, you can sign into your account to view, save, and print
your benefit verification letter, check your benefit payment information, and when necessary, change your address and phone
number in our records. You also can start or change your direct deposit information. Check it out at www.socialsecurity.
gov/myaccount.
Lighthouse Three: The online Benefit Application is the most convenient way to apply for Social Security retirement and spouse’s
benefits. You can apply from the comfort of your home — it’s fast, easy, and secure. It’s so easy, in fact, it can take you as little as
15 minutes to apply online. In most cases, once your application is submitted electronically, you’re done. There are no forms to
sign and usually no documentation is required. Social Security will process your application and contact you if any further
information is needed. Join the millions that have already applied online. Try it out when you’re ready to retire or just want to learn
more at www.socialsecurity.gov/pgm/retirement.htm.
You’ll find a host of other lighthouses at www.socialsecurity.gov to ensure your retirement plans don’t go off course. For example,
we offer an online library of topical publications you can read or listen to, and hundreds of frequently asked questions.
Whether you’re a new captain learning how to navigate the waters of financial planning, or a salty seadog ready for retirement,
Social Security’s online lighthouses are here to make sure you don’t crash on the jagged sea rocks of procrastination or shallow
straights of poor planning. The beacon is guiding you to www.socialsecurity.gov.
# # #
SPOUSES HAVE A SIGNIFICANT BENEFIT
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 have worked for a longer span of years. Or it could
be that one spouse stayed home to do the work of raising the children or caring for elderly family members while the other
focused on a career.
Regardless of your situation, Social Security will look at all possibilities to make sure both spouses receive the maximum benefit
possible.
Even if you have not paid Social Security taxes, it’s likely you’ll be eligible to receive benefits on your spouse’s record. If you did
work and pay into Social Security, we will check eligibility based on your work record and your spouse’s to see which amount is
higher.
You can apply for spouses benefits the same way that you apply for benefits on your own record. You can apply for reduced
benefits as early as age 62, or for 100 percent of your full retirement benefits at your “full retirement age. “ You can find your full
retirement age, based on your birth year, at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/ageincrease.htm.
The benefit amount you can receive as a spouse, if you have reached your full retirement age, can be as much as one half of your
spouse’s full benefit. If you opt for early retirement, your benefit may be as little as a third of your spouse’s full benefit amount.
If your spouse has already reached full retirement age but continues to work, your spouse can apply for retirement benefits and
request to have the payments suspended until as late as age 70. This would allow the worker to earn delayed retirement credits
that will mean higher payments later, but would allow you to receive your spouse’s benefit.
You can also apply for spouse benefits based on the earnings record of an ex-spouse or deceased spouse if you were 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 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.
Whether you receive benefits on a spouse’s record or your own, rest assured we will make sure you get the highest benefit we
can pay you. Learn more at www.socialsecurity.gov.
# # #
IN THE AFTERMATH OF DISASTER, SOCIAL SECURITY CAN HELP
For some, recent years have been made difficult by natural disasters. Fatal tornadoes in Oklahoma. Massive wildfires and strong
earthquakes in Colorado and California. Landslides in Washington. Flooding in Texas, North Carolina and Florida. Hail storms in
Tennessee. Hurricane Sandy along the Eastern seaboard. And now, we brace ourselves for yet another hurricane season.
In addition to the catastrophes caused by Mother Nature, there are man-made tragedies, such as the theater shooting in Aurora,
Colorado that killed 12 and injured 58; the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre in Newtown, Connecticut, which left 26
children and staff members dead; and the Boston Marathon explosions, killing three and injuring more than 260.
When disasters strike, despite the immediate response by so many well-intentioned people and organizations, it’s often hard to
know where to turn. But when it comes to the need for disability and survivors benefits, Social Security is always here to serve
those who require our services.
Dependent survivors of wage earners, such as spouses, minor children, and in some cases parents or grandchildren, may be
eligible for survivor benefits when the family’s provider dies. The sad fact is that about one in eight of today’s 20 year-old workers
will die before reaching age 67. The good news is about 96 percent of people age 20 to 49 who work have survivors insurance
protection if they die and leave behind young children and surviving spouses.
Social Security is here to help people inflicted with disabling conditions as well. In fact, disabled workers account for about 19
percent of all Social Security benefits paid. One in four of today’s 20 year-old workers will become disabled before reaching age
67.
Our emergency services reach more than the limited numbers of people who die or become disabled as a result of a tragedy. For
example, if you are still receiving a paper check and the delivery of mail is interrupted due to severe weather, in many cases any
Social Security office can issue an immediate replacement payment. To avoid this situation, however, switch to electronic
payments as required by law. Even if your mailbox — or home — is destroyed due to an emergency, or you are evacuated or
displaced, your payment will always arrive on time every time if you receive it electronically.
Sometimes, emergencies cause Social Security offices to close. If you want to check whether your local office is open, the best
place to go is to Social Security’s Office Closings And Emergency Information page at www.socialsecurity.gov/emergency. This
site is a great place to visit before you try to go to an office, especially when severe weather is affecting your area.
The emergency page also offers valuable FEMA advice that can help you prepare for or cope with emergency situations.
While we all hope and pray to avoid disasters, unfortunately, they are bound to occur. The best we can do is to be as prepared as
possible to deal with them if they happen. And know that Social Security will be here for you when you need it.
Be prepared. Visit www.socialsecurity.gov/emergency.
# # #
REFLECTING ON 78 YEARS OF SOCIAL SECURITY
By Carolyn W. Colvin
Acting Commissioner of Social Security
There are special moments when people look back and evaluate a life or an era: birthdays, class reunions, holidays,
anniversaries. Time is, after all, simply the stringing together of a number of events, some small, others significant. These events
can speed by quickly, but each one can have an effect on the greater whole. A lifetime of seemingly mundane events can pass in
what seems like the blink of an eye … until one looks back to examine them and realizes just how much has filled the space.
When I think about Social Security on the eve of the program’s 78th anniversary, I am amazed by what a significant difference it
has made, one event at a time, one person at a time. Over Social Security’s long history, every single monthly payment has made
a difference to an American somewhere. But when you string those payments together, it’s remarkable what a huge and positive
effect Social Security has had on the people and economy of our nation.
Social Security has been a cornerstone of our nation, touching the lives of almost every American at one time or another, for 78
years. It’s the most successful domestic program in our nation and, arguably, the world.
When President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law on August 14, 1935, he said, “The civilization of the
past hundred years, with its startling industrial changes, has tended more and more to make life insecure. Young people have
come to wonder what would be their lot when they came to old age. The man with a job has wondered how long the job would
last.” The same can be said of the current information age, with our rapidly evolving digital revolution and periods of economic
instability. Social Security is a safety net cast to help those who need it.
President Roosevelt knew that the cornerstone of his administration would offer security, but he also understood that Social
Security would need to evolve as new changes challenged the nation. “This law, too, represents a cornerstone in a structure
which is being built but is by no means complete,” he admitted. “It is, in short, a law that will take care of human needs and at the
same time provide the United States an economic structure of vastly greater soundness.”
Today, Social Security is much more than just a retirement program. We provide benefits to disabled individuals and their
families. We provide survivors benefits to widows, widowers and the minor children of deceased workers. We provide
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to aged and disabled people who have low income and resources. We provide work
incentives to help people work. We even provide Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug costs. In so many ways, Social
Security benefits America.
Milestones come and milestones go. But looking back over the past 78 years of the nation’s most important program, it is those
millions of individual moments — the monthly benefit payments — that have made a tremendous difference. In good times and
bad, in sickness and health, Social Security has helped Americans. Each payment has helped someone, somewhere. But place
them side by side and the difference Social Security has made in the lives of Americans is certainly something to celebrate.
Learn more about Social Security’s rich history at www.socialsecurity.gov/history. Become a part of Social Security’s history by
doing business with us online at www.socialsecurity.gov/onlineservices.
# # #
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
GENERAL
Question:
I can’t find my Social Security card. How can I get a new one?
Answer:
First, consider whether you really need a new card. You need to apply for a replacement Social Security card only if you don't know
your Social Security number or, if you need to show your card to a new employer. Even then, you may only need a Social Security
number printout to verify your number. If you decide that you do need a card, you can replace it for free in three easy steps.
Step 1: Gather documents proving your identity and citizenship or immigration status.
Step 2: Complete an Application For a Social Security Card (Form SS-5)
Step 3: Take your completed application and original documents to your local Social Security office or your local Social Security
Card Center. You’ll receive your replacement card in about 10 to 15 days. The types of documents you need to provide depends
on your specific situation. Find out what you need by visiting our “decision tree” at www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber.
If you don’t need a new card and the printout will do, you still need to show us documents to prove your identity and U.S.
citizenship or immigration status. However, you can get your printout during your office visit. Learn more about the Social Security
number printout by visiting www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs and typing “printout” in the publication search box on the left side of the
screen.
Question:
I worked for the last 10 years and I now have my 40 credits. Does this mean that I get the maximum Social Security retirement
benefit?
Answer:
Probably not. The 40 credits are the minimum number you need to qualify for retirement benefits. However, we do not base your
benefit amount on those credits; it's based on your earnings over a lifetime of work. To learn more about how you earn Social
Security credits and how they work, read or listen to our publication How You Earn Credits, available at www.socialsecurity.
gov/pubs.
RETIREMENT
Question:
I’m trying to figure out the best time to retire based on my future earnings. How can I calculate my own retirement benefit estimate?
Answer:
We suggest you use our Retirement Estimator at www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator. Our Retirement Estimator produces
estimates based on your actual Social Security earnings record, so it's a personalized, instant picture of your future estimated
benefit. Also, you can use it to test different retirement scenarios based on what age you decide to start benefits. For example, you
can find out your estimated monthly payments if you retire at age 62, 70, or any age in between. Try it out now at www.
socialsecurity.gov/estimator.
Question:
I’ve been working for about ten years and haven’t given much thought to the Social Security taxes I’ve been paying. How do I earn
Social Security credits?
Answer:
A "Social Security credit" (sometimes referred to as a "quarter of coverage") is the basic unit for determining whether a worker is
insured under the Social Security program. The amount needed for a credit increases automatically each year as average wages
increase. For 2013, workers receive one credit for each $1,160 of earnings. A worker can receive a maximum of four credits for
any year. Generally, you need 40 credits to be eligible for retirement benefits. Learn more at www.socialsecurity.
gov/OACT/COLA/QC.html
DISABILITY
Question:
I’m applying online for disability benefits. What is the difference between the disability application and the disability report? Do I
have to complete both?
Answer:
Yes, you will need to complete both when you apply for disability benefits. To receive Social Security disability benefits, you must
file a disability application. A disability report provides information about your current physical or mental condition and we need
this to process your disability application. You should complete a disability application, a disability report, and an authorization to
release medical records to file a claim for disability benefits. To learn more, and to apply online, visit www.socialsecurity.
gov/applyfordisability.
Question:
How do I know if I have worked long enough - to qualify for Social Security disability benefits?
Answer:
You must have worked long enough — and recently enough — under Social Security to qualify for disability benefits. Social
Security work credits are based on your total yearly wages or self-employment income. You can earn up to four credits each year.
The amount needed for a credit changes from year to year. In 2013, for example, you earn one credit for each $1,160 of wages or
self-employment income. When you have earned $4,640, you've earned your four credits for the year. The number of work credits
you need to qualify for disability benefits depends on your age when you become disabled. Generally, you need 40 credits, 20 of
which you earned in the last 10 years, ending with the year you become disabled. However, younger workers may qualify with
fewer credits. To learn more, see our Disability Planner at www.socialsecurity.gov/dibplan/dqualify3.htm.
SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME
Question:
My grandmother recently died and left me about $5,000 in cash. Will this affect my SSI?
Answer:
Yes, it most likely will. We count the money as income in the month you receive it, which means you will not be eligible for an SSI
payment the month that you receive the $5,000. Because there is a resource limit of $2,000 for an individual (or $3,000 for a
couple), the amount you keep after the month you received it will count as a resource and may make you ineligible for a payment.
As long as you have more than the resource limit, you will not be eligible for an SSI payment. It is important that you report to us
the amount you receive and then let us know when your resources fall below the limit. Learn more about SSI by reading or
listening to our online publication, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), available at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs.
Question:
Social Security recently denied my application for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Can I appeal the decision?
Answer:
Yes. If you disagree with a decision made on your claim, you can appeal it. The steps you can take are explained in our online
publication, Your Right To Question A Decision Made On Your Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Claim, available at www.
socialsecurity.gov/pubs. If you do not agree with the decision, you can file an appeal online. Simply visit the online services page
at www.socialsecurity.gov/onlineservices. Then select the “Appeal a decision” link and follow the instructions. You also have the
right to be represented by an attorney or other qualified person of your choice. If you would like to learn more about obtaining
representation, read our online publication Your Right To Representation at the same online publication library.
MEDICARE
Question:
I am applying for Extra Help with prescription drug costs. Can state agencies help with my Medicare costs?
Answer:
Yes. When you file your application for Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug costs, you also can start your application
process for the Medicare Savings Programs — state programs that provide help with other Medicare costs. When you apply for
Extra Help, Social Security will send information to your state, unless you tell us not to on the application. Your state will contact
you to help you apply for a Medicare Savings Program. Learn more about how Social Security can provide Extra Help with your
Medicare prescription drug costs by visiting www.socialsecurity.gov/prescriptionhelp.