Social Security

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Something for everyone

From the rst job to the last, Social Security helps families prepare for retirement

Sunday, July 28, 2013

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Social Security

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Taking care of business

Save time by managing Social Security online
By Michael Webb Social Security Many people save time by going online to take care of everyday tasks. For example, they shop online to avoid going to crowded malls or stores. They pay bills and check their account balances online to save a trip to the bank. Its true of Social Security business, too. You can save a lot of time by visiting www. socialsecurity.gov. Here, you can handle much of your Social Security business quickly and securely from your home or office computer. At the Social Security website you can: Create a my Social Security account for quick access to your information; Get an instant, personalized estimate of your future Social Security benefits; Apply for retirement, disability, spouses, and Medicare benefits; Check the status of your benefit application;

Q&A
Question: What are the benefits of using direct deposit or electronic payments? Answer: Its safe; Its secure; Its convenient; Your checks will not get lost in the mail; You choose the account where your payment is deposited; and You will get your benefits on time, even if youre out of town or unable to get to the bank. With few exceptions, nowadays, if you sign up for benefits, you must get your payments electronically. If you dont have a bank account, you can use the Direct Express prepaid debit card to get Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments deposited directly into your account. Go to www.godirect.org. Question: Whats the easiest way to apply for retirement benefits? Answer: The easiest way to apply for retirement benefits is online at www.socialsecurity.gov/ applyonline. Its easy and secure. You can complete it in as little as 15 minutes. In most cases, once your application is submitted electronically, youre done. There are no forms to sign and usually no documentation is required. Social Security will process your application and contact you if we need more information. You also can apply by calling our toll-free number, 1-800-7721213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Our representatives will make an appointment to take your application over the telephone or at a local Social Security office. Question: I need proof of my Social Security income. Can I get verification online? Answer: Yes! And the best way to get a benefit verification letter is by using a my Social Security account. Your personal my Social Security account is a convenient and secure way for you to check your benefit and payment information, change your address, phone number, and direct deposit information, and to get your benefit verification letter. You can use your benefit verification letter to verify your income, retirement or disability status, Medicare eligibility, and age. When you use my Social Security to get it, you can request which information you would like included in the letter. Learn more, use my Social Security, and get your benefit verification letter now at www.socialsecurity. gov/myaccount.

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Change your address and phone number, if you receive monthly Social Security benefits; Sign-up for direct deposit of Social Security benefits; Use our benefit planners to help you better understand your Social Security options as you plan for your financial future; Request a replacement Medicare card; and Apply for Extra Help with

your Medicare prescription drug costs. Looking for more Social Security information? Go online to find out almost anything you need to know about the Social Security program. Information is available on subjects ranging from how to get a Social Security number for a newborn to returning to work while receiving disability benefits. Heres another tip: going online is good for the planet. It saves more than just your time it also saves paper, emissions, and energy. If you need to reach us by phone, you can call us tollfree at 1-800-772-1213. We treat all calls confidentially.

We can answer specific questions from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Generally, youll have a shorter wait time if you call during the week after Tuesday. We can provide information by automated phone service 24 hours a day. (You can use our automated response system to tell us a new address or request a replacement Medicare card.) If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call our TTY number, 1-800-325-0778. No matter how you choose to contact us, Social Security is here to assist you. We encourage you to give our website a try. Youll get fast, convenient service by going to www.socialsecurity.gov

Savvy Social Security Planning:

What Baby Boomers Need to Know to Maximize Retirement Income
Will Social Security be there for me? How much can I expect to receive? When should I apply for Social Security? How can I maximize benefits? Will Social Security be enough to live on?

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Social Security

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Young workers,
By Michael Webb Social Security some extra money for the school year to come, there is one question that is likely to hit you when you see your first pay stub: What is the FICA, and why is my paycheck less because of it? Generally, employers are required to withhold Social Security and Medicare tax from a workers paycheck. Your employer matches the amounts you pay in Social Security and Medicare taxes. Usually the money we withhold

meet Social Security

is referred to as Social Security taxes on the employees payroll statement. Sometimes the deduction is labeled as FICA taxes, which stands for Federal Insurance Contributions Act, and sometimes OASDI, or Old Age Survivor and Disability Insurance. Name aside, whats important is how that money is being used, and whats in it for you down the road. The taxes you pay now translate to a lifetime of protection, when you eventually retire or if you become disabled. If you die, your dependent children and spouse may be able to receive survivors benefits based on your work. Today you probably have family members grandparents, for example who already enjoy Social Security benefits that your Social Security taxes help provide. You may be a long way from retirement now, so you may find it hard to appreciate the value of benefits that could be 40 or 50 years away. But consider that your Social Security taxes could pay off sooner than you think. Social Security provides valuable disability benefits and studies show that a 20-yearold has about a 3-in-10 chance of becoming disabled sometime before reaching retirement age. Dont be tempted if youre offered a job under the table or off the books. If you work for any employer who pays you cash, youre likely not getting Social Security credit for the work youre doing and potentially missing out on future benefits. Want to learn more about Social Security and what it means to young workers? If so, we invite you to enjoy an online video Social Security 101: Whats In It For Me? The webcast will fill you in on the details you should know to get the most out of Social Security. Check it out at www.socialsecurity.gov/webinars/ social_security_101.html. Heres another tip: open a my Social Security account so that you can access your Social Security Statement. That will allow you to make sure your earnings are recorded properly each year and you can get estimates of what your future benefits may be. You can easily open a my Social Security account at www. socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. If you have questions about Social Security, the best place to go is www. socialsecurity.gov.

What is FICA and how does it affect your paycheck, future

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Social Security

Sunday, July 28, 2013 5

Benets reduce nancial burden in event of family members death

By Michael Webb Social Security

Social Security helps families

ow is a great time to reflect on your family and how to make it stronger. As the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reminds us, strong families share many valuable qualities: trust, commitment, communication, growth, affection, fun and love. Strong families are more likely to grow through a crisis, allowing the difficult experience to bring them even closer together. In the unfortunate event of a family members 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 familys main wage earner dies. In such cases, Social Security survivors benefits will help. Did you know that nearly every child in America could get Social Security survivors benefits if a working parent dies? And Social Security pays more benefits to children than any other federal program. 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 youre like most people, the value of the survivors insurance you have under Social Security is probably more than the value of any

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individual life insurance you may own. And you dont 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 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, stepgrandchildren, adopted children, and dependent parents. If youd like to learn more about survivors 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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Social Security

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he Social Security program treats all workers men and women exactly the same in terms of the benefits they can receive. But women may want to familiarize themselves with what the program means to them in their particular circumstances. Understanding the benefits may mean the difference between living more comfortably versus just getting by in retirement. One of the most significant things women need to remember about Social Security is the importance of promptly reporting a name change. If you havent told us of a name change, your W-2 may not match the information in Social Securitys records and this could affect the amount of your future benefits. Not changing your name with Social Security also can delay your federal income tax refund. To report a name change, please fill out an Application for a Social Security Card (Form SS5). You can get the form by visiting www.socialsecurity. gov, or any Social Security

office or card center, or by calling Social Securitys tollfree number, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). You must show us certain identity documents, including one recently issued to prove your legal name change. If expanding your family is in your plans, its a good idea to apply for a Social Security number for your baby in the hospital, at the same time that you apply for your babys birth certificate. Social Security will mail the card to you. If you wait, you must then separately provide evidence of your childs age, identity, and U.S. citizenship status, as well as proof of your identity. Then, we must verify your childs birth record, which can add 12 weeks to the time it takes to issue a card. When women start receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits, other family members may be eligible for payments as well. For example, benefits can be paid to a husband: If he is age 62 or older; or At any age, if he is caring for your child (the child must be younger than 16 or disabled and receiving Social Security benefits on your record). Benefits also can be paid to unmarried children if they are: Younger than age 18; Between 18 and 19 years old, but in elementary or secondary school as fulltime students; or Age 18 or older and severely disabled (the disability must have started before age 22). The family of a woman who dies may be eligible for survivors benefits based on her work. For more information about women and Social Security, ask for the publication, What Every Woman Should Know (SSA Publication No. 05-10127) or visit our special Womens page online at www.socialsecurity. gov/women.

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Social Security

Sunday, July 28, 2013 7

The right kind of fishing

Dont be the catch of the day with scams
By Michael Webb Social Security This summer you may be inclined to spend some quality time with family, maybe go out camping or fishing. But try to make sure that nobody else tries to phish with you or your family. These days, everyone needs to be cautious of scams Internet, mail, and even phone scams which can damage your credit score and wallet. Scam artists have become shrewd. Any time someone asks for your personal information, you should be wary. Particularly cruel are swindlers who target Social Security beneficiaries. As a rule of thumb, Social Security will not call or email you 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 Social Security to verify the validity of the person contacting you. It could be an identity thief on the other end phishing for your personal information. Just call the local Social Security office, or Social Securitys toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). If you receive a suspicious call, please report it to the Fraud Hotline. Reports may be made online at www.socialsecurity.gov/fraudreport/ oig/public_fraud_reporting/ form.htm or by telephone at 1-800-269-0271 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Please include the following details: 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 an identity thief, the place to contact is the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at www.idtheft.gov. Or, call 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338); TTY 1-866-653-4261. Some people who receive Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits are victimized by misleading advertisers. Such companies offer Social Security services for a fee, even though the same services are available directly from Social Security free of charge. Especially upsetting are such ads that make it appear as though the ad has come directly from Social Security. By law, such advertisements must indicate that the company is not affiliated with Social Security. If you or your family see what you believe is misleading advertising for Social Security services from a company that does not admit it is not affiliated with Social Security, send the complete mailing, including the envelope, to: Office of the Inspector General, Fraud Hotline, Social Security Administration, P.O. Box 17768, Baltimore, MD 21235. Also, advise your states attorney general or consumer affairs 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 at www.socialsecurity.gov/ pubs/10064.html. Read about misleading advertising at www.socialsecurity. gov/pubs/10005.html.

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Seniors are changing the way they retire

By Michael Webb Social Security Generations ago, retirement was thought of as a time to take it easy a time of rocking on porch chairs and reminiscing about the good old days. But thats not the case with the current generation of retirees. In fact, many older people today continue to rock on. Just look at some of the superstars touring and performing concerts this year who are old enough to collect Social Security retirement payments. Theyre still rocking, but not in chairs. Bob Dylan is on tour, as he usually is during summer months. Dylan is 71 years old. But with a recent album and new tour dates, youd never know he was of retirement age. Neil Young is touring with Crazy Horse to support their new album. The godfather of grunge is 67 years young. Hes become the Old Man he sang about in his Harvest days. Paul McCartneys current Out There tour may more appropriately be called his Up There tour. The former Beatle is now age 70. Willie Nelson is On the Road Again. The music icon is 79 years old and seems to be on nonstop tour. Aretha Franklin is 71. Carlos Santana is 65. Carly Simon is 67. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards are both 69, as is Joni Mitchell. Leonard Cohen is 78. B.B. King is 87. Theyre all still performing their music. Of course, some of these well-known musicians may not be eligible to receive Social Security benefits. But all of them are of retirement age. So where are their rocking chairs and knitting needles? Its hard to believe, looking at all of these mature stars, that retirement used to be associated with bridge and shuffleboard. Its not just musicians. In fact, many people decide to put off applying for retirement benefits. And even after they do begin collecting benefits, many retirees prefer to keep working or at least moving and shaking. Most people know that you can begin collecting early Social Security benefits at age 62, with a reduction in the monthly amount. The full retirement age is gradually going up from 66 for people born between 1943 and 1954, to 67 for people born in 1960 and later. You can delay retirement even further and receive a higher payment when you retire, up until you reach age 70. And another thing that has changed since the past generation: you can continue to work and still receive retirement benefits. Learn more about Social Security retirement benefits by reading our publication on the subject at www.socialsecurity.gov/ pubs. When youre ready to retire, the best place to apply is from the comfort of your home computer, with some of your favorite music blaring in the background. Begin the process with our Retirement Planner at www.socialsecurity. gov/retirement. Crank up the tunes, and start planning before you head out to your next concert.

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Q&A
Question: Im trying to figure out how much I need to save for my retirement. Does the government offer any help with financial education? Answer: Yes. For starters, you may want to find out what you can expect from Social Security with a visit to Social Securitys Retirement Estimator at www.socialsecurity. gov/estimator. The Financial Literacy and Education Commission has a website that can key you in on the basics of financial education: www.mymoney.gov. Finally, youll want to check out the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which offers educational information on a number of financial matters, including mortgages, credit cards, retirement, and other big decisions. Visit the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at www.consumerfinance.gov. Question: I need to get something from Social Security to verify my income. How can I do that? Answer: We provide three types of income proof: 1. A Benefit Verification Letter shows your monthly benefit amount. You can get your Benefit Verification Letter online at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. It often is used as official proof of income to: Apply for a loan; Give to a landlord; Obtain housing assistance, or other state or local benefits; Verify Medicare coverage; or Verify retirement status, disability, or age. 2. An SSA-1099 shows your annual income for income tax purposes. We mail the SSA-1099 by January 31 each year. You can request an SSA-1099 online, or you can call us at 1-800-7721213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, or visit a local office. Go to www.socialsecurity.gov to locate the office nearest you. 3. An annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) notice is sent to all beneficiaries at the end of each year providing the amount of the monthly benefit for the following year. Question: What is the earliest age I can begin receiving retirement benefits? Answer: The earliest age you can begin receiving Social Security retirement benefits is 62. If you decide to receive benefits before your full retirement age, you will receive a reduced benefit. Keep in mind you will not be able to receive Medicare coverage until age 65, even if you decide to retire at an earlier age. Check out our Retirement Estimator to get fast, personalized estimates of future benefits. You can find them at www.socialsecurity. gov/estimator. For more information, go to www.socialsecurity.gov. Question: My brother had an accident at work last year and is now receiving Social Security disability benefits for himself, his wife, and their daughter. Before his accident, he helped support his son from a previous relationship. Is his son entitled to some benefits as well? Answer: Regardless of whether your brother was married to his sons mother, his son may qualify for Social Security benefits on his record. Someone should file an application on his behalf. If he is found to be eligible, both children would receive equal benefits. Learn more by reading our online publication, Disability Benefits (Publication No. 0510029) at www.socialsecurity. gov/pubs/10029.html. Question: I understand that to get Social Security disability benefits, my disability must be expected to last at least a year. Do I have to wait a year before I can apply for benefits? Answer: No. If you believe your disability will last a year or longer, apply for disability benefits as soon as you become disabled. It can take three to four months to process an application. If your application is approved, we will pay your first Social Security disability benefits for the sixth full month after the date your disability began. For more information about Social Security disability benefits, refer to Disability Benefits (Publication No. 0510029) at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10029.html. Question: What are the rules for getting Supplemental Security Income (SSI)? Im thinking about applying. Answer: To be eligible to receive SSI benefits, you must be disabled, blind, or age 65 or older. You also must have limited income and resources. Income is defined as wages, Social Security benefits, and pensions. Income also includes food and shelter you receive from others. Social Security does not count all of your income when deciding whether you qualify for SSI. Resources include bank accounts, cash, stocks, and bonds. You may be able to get SSI if your resources are worth no more than $2,000 ($3,000 for a couple). Learn more by reading our publication, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), at www.socialsecurity.gov/ pubs/11000.html. Question: What is the Part B Medicare monthly premium for 2013? Answer: Most people pay the standard Part B premium of $104.90 each month in 2013. If your modified adjusted gross income on your Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax return from two years ago (the most recent tax return information provided to Social Security by the IRS) is above a certain amount, you may need to pay more. Only about ten percent of Medicare beneficiaries, those with very high income, are required to pay a monthly premium greater than $104.90. For more information, visit www.socialsecurity.gov and select the Medicare tab.

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Apply for disability at home

By Michael Webb Social Security Have you been thinking about applying for Social Security disability benefits, but you are unable to visit a Social Security office to complete the interview? Or perhaps your disabling condition makes it difficult to visit a Social Security office. We have good news: you can complete your application for Social Security disability benefits from the convenience of your home. Get started at www.socialsecurity.gov/disability. The application process involves determining 1) whether you have sufficient work to be eligible for Social Security; 2) the severity of your medical condition; and 3) your ability to work. Because we carefully review so many cases more than three million each year it can take us three to five months to determine whether you are eligible to receive benefits. The amount of time it takes to make a decision on your application can vary depending on a number of factors, such as: The nature of your disability; How quickly we obtain medical evidence from you, your doctors, hospitals, or other medical sources; and Whether we need to send you for a medical examination to obtain evidence to support your claim. We have several important initiatives to speed up the process. For example, our Compassionate Allowances initiative allows us to fast-track certain cases of individuals with very severe disabilities. Two hundred different types of disabilities qualify for this expedited decision, and the list continues to expand. Since Compassionate Allowances began in 2008, the agency has fast-tracked more than 250,000 disability applications, getting benefits to people in a matter of days instead of months. Learn more about Compassionate Allowances at www. socialsecurity.gov/compassionateallowances. Another way we speed up decisions is with our Quick Disability Determinations initiative, which uses technology to identify applicants who have the most severe disabilities and allows us to expedite our decisions on those cases. Read more about Quick Disability Determinations at www. socialsecurity.gov/disabilityresearch/qdd.htm. There are things you can do to help speed up the decision process too. The more information you provide up front, the less time it will take us to obtain the evidence we need and the faster we can make a decision on your application. The types of information we need include: Medical records or documentation 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; The names, addresses, and phone numbers for recent employers and the dates you worked for each employer; and Your federal tax return for the past year. If youre not able to work due to a disability and getting to an office is troublesome, dont worry. You can apply online for Social Security disability benefits at www.socialsecurity.gov/disability.

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Sunday, July 28, 2013 11

Fast-tracked disability process improved

Program now includes 200 medical conditions
By Michael Webb Social Security With the addition of 35 new Compassionate Allowances conditions involving cancers and rare diseases, there are now a total of 200 disabling conditions that qualify for Social Securitys expedited disability process. The Compassionate Allowances initiative fasttracks disability decisions to ensure that Americans with the most serious disabilities receive their benefit decisions within days instead of months or years. In addition to increasing the list of eligible conditions, the agency has achieved another milestone. Since October 2008, nearly 200,000 people with severe disabilities nationwide have been quickly approved using the expedited process. Compassionate Allowances allow us to quickly identify diseases and other medical conditions that, by definition, meet Social Securitys standards for disability benefits. These conditions primarily include certain cancers, adult brain disorders, and a number of rare disorders that affect children. Compassionate Allowances permit Social Security to target the most clearly disabled individuals for medical approvals based on objective medical information that we can obtain quickly. Using the Compassionate Allowances criteria, most cases can be medically approved in less than two weeks. Compassionate Allowances conditions are added as a result of information received at public outreach hearings, comments from the Social

Security and Disability Determination Service communities, input from medical and scientific experts, and research from the National Institutes of Health. We also consider which conditions are most likely to meet our current definition of disability. For more information about Compassionate Allowances, including a full list of qualifying conditions, please visit www. socialsecurity.gov/compassionateallowances.

Spring into retirement

What you need to know when planning for retirement
By Michael Webb Social Security Here are a few important items about Social Security retirement benefits and how to apply for them. When you work and pay Social Security taxes, you earn credits toward Social Security benefits. If you were born in 1929 or later, you need 40 credits (10 years of work) to qualify for retirement benefits. We determine the amount of your benefit by both how long you work and how much you earn. The higher your lifetime earnings, the higher your monthly benefits. If there were some years when you did not work or had low earnings, your benefit amount may be lower than if you had worked steadily or earned more. Your age at the time you start receiving Social Security retirement makes a difference in your benefit amount. The full retirement age (the age at which 100 percent of retirement benefits are payable) has been gradually rising from age 65 to age 67. You can take early retirement as early as age 62, but if you start collecting benefits before you reach your full retirement age, your monthly payment will be reduced. You can find out what your full retirement age is by referring to the convenient chart at www. socialsecurity.gov/retire2/ retirechart.htm Just as you can choose an early retirement and get a reduced payment, you also can choose to keep working beyond your full retirement age to take advantage of a larger payment. Generally, your benefit will increase automatically by 8 percent each year from the time you reach your full retirement age until you start receiving your benefits or until you reach age 70. The decision of when to retire is personal and depends on a number of factors. To help you weigh the factors, we suggest you read our online fact sheet, When To Start Receiving Retirement Benefits, available at www.socialsecurity. gov/pubs/10147.html. You may want to consider your options by using our Retirement Estimator to get instant, personalized estimates of future benefits. You can plug in different retirement ages and scenarios to help you make a more informed retirement decision. Try it out at www.socialsecurity. gov/estimator. You also can set up an online my Social Security account. You can use your my Social Security account to obtain a copy of your Social Security Statement to check your earnings record and see future estimates of the retirement, disability, and survivor benefits you and your family may receive. Visit www.socialsecurity.gov/ myaccount. When you decide to retire, the easiest and most convenient way to do it is right from the comfort of your home or office computer. Go to www.socialsecurity.gov where you can apply for retirement benefits in as little as 15 minutes. In most cases, there are no forms to sign or documents to send; once you submit your electronic application, thats it! Youre done! Be sure to have your bank account information handy so you can receive your payments electronically. Electronic payment of federal benefits is now mandatory, with few exceptions. Summer is a great time to turn a new leaf. Spring into retirement now! Learn more by reading our publication, Retirement Benefits, at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10035. html.

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By Michael Webb Social Security

New to electronic payments?

that your payment will arrive on time, even in the event of natural disasters or being away from home when the check is in the mail. Electronic payments (direct deposit or Direct Express) are not only the best way to receive federal benefit payments for most people, starting in March, they are the only way. The truth is, for most people getting monthly benefits, this isnt really a change at all. Thats because more than nine-out-of-10 individuals who receive benefits from Social Security already receive payments electronically. If you get your payments the old-fashioned way and electronic payments are new to you, here are some things you may want to know about your future payments. Electronic payments are safer: theres no risk of checks being lost or stolen; Electronic payments are easy and reliable: theres no need to wait for the mail or go to the bank to cash a check; Electronic payments are good for the environment: they save paper and eliminate transportation costs; and finally; Electronic payments save taxpayers money to the tune of $120 million per year: there are no costs for postage, paper, and printing; and Electronic payments could save you money on check-cashing and bank fees. Please visit www.GoDirect.org today to learn more about getting your Social Security and SSI payments the safe, easy, inexpensive, and green way electronically. And rest assured that on payment delivery day, you wont have to wait for your money; your money is already in the bank and ready for you to use.

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All federal benefits, including Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, are to be paid electronically. Thats according to a rule from the U.S. Department of the Treasury. For years, Social Security has stressed the convenience, security, and safety of getting benefit payments electronically, offering peace of mind

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What is Medicare Part B?

Understanding Medicare can save you money
can delay your Medicare Part B enrollment without having to pay higher premiums if you are covered under a group health plan based on your own current employment or the current employment of any family member. If this situation applies to you, you have a special enrollment period in which to sign up for Medicare Part B, without paying the premium surcharge for late enrollment. This rule allows you to: Enroll in Medicare Part B at any time while you are covered under a group health plan based on your own current employment or the current employment of any family member; or Enroll in Medicare Part B during the eight month period that begins following the last month your group health coverage ends, or following the month employment ends, whichever comes first. If you receive disability benefits and have coverage from a working family member, the same rules apply. If you live in one of the 50 states or Washington D.C. and youre already receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits or railroad retirement payments, you will be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B automatically. However, because you must pay a premium for Part B coverage, you have the option of turning it down. If you dont enroll in Medicare Part B when you first become eligible to apply and you dont fall under the special enrollment period, youll have to wait until the general enrollment period, which is Jan. 1 through March 31 of each year. At that time, you may have to pay a higher Medicare Part B premium. For more information about Medicare, visit the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) website at www.medicare. gov. Or read our pubBy Michael Webb Social Security You may already know that Medicare is a medical insurance program for people who are 65 or older and for people who are disabled at any age. Some people are covered only by one type of Medicare; others opt to pay extra for more coverage. If youre eligible for and want to be covered by Medicare Part B medical insurance the general enrollment period for Medicare Part B runs from Jan. 1 through March 31. Before you make a decision about general enrollment, here is some useful information. There are four parts to Medicare: Parts A, B, C and D. Part A helps pay for inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing care, hospice care, and other services. Part B helps pay for doctors fees, outpatient hospital visits, and other medical services and supplies not covered by Part A. Part C allows you to choose to receive all of your health care services through a managed health care organization. These plans, known as Medicare Advantage Plans, may help lower your costs of receiving medical services, or you may get extra benefits for an additional monthly fee. You must have both Parts A and B to enroll in Part C. And Part D is the Medicare Prescription Drug Program. There is a monthly premium for Medicare Part B. In 2013, the standard premium is $104.90. Some high-income individuals pay more than the standard premium. Your Part B premium also can be higher if you do not enroll during your initial enrollment period, or when you first become eligible. There are exceptions to this rule. For example, you lication on Medicare at www.socialsecurity.gov/ pubs/10043.html.

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Keep these tips in mind when doing your taxes

By Michael Webb Social Security Aprils showers bring more than just Mays flowers they also bring the deadline day for filing taxes. Dont wait until the showers arrive to prepare for tax season. Whether
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you are a small business owner, a retiree, or a new parent, here are some Social Security tax tips that may help you. Are Social Security benefits taxable? They are for some people. About one third of those receiving benefits must pay taxes on some of their Social Security. If your total income, including Social Security and all of your other taxable income, is $25,000 or more and you file federal taxes as an individual, youll need to pay federal taxes on some of your benefits. (That amount is $32,000 for married couples filing a joint return.) Will I get a tax form for my Social Security benefits? Yes. Social Security Benefit Statements (Form SSA-1099) are generally mailed to beneficiaries and should be received by Jan. 31. If you receive Social Security and havent

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received your 1099, you can request one online at www.socialsecurity. gov/1099. We had our first child in 2012. Does our baby need a Social Security Number? Yes. Most people apply for their babys Social Security number while theyre still in the hospital at the same time they apply for the birth certificate. But if you didnt, youll need to apply for your childs Social Security number in order to claim the child as a dependent on your tax return. Youll also need it if you ever apply for government benefits on behalf of the child or your family. Learn more about Social Security cards and numbers at www.socialsecurity.gov/ ssnumber. I changed my name when I got married last year. Do I need to report it to Social Security? Yes. If youve legally changed your name due to marriage, divorce, court order, or for any other reason, make sure you change your name with Social Security, as well as with your employer. If you change with one source but not the other, it could cause your earnings to be improperly recorded. That could result in you not getting all the benefits you earned when you become eligible for Social Security in the future. You can learn more about your Social Security number and how to change your name at www.socialsecurity.gov/ ssnumber. I own a small business. Can I report the W-2s

of my employees online to Social Security? Yes, and we encourage you to do so at www.socialsecurity.gov/bso. Filing your W-2s electronically is free, fast, and secure! Plus theres an added bonus: when you file electronically, you receive an extra month to file because electronically filed W-2s arent due until March 31. Youll also receive an electronic acknowledgment receipt. And when you file electronically, you can print out your W-2s for your employees. Does Social Security have any advice to make tax filing and future benefit applications go smoothly? We encourage you to carefully check your name, Social Security number and all of the data on your W-2s, your online Social Security Statement, and Social Security card to make sure they all match. If you dont have access to your card or Statement but know your Social Security number, make sure the number and information is correct on your W-2s. A mismatch could delay your tax refund and cause problems with your Social Security benefits in the future. Such errors are much easier to fix now. If you do notice an error, you should contact Social Security at 1-800772-1213 (TTY 1-800325-0778), or if the information on the W-2 is incorrect, notify your employer. For more information about Social Security, visit www.socialsecurity. gov.

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By Michael Webb Social Security

Social Security honors those who serve

curity.gov/woundedwarriors. We use an expedited process for military service members who become disabled while on active military service, regardless of where the disability occurs. The Wounded Warriors website answers a number of commonly asked questions, and shares other useful information about disability benefits, including how veterans can receive expedited processing of disability claims. It is important to note that benefits available through Social Security are different than those from the Department of Veterans Affairs and require a separate application. Even active duty military who continue to receive pay while in a hospital or on medical leave should consider applying for disability benefits if they are unable to work due to a disabling condition. Active duty status and receipt of military pay does not necessarily prevent payment of Social Security disability benefits. Receipt of military payments should never stop someone from applying for disability benefits from Social Security. If youve served in the Armed Forces and youre planning your retirement, youll want to read our publication, Military Service and Social Security at www.socialsecurity.gov/ pubs/10017.pdf. You also may want to visit the Military Service page of our Retirement Planner, available at www.socialsecurity.gov/retire2/veterans. htm. At Social Security, we honor all those who served in the military and we remember those who died for their country.

Every day of the year, Americans across the nation remember friends and family members who have served and sacrificed for their country. We would like to let members of our military know how much we value what they do for our nation. At Social Security, we offer a wide range of services for our service members. Families of fallen military heroes may be eligible for Social Security survivors benefits. Learn more about Social Security survivors benefits at www.socialsecurity.gov/pgm/survivors.htm. For service members who return home with injuries, Social Security is here to help. Visit our Wounded Warriors website. You can find it at www.socialse-

Social Security offers services in Spanish

By Michael Webb Social Security If English isnt your first language, there is an alternative. Visit Social Securitys Spanish website, where youll find a number of useful services and a wealth of information in Spanish. Just visit www.segurosocial.gov Perhaps the most impressive thing you can accomplish on our website in Spanish is to apply for Social Security retirement benefits! You can apply quickly and easily on your personal computer. The online application takes as little as 15 minutes. Once you complete the online application and sign it with the click of a mouse, your application is complete. In most cases, there are no documents to submit or additional paperwork to fill out. Online is the easiest way to apply, and you can do it in English or Spanish. In addition to applying for Social Security retirement benefits, you also can apply for Medicare in Spanish in as little as 10 minutes, from start to finish. If you are not ready to apply for benefits now, there are still a number of reasons to visit the Social Security website. You can find a lot of information and a number of online services that allow you to complete your Social Security business online, in English or Spanish. One of the most popular is our Retirement Estimator, which provides an instant, personalized estimate of your future Social Security benefits. Using the actual wages posted in your Social Security record, the Estimator will give you a good picture of what benefits you may receive. It protects your personal information by providing only retirement benefit estimates it does not show the earnings information used to calculate the benefit estimate, nor does it reveal other identifying information. You can plug in different retirement scenarios and future wage amounts to get estimates for different situations. Try it out at www. socialsecurity.gov/espanol/ calculador. If you already are entitled to Medicare and are having trouble with the cost of prescription drugs, you might qualify for Extra Help from Social Security. The Extra Help can save you as much as $4,000 each year on your prescription drug costs. You can learn all about it and apply online at www.socialsecurity.gov/prescriptionhelp/ index_sp.htm. On the right side of the website, under the Frequently Asked Questions, youll find a red envelope. Select it to receive email updates on the latest Social Security news and information. You can get your updates in English at www.socialsecurity. gov or in Spanish at www. segurosocial.gov . Whether you prefer to do business online in Spanish or English, our website is the place for you. Visit www. segurosocial.gov or www. socialsecurity.gov during Cinco de Mayo, or anytime.

Youve earned responsible solutions, not harmful cuts.

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