Social Security eNews Archives

Social Security eNews

Published on January 1, 2001
Issue 12

Welcome to the January 1, 2001, edition of Social Security eNews. Were you out celebrating the true beginning of the new millennium? Probably not, because we've heard that 80 percent of all Americans were spending New Year's Eve in their own homes. And how many of you are kowtowing to the tradition of making New Year's resolutions? No corny New Year's resolutions for us. We'll simply focus our attention on what's coming this month. To find out more, please read on.

Quick glance at this month's eNews:

• MEDICARE GENERAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD BEGINS
• IMPORTANT NEWS FOR WOMEN BUSINESS OWNERS
• SOCIAL SECURITY CUSTOMER SATISFACTION HIGH
• NEW PSA HITS THE SCREEN (TV, MOVIE, AND PC)
• SPECIAL PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFITS FOR VETERANS
• ACCESS AMERICA FOR SENIORS NOW FIRSTGOV FOR SENIORS

MEDICARE GENERAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD BEGINS

If you are eligible for Medicare Medical Insurance (Part B), but haven't signed up, you can do so now during Medicare's annual enrollment period-from today until March 31. As long as you sign up by this date, your coverage will begin on July 1, 2001. Medicare Part B helps pay for doctor's visits, outpatient hospital treatment, and other medical services and supplies not covered by Medicare Part A. The cost for the Part B premium is $50 a month for 2001. Beneficiaries with Medicare Part A who originally decided not to sign up for Part B when they first became eligible for Medicare can now take advantage of this opportunity (there is an additional 10 percent added to the premium for each year of prior eligibility). Also, anyone who had Medicare Part B at one time, but dropped, out can now re-enroll.

If you are interested in enrolling in Medicare, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, or contact your local Social Security office. To find out more about the Medicare program, you'll want to check out our Medicare booklet. We offer additional helpful links from there as well.
http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10043.html

Would you believe that many working women in this country won't be eligible for Social Security benefits based on their own earnings? Many women work with their husbands in a family-owned business without earning Social Security credits because they don't file a separate self-employment return with their federal income tax return. Filing a self-employed tax return will mean that both pay Social Security taxes, but it could save money later, because it provides both partners with Social Security retirement benefits and disability insurance protection. It also provides advantages in case of death or divorce. Be sure to check your Social Security Statement to make sure you're protecting your Social Security future.
http://www.ssa.gov/mystatement/

We received an 84 in the most recent American Customer Satisfaction Index Survey (ACSI) performed by the University of Michigan. One of the highest scores in federal government! The survey focused on our customers who receive retirement benefits (our largest customer base serving 28.3 million beneficiaries). According to survey results, our employees were cited as courteous and professional, and our benefit payments were made timely. Some customers would like us to make our employees even more accessible and easier to reach than they are today. And since one of our favorite buzzwords continues to be accessibility, we are all for it!
http://www.ssa.gov/pressoffice/acsi/

We are committed to raising public awareness about what is needed to successfully plan for long-term financial independence. And to do so, we just kicked off a new public service campaign on the importance of the Social Security Statement. We're partnering with the American Savings and Education Council to promote the Public Service Announcement (PSA) and to help place it in movie theaters across the country. In 1999, more than one billion people attended the movies. So, look for our PSA to hit both the small screen and the big screen! Check it out here first.

Did you know that one out of every four adult Social Security beneficiaries has served in the military? We want our veterans to know about an important prescription drug benefit available from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). A 30-day supply of prescription medications costs only $2 through the VA (disabled or low-income veterans can receive medications for free). To take advantage of this benefit, a veteran must have been honorably discharged from the military, must enroll with the VA, and must be seen by a VA doctor. The VA may charge for a doctor visit, but your insurance may cover this charge (disabled or low-income veterans can visit doctors for free). If you would like to find out more about this and other health benefits through the VA, you can call, toll-free, 1-877-222-VETS (1-877-222-8387). For information about military service and Social Security, check out our fact sheet.
http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10017.html

Access America for Seniors has joined in a partnership with FirstGov.gov and changed its name to FirstGov for Seniors. FirstGov is the premier portal site on the web linking to government services. The web address remains the same. Take another look at this great site.
http://www.seniors.gov/

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