June 2021
The Top 10 Baby Names of 2020 are Here
Olivia and Liam are once again America’s most popular baby names in 2020. The top three names for both girls - Olivia, Emma, and Ava - and boys - Liam, Noah, and Oliver - remain the same for the second year in a row.
In fact, out of both Top 10 lists combined, only two names changed, with the traditional names Henry and Alexander edging out Mason and Ethan. The name Henry has been steadily rising in popularity, last appearing in the Top 10 over a century ago, in 1910. For all of the top baby names of 2020, and to see where your name ranks, visit our Baby Names page at www.ssa.gov/babynames.
Please encourage your clients to enjoy the baby names list and, while online, create a personal my Social Security account at www.ssa.gov/myaccount. my Social Security is a personalized online account that they can use during their working years and while receiving Social Security benefits.
Choose a Representative Payee for Social Security to Consider Before You May Need One
The future can be uncertain. However, our Advance Designation program can help your clients if a time comes when they need a representative payee to help manage their Social Security benefits or Supplemental Security Income payments. Advance Designation enables someone to identify up to three people, in priority order, who they would like to serve as their potential representative payee.
We recently celebrated the one-year anniversary of our Advance Designation program. Since its launch in March 2020, more than one million eligible individuals have opted to participate.
Adults and emancipated minors who do not have representative payees may make advance designations whether they are applying for, or receiving, benefits. If your clients are eligible, they may provide and update Advance Designation information when they:
- File a claim for benefits online.
- Use the application available in their personal my Social Security account at www.ssa.gov/myaccount.
- Call us by telephone at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).
Your clients may also change their Advance Designation(s), including the priority order, at any time if they are still capable of making their own decisions. In the event that they can no longer make their own decisions, your clients and their families will have peace of mind knowing they have already chosen someone they trust to manage their benefits.
Your clients can learn more about Advance Designation at www.ssa.gov/payee/advance_designation.htm. They may also find more information about representative payees in our blog post at blog.ssa.gov/making-wise-choices-when-a-representative-payee-manages-your-money/.
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) is June 15. WEAAD provides an opportunity for communities around the world to raise awareness about elder abuse and neglect.
We remain committed to protecting people from fraud and scams. To avoid falling victim, your clients can:
We will be participating in the National Center on Elder Abuse’s WEAAD webinar titled “Coming Back Strong after COVID-19: Federal Elder Justice Innovations and Resources.” The webinar will take place on Wednesday, June 9, 2021 at 9 a.m. PT / 12 p.m. ET. Your clients can register via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Tl1TOwPOQDeDJpzNWVpNvg.
What to Do If Your Clients are Missing Economic Impact Payments
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued the third round of Economic Impact Payments (EIPs) in April. Most Social Security beneficiaries and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients should have received their EIPs by now. Do you have clients who believe they missed an EIP for themselves, an eligible spouse, or eligible dependents, from this round or any previous round of EIPs?
Your clients can visit our Economic Impact Payments and Tax Credits page at www.ssa.gov/eip to learn more about what steps to take. They may need to file a 2020 tax return with the IRS and claim the Recovery Rebate Credit to receive missing first or second EIPs, even if they do not have income to report for 2020. The IRS will send your clients any additional third EIP amount they are eligible for in 2021 separately. Our web page also provides links to the IRS where your clients may be able to file their federal taxes free of charge at www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free.
Please let your clients know that they should contact the IRS for questions about tax-related topics and economic income payments.
International Widows’ Day
International Widows’ Day takes place annually on June 23. We understand the financial difficulty that can come with the loss of a spouse. Social Security provides monthly financial support to widows and widowers. Eligibility depends on a person’s age, disability determination, and if they have the deceased person’s child in their care.
If your client has lost a spouse, please encourage them to learn more at www.ssa.gov/benefits/survivors.
SSA Receives Certificate of Excellence in Accountability Reporting
The Association of Government Accountants awarded us the Certificate of Excellence in Accountability Reporting (CEAR) for our fiscal year 2020 Agency Financial Report. The CEAR program aims to improve accountability through streamlined, effective reporting that clearly demonstrates Federal agency accomplishments and challenges. We have received the CEAR award for 23 consecutive years, an unprecedented accomplishment.
Retirement Benefits Web Portal Wins a ClearMark Award
Social Security’s “Retirement Benefits Web Portal” is the 2021 ClearMark Award winner for the “Website” category. The portal is also a finalist for the Grand ClearMark Award. You can view the portal at www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement.
The ClearMark awards are given yearly to the best plain language documents and web sites. A panel of international experts judges the entries, following a strict set of criteria. To view a full list of the awardees, visit https://centerforplainlanguage.org/2021-clearmark-winners/.
