May 2018
Top Ten Baby Names Are Here!
Social Security is with you from day one when you get a Social Security number in those first few days of life.
That makes us the source for the most popular baby names! We’re able to determine the most popular baby names
from the prior year based on requests for Social Security numbers for newborns.
What were the most popular names of 2017?
Coming in at number 10 are Jacob and Abigail, dropping lower on the list as compared to 2016’s list. At number
nine, Oliver and Evelyn, both of which finally broke into the top 10 after coming close last year, the latter
for the first time since 1915! In fact, there are several names celebrating their first introduction to the
list; you can see the rest of the top 10 on our baby names page!
Most parents apply for their child’s Social Security number at birth, usually through the hospital. They’ll
need their number throughout many important stages in their life, beginning when their parent claims them
on their tax return. It’ll also be useful if they need to apply for benefits for the child.
Baby Names creates lots of first-time visitors to SocialSecurity.gov. Once there, we hope those visitors will
create a my
Social Security account and find out all the other things they can do online!
Social Security is with your clients and their children throughout life’s journey. To learn more about baby
names, a newborn’s Social Security number, benefits for children, and to see the full list of top names, visit
www.socialsecurity.gov/babynames.
A New Way to Report Tax Identity Theft
Tax-related identity theft happens when someone steals your Social Security number and other personal information, files a tax return, and claims your refund. You might find out about it when you try to e-file — and learn that someone already submitted a return — or when the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) sends you a letter saying it received a suspicious tax return with your Social Security number.
A new service from the Federal Trade Commission and IRS allows people to report tax-related identity theft to the IRS online and get help making an identity theft recovery plan. Inform your clients that they can protect themselves and find out what steps to take if they are a victim by pointing them to IdentityTheft.gov.
Social Security Benefits Older Americans
May was Older Americans Month — a time to support and celebrate our aging loved ones, friends, and neighbors. Social Security has been helping older Americans for over 80 years, primarily with retirement benefits.
If you or your clients have contributed enough to the Social Security system through payroll taxes, you can receive your full retirement benefit at age 66 or 67 depending on when you were born. You may also claim it sooner, starting at age 62, at a permanently reduced rate. Or you may wait until after your full retirement age, increasing your benefit amount by up to eight percent per full year until age 70. No matter when you or your clients decide to retire, having a plan in place is essential.
Social Security is here to help prepare people and families for a financially secure future. Invite your clients to use the planners available at www.socialsecurity.gov/planners/retire.
Social Security’s First Spanish Language Facebook Live Event
Last month, Social Security hosted its first Facebook Live event in Spanish. Titled “Get to Know Your Social Security Benefits,” this live chat took place on Tuesday, April 10, 2018 at 7 p.m. ET. During the broadcast, Social Security employees discussed the Social Security program and explained the “Five Steps Toward Your Financial Security”.
You and your clients can view our Spanish Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pg/segurosocial.
We also archive our Facebook Live events at www.youtube.com/socialsecurity.
Social Security Testifies Before Congress
Acting Commissioner Nancy A. Berryhill testified before the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security on May 17. Speaking on the topic Securing Americans' Identities: The Future of the Social Security Number, she said the following:
“While not intended, the SSN has become the personal identifier most broadly used by both government and the private sector to establish and maintain information about individuals. Before the widespread use of the SSN outside of Social Security programs (for purposes such as establishing credit), there were few incentives to obtain fraudulent SSNs or counterfeit cards. However, as the use of the SSN expanded, so too did incentives to obtain fraudulent SSNs, giving rise to concerns about the integrity of the number and card. Working with Congress, we have made changes to protect the integrity of the number. These efforts focus on increasing the security of the SSN and card, confirming the authenticity of the SSN and card through SSN verifications, and educating the public.”
You and your clients can read the entire testimony at www.socialsecurity.gov/legislation/testimony_051718.html.
Securing Today and Tomorrow for All
Social Security takes pride in supporting people from all backgrounds. In May, we celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month in the United States. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are one of the fastest-growing ethnic groups in America, including one of the fastest-growing populations of older adults.
Our website has many resources for the AAPI community. There you will find out why Social Security is especially important to AAPIs and their families. Visit our website and learn about the various ways in which we help the AAPI community secure today and tomorrow. You and your clients can view our website for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders at www.socialsecurity.gov/people/aapi.
