December 2016
Happy Holidays from Social Security!
We would like to wish you happy holidays from the Social Security family to yours! The spirit of giving is at the heart of what we do — supporting those in need all year long. Should you need to do business with us around the New Year’s holiday, we want you to know that our offices will be closed the day after New Year’s Day, January 2. However, our online services are available.
For a list of our secure and convenient online services, please visit www.socialsecurity.gov/onlineservices.
Now is the Time for Affordable Care Act Enrollment
Enrollment for affordable healthcare is open until January 31, 2017, which is the last day to enroll in or change a 2017 health plan. You and your clients can learn more about the Health Insurance Marketplace and how to apply for benefits at www.healthcare.gov.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) also ensures that even if you have a preexisting condition you will be covered. If you are already covered, but want to change your plan, this is the time to do it. You or your family may have experienced changes over the last year that would make you want to update your coverage. Over the past two open enrollment periods, over 20 million individuals have enrolled in affordable health coverage, many for the first time. We now have the lowest uninsured rate in the country’s history.
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January 1, 2017: 2017 coverage starts for those who enrolled or changed plans by December 15.
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January 31, 2017: Last day to enroll in or change a 2017 health plan. After this date, you can enroll or change plans only if you qualify for a special enrollment period.
Even if you’re just curious about the many plans in the open marketplace, you and your clients can compare healthcare plans at https://www.healthcare.gov/have-coverage.
Social Security Appeals Made Even Easier for You
We are always improving the way you and your clients can do business with us. As of December 10, claimants can file an appeal online for non-medical determinations and adverse actions--even if they live outside the United States. Examples of non-medical appeals include appealing an overpayment and appealing Medicare premium rates. You and your clients can find the link at www.socialsecurity.gov/benefits/disability/appeal.html.
The online appeals application is simple, convenient, and secure. It guides claimants through every step of the process. From outlining their rights to an appeal, to publications on the appeals process, a fair review of their case is right at their fingertips. The application also lets claimants upload supporting documentation and save their submission.
We are constantly looking for ways to make our services accessible and readily available when our customers need them. It’s part of our commitment to delivering excellent service and providing claimants with more options, like an online appeal, to conduct their business.
Visit www.socialsecurity.gov/onlineservices to see the many secure services we provide online.
Social Security Continues to Innovate with New Features: Application Status
In an effort to serve you and your clients better and to meet our goal to deliver innovative, quality services, we are improving how your clients can check the status of their Social Security benefit application online.
Placing the “application status” feature behind
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Social Security provides a secure service delivery channel that will allow the Agency to provide detailed status information without requiring a confirmation number.
Our first service improvement will include status information for Social Security and any Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits initial claims and appeals, but future modifications will include allowing your clients to check the status of medical and non-medical redeterminations.
With the new application status, you will see:
- the re-entry number for in-progress online applications;
- detailed information about the current status of the application or appeal;
- the location where the claim is being processed; and
- scheduled hearing information for appeals.
Log into
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Social Security to see what other personalized features are available to your clients at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.
Get Replacement Social Security Tax Forms Online with Ease
Preparing for tax season can seem overwhelming. Some forms and paperwork might be difficult to track down. We have made this much easier with annual Benefit Statements.
An SSA-1099, or Benefit Statement, is a tax form Social Security mails each year in January to people who receive Social Security benefits. It shows the total amount of Social Security benefits received in the previous year so people know how much Social Security income to report to IRS on their tax return.
For noncitizens who live outside of the United States and who received or repaid Social Security benefits last year, we will send form SSA-1042S instead. The forms SSA-1099 and SSA-1042S are not available for people who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
If your clients currently live in the United States and need a replacement form SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S, we have a way for them to get an instant replacement, quickly and easily. Encourage your clients to go online and get an instant replacement form with a
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Social Security account at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. The online replacement form is available beginning February 1, 2017.
Every working person in the U.S. should create a
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Social Security account. The secure and personalized features of
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Social Security are invaluable in securing a comfortable retirement — for today and tomorrow.
November 2016
Veteran Health Records Now Available without Delay
Social Security is always finding new ways to provide world-class service. We now receive Veteran and eligible family member’s medical records electronically from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) using health information technology (health IT).
We request close to 15 million medical records from healthcare organizations to make decisions on about three million disability claims annually. Health IT brings the speed and power of electronic medical records to the disability determination process. With health IT, we can obtain medical records in minutes.
We have added the VA to the Department of Defense and more than 50 other health IT partners, which represent about 7,000 facilities across the country that provide us with electronic health records. When we receive medical records immediately and electronically, we are speeding claims processing time and reducing manual efforts. Health IT has already helped obtain records for hundreds of thousands of disability claims.
Our goal is to continue expanding the number of healthcare organizations and federal agencies providing electronic health records to us, within a safe and secure environment, and to meet the needs of our customers.
You and your clients can learn more about this initiative here www.socialsecurity.gov/hit.
Act Now — Affordable Healthcare Act Enrollment is Open
Enrollment for affordable healthcare opened on November 1, 2016 and will run through January 31, 2017. Now is the time to compare healthcare plans so that you can find the best one for you. You and your clients can learn more about the Health Insurance Marketplace, how to apply for benefits, and available subsidies at
www.healthcare.gov.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) also ensures that even if you have a preexisting condition, you will be covered. If you are already covered and want to change your plan, this is the time to do it. Factors might have changed over the last year that would make you want to update your coverage. Over the past two open enrollment periods, over 20 million individuals have enrolled in affordable health coverage, many for the first time. We now have the lowest uninsured rate in the country’s history.
Important dates to remember are:
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December 15, 2016: Last day to enroll in or change plans for coverage to start January 1, 2017.
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January 1, 2017: 2017 coverage starts for those who enroll or change plans by December 15.
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January 31, 2017: Last day to enroll in or change a 2017 health plan. After this date, you can enroll or change plans only if you qualify for a special enrollment period.
Even if you’re just curious about the many plans in the open marketplace, you and your clients can compare healthcare plans at www.healthcare.gov/have-coverage.
Helping Veterans and Active Duty Military Members
For veterans and active duty members of the military who return home with injuries, Social Security is a resource they can turn to. If you know any wounded veterans, please let them know about Social Security’s Wounded Warriors website at www.socialsecurity.gov/woundedwarriors.
Benefits available through Social Security are different than those from the Department of Veterans Affairs and require a separate application. The expedited process is used for military service members who become disabled while on active military service on or after October 1, 2001, regardless of where the disability occurs.
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’re unable to work due to a disabling condition. Active duty status and receipt of military pay doesn’t necessarily prevent payment of Social Security disability benefits. Although a person can’t receive Social Security disability benefits while engaging in substantial work for pay or profit, receipt of military payments should never stop someone from applying for disability benefits from Social Security.
Social Security is proud to support the veterans and active duty members of the military. Let these heroes know they can count on us when they need to take advantage of their earned benefits at www.socialsecurity.gov/woundedwarriors.
Social Security Holiday Field Office Closings
Social Security would like to wish you happy holidays and season’s greetings from our family to yours! The spirit of giving is at the heart of what we do — supporting those in need all year long. Should you need to do business with us during the holiday season, we want you to know that our offices will be closed the day after Christmas Day, December 26, and the day after New Year’s Day, January 2.
For a list of our secure and convenient online services, please visit www.socialsecurity.gov/onlineservices.
2017 Brings New Changes to Full Retirement Age
Changes are coming with the New Year to Social Security retirement beneficiaries. People who were born 01/02/1955 through 01/01/1956 will attain full retirement age at age 66 and two months.
Full retirement age is the age at which a person may first become entitled to full or unreduced retirement benefits. You can check you full retirement age at www.socialsecurity.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/agereduction.html.
As the full retirement age increases, there will be decreases in benefits claimed at ages prior to full retirement age. You can learn more about the full retirement age on our website and how to calculate your own.
Some things you must remember when you are thinking about retirement:
- You may start receiving Social Security benefits as early as age 62 or as late as age 70. The longer you wait, the higher your monthly benefit will be.
- Your monthly benefits will be reduced if you start them any time before full retirement age: www.socialsecurity.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/agereduction.html.
- If you elect to receive benefits before you reach full retirement age, you should understand how continuing to work can affect your benefits: www.socialsecurity.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/whileworking.html.
- If you die, your retirement date can affect the payment to your surviving loved ones. If you started receiving retirement benefits before full retirement age, we cannot pay the full retirement age benefit amount to your survivors. Their benefit amount will be based on your reduced benefits.
You and your clients can learn more by visiting our
Retirement Estimator at www.socialsecurity.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/.
October 2016
Social Security Benefits to Increase in 2017
The annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) can provide an increase in the benefit amount people receive each month. By law, the monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) federal benefit rate increases when there is a rise in the cost of living as determined by the Department of Labor’s Consumer Price Index (CPI-W).
The CPI-W rose this year. When inflation increases, your cost of living also goes up. Prices for goods and services, on average, are a little more expensive. Since the CPI-W did rise, the law increases benefits to help offset inflation. As a result, monthly Social Security and SSI benefits for over 65 million Americans will increase 0.3 percent in 2017.
Other changes that would normally take effect based on changes in the national average wage index will begin in January 2017. For example, the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security payroll tax will increase to $127,200. You can read a new fact sheet that provides more information on 2017 Social Security and SSI changes at www.socialsecurity.gov/news/press/factsheets/colafacts2017.pdf.
For information about the 2017 COLA, go to www.socialsecurity.gov/cola.
For additional information about changes in the national average wage index, go to www.socialsecurity.gov/OACT/COLA/AWI.html.
To get more Social Security news, follow the Press Office on Twitter @SSAPress.
Act Now! Open Enrollment for Affordable Healthcare
Open enrollment for affordable healthcare begins November 1 and lasts until January 31, 2017. If you want your coverage to begin on the first of the year, you will have to enroll by December 15. Now is the time to compare healthcare plans so that you can find the best one for you. You and your clients can learn more about the Health Insurance Marketplace and how to apply for benefits at www.healthcare.gov.
Signed into law on March 23, 2010, the Affordable Care Act provides Americans with better healthcare security by expanding coverage, lowering healthcare costs, guaranteeing more choice, and enhancing the quality of care for all Americans. An estimated 20 million people have gained health insurance coverage because of the Affordable Care Act – more than 6 million of them were uninsured young adults. We now have the lowest uninsured rate in the country’s history.
No matter who you are, you and your clients are entitled to affordable healthcare. It's a crucial part of securing today and tomorrow. The Affordable Care Act also ensures that even if you have a preexisting condition you will be covered. If you are already covered and want to change your plan, this is the time to do it. Factors might have changed over the last year that would make you want to update your coverage. Even if you’re just curious about the many plans in the open marketplace, you can compare healthcare plans at
www.healthcare.gov.
Social Security is Committed to Customer Service
In 1992, the U.S. Congress designated the first full week in October to be Customer Service Week, a nationally recognized event celebrated annually. Social Security realizes the importance of customer service, and took the time to recognize all of our hard-working employees. We do so not only during Customer Service Week, but all year long.
The theme for Customer Service Week this year was “Service Champions.” Social Security employees are often champions to the millions of people they serve — including wounded warriors, disabled, children, and the elderly. This is a week to say “thank you,” raise awareness of the importance of customer service, and remind customers of Social Security’s commitment to customer satisfaction.
Customer Service Week also supports Vision 2025, Social Security’s vision for the next decade. You and your clients can view Social Security’s Vision 2025 at www.socialsecurity.gov/vision2025.
Social Security Opens the Fifth National Disability Forum
The National Disability Forum is an open forum that gives all interested stakeholders an opportunity to share their unique insights on topics of particular interest to them and to Social Security, and to communicate directly with policy makers. The forum provides an opportunity for stakeholders to hear from one another. Open to everyone, the Disability Forum is not intended to be a means for reaching agreement on any particular issue, and Social Security’s participation is for the purpose of gaining insight through listening.
The theme is “Exploring Opportunities to Advance the Disability Program through Telehealth and Telemedicine.” Telehealth encompasses a variety of ways to use video and other technology to enhance healthcare and education delivery.
Telemedicine involves clinical services provided by interactive communication, most commonly a video, between a patient and a practitioner at different locations. We are eager to hear your input on ways that telehealth and telemedicine might be able to help us better serve individuals with disabilities and improve the overall administration of our programs.
The National Disability Forum is scheduled for Thursday, October 27, 2016 from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. EDT at the National Education Association located at 1201 16th Street, NW, Washington D.C.. The forum will also be available via teleconference. Register for the event at www.research.net/r/NationalDisabilityOct2016.
You and your clients can learn more about the National Disability Forum series at www.socialsecurity.gov/ndf.
September 2016
SSA Adds More States that can Replace Social Security Cards Online
Arizona, Maryland, and South Dakota are the most recent states to benefit from Social Security’s efforts to make more services available online. Residents of these states can request a replacement Social Security card online using
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Social Security. Your state might also be available; check it out here. It’s an easy, convenient, and secure way to request a replacement card online.
To request a replacement card online, you must:
- Have or create a
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Social Security account;
- Have a valid driver’s license in a participating state or the District of Columbia (or a state-issued identification card in some states);
- Be age 18 or older and a United States citizen with a domestic United States mailing address (this includes Army Post Office, Fleet Post Office, and Diplomatic Post Office addresses); and
- Not be requesting a name change or any other changes to your card.
We will provide updates when the service becomes available in additional states. With a secure
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Social Security account, you can also:
- Keep track of your earnings and verify them every year;
- Get an estimate of your future benefits, if you are still working;
- Get a letter with proof of your benefits, if you currently receive them; and
- Manage your benefits:
- Change your address and phone number;
- Start or change your direct deposit;
- Get a replacement Medicare card; and
- Get a replacement SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S for tax season.
Visit
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Social Security at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.
Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference
In September, Social Security participated in the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference as part of our commitment to serve the African-American community.
African-Americans are more than twice as likely as whites to hold no financial assets and to have zero or negative net worth. Most African-American households have less than $10,000 in retirement savings and little invested in a retirement account.
Additionally, they are more likely to live with a disability than the general population, and less likely to live as long. Regardless of background or income level, all workers need to have a realistic financial plan to make the most of their resources. A great way to get started is by creating a
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Social Security account at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount, it’s free, fast, and secure.
Also, the Department of the Treasury’s
myRA account is an easy and affordable way for you to save for retirement, if you do not have a retirement plan through your employer. Visit
myRA at www.myra.gov for more information.
Social Security testifies before the Senate Special Committee on Aging
On September 14, 2016, Virginia Reno, Deputy Commissioner for Retirement and Disability Policy, testified before the Senate Special Committee on Aging. The title of the hearing was, “Maximizing Your Social Security Benefits: What You Need to Know.” At the hearing, Ms. Reno talked about the ways Social Security provides information to help workers and their family members decide when to file a claim for Social Security retirement benefits. She discussed the resources that are available to help people make the best decision for their individual situations, including information we provide both before and at the point of filing. Some of the resources include the
Social Security Statement, our website, publications, outreach, and more.
Charles Jeszeck, the Director of Education, Workforce, and Income Security of the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO), also testified. He provided a summary of a recent GAO report that addressed the extent to which people understand Social Security rules affecting their retirement benefits. Included in his report was information Social Security provides to assist individuals in making an informed decision when filing for benefits and other ways Social Security can better inform individuals about retirement options.
You and your clients can learn more about Social Security retirement options and resources at www.socialsecurity.gov/benefits/retirement/.
Social Security testifies before the Government Operations Subcommittee of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
On September 22, Marianna LaCanfora, Assistant Deputy Commissioner for Retirement and Disability Policy, testified before the Government Operations subcommittee of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. The focus of the hearing was government efforts to reduce improper payments, and compliance with the Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Act of 2010.
Ms. LaCanfora's testimony highlighted the many methods Social Security uses to maintain a high payment accuracy rate and reduce improper payments. She noted that the overpayment accuracy for the Old Age Survivors and Disability Insurance Program was 99.6 percent in 2015. She also noted that, while reducing improper payments in the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program is one of Social Security's greatest challenges, we have made progress. In FY 2015, our SSI overpayment accuracy rate was 93.8 percent, the highest since 2003.
You and your clients can learn more about SSI at www.socialsecurity.gov/ssi.
Social Security testifies before the Social Security Subcommittee of the House Committee on Ways and Means
On September 21, Stephen Goss, Social Security's Chief Actuary, testified before the Social Security Subcommittee of the House Committee on Ways and Means. The subject of the hearing were the estimates produced by the Social Security Trustees and the Congressional Budget Office regarding the Social Security program.
You and your clients can read Social Security’s Trustees reports at www.socialsecurity.gov/OACT/TR.
Bipartisan Budget Act and Social Security’s Fiscal Year 2017 Funding
The funding Social Security receives to administer its programs and serve the public has been strained in recent years. Social Security’s core operating budget has shrunk by 10 percent since 2010, after adjusting for inflation. While Social Security’s budget fell by 10 percent, the number of Social Security beneficiaries has increased by 12 percent during that same time.
Our fiscal year (FY) 2016 enacted budget was around $350 million less than the President’s Budget request. As a result, we were forced to constrain every aspect of the budget. We are sensitive to the fact that service delays cause hardships for our most vulnerable citizens and we work tirelessly to compensate for budget shortfalls.
Our FY 2017 President’s budget request of $13.067 billion will allow us to rebound from our current situation, modernize our service delivery, and strengthen the integrity of our programs. This funding level will allow us to increase our program integrity work at the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 level ($1.819 billion). Funding at this level supports the hiring of critical frontline positions associated with processing continuing disability reviews and SSI redeterminations.
Social Security Revises Medical Criteria for Evaluating Mental Disorders
On September 26, 2016, the Social Security Administration published a final rule, “Revised Medical Criteria for Evaluating Mental Disorders.” This regulation reflects the most comprehensive revision in over 30 years to the criteria we use to evaluate disability claims involving mental disorders.
With the publication of this final rule, our standards for evaluating claims involving mental disorders will reflect up-to-date standards and practices used in the mental health community. The rule becomes effective on January 17, 2017.
The rule reflects information from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, which is the mental health profession’s standard for classifying mental disorders. Our criteria for evaluating intellectual disability generated significant public interest. Besides reflecting comments from members of the public, the rule reflects the expertise of disability policy experts, adjudicators, psychiatric professionals, and vocational experts, who provided input at every phase of the rulemaking process.
People with mental disorders are some of the most vulnerable members in our society and we take seriously our obligation to provide them with effective service and support. Publishing this rule is an important cornerstone of that effort.
You and your clients can read the detailed press release at www.ssa.gov/news/press/releases/#/post/9-2016-1 and also our blog post at blog.socialsecurity.gov/mental-disorders-rule-update.
August 2016
Expanded SSI Application Window for Foster Kids
The transition to adulthood is one of the most important parts of life’s journey. For foster children living with a disability, it can be even more challenging. Social Security is conducting a pilot study that will let these young people apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits sooner.
Since 2010, our policy has been to allow foster children to apply for this program up to 90 days before their foster care eligibility ends. This lessens the risk that these young people will experience a gap in income support while we consider their application. However, in some cases the decision process can last longer than 90 days.
On August 1, 2016, we implemented a year-long pilot study doubling the SSI application window to 180 days before foster care eligibility ends. This pilot will help us assess whether the longer period significantly reduces the number of individuals experiencing gaps in income support. After a year, we will decide whether to make this policy permanent. For more information, you and your clients can visit our spotlight page at www.socialsecurity.gov/ssi/spotlights/spot-disabled-youth.htm.
Social Security Temporarily Rolls Back Multifactor Authentication
On July 30, 2016, Social Security began requiring new and current
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Social Security account holders to sign into their account using a one-time code sent via text message. This second layer of security that requires more than a username and a password is known as “multifactor authentication.” We recently mandated this second layer of security to comply with the President’s Executive Order on
Improving the Security of Consumer Financial Transactions. We implemented it aggressively because we have a fundamental responsibility to protect the public’s personal information.
Our aggressive implementation resulted in some of our customers being unable to access their
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Social Security accounts. We listened to the public’s concerns, and have temporarily rolled back this mandate.
As before July 30, current account holders will be able to access their secure account using only their username and password. We highly recommend the extra security text message option, but it will not be required. Now, we are developing an alternative authentication option, besides text messaging, that we will begin implementing within the next six months.
We strive to balance security and customer service options, and we want to ensure that our online services are both easy to use and secure. The
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Social Security service has always featured a robust verification and authentication process, and it remains safe and secure.
We regret any inconvenience you or your clients may have experienced. There is no requirement that you access your personal
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Social Security account as a result of the steps we are taking. However, when you do access your account, we encourage you to sign up for the extra security text message option. You can access your account by visiting www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.
New CDI Unit Opens in South Dakota
The Cooperative Disability Investigations (CDI) Program is a joint effort among federal and state agencies to effectively pool resources to prevent fraud in Social Security’s disability programs and related federal and state programs. This effort supports the agency's strategic goals of
- ensuring superior stewardship of Social Security programs and resources by preventing fraudulent and erroneous payments and improving debt management;
- increasing the accuracy of earnings records;
- strengthening the integrity of the Social Security number; and
- efficiently managing agency finances and assets.
Our newest unit just opened in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. We anticipate it will be fully operational by the end of fiscal year 2016.
Also, this month, Acting Commissioner Carolyn W. Colvin helped dedicate the open and operating CDI unit in Raleigh, North Carolina.
You and your clients can learn more about CDI and The Office of the Inspector General and our disability investigations at oig.ssa.gov/cooperative-disability-investigations-cdi.
At 81, Social Security is an Expert You Can Count On
Social Security celebrated its 81st anniversary in August. It’s no surprise we are experts in retirement planning and preparation. And we are also experts on your personal work history. We have been there from the very beginning — when you were born and when you got your first job.
We track your work history so you get the benefits you are entitled to, be it disability benefits if you need them or retirement benefits when you reach retirement age. The best way to access your personal information is through our secure website,
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Social Security at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. There, you can see your work history. You can also estimate your future retirement benefits as well as view your
Social Security Statement. We encourage you and your clients to check your
Statement annually to ensure that we have recorded your earnings correctly.
With over 80 years of experience, we know that the more information you have, the better prepared you will be for retirement. We are with you every step of the way. Visit www.socialsecurity.gov to get started today.
July 2016
New Online Security
We’ve added an extra layer of security for our customers when they interact with us online.
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Social Security account holders will need to use their cell phone as an additional authentication factor during online registration and every sign in.
This new multifactor authentication requirement is the result of an executive order for federal agencies to provide more secure authentication for their online services. Any agency that provides online access to a customer’s personal information must use multifactor authentication. We take the security of the public's information very seriously, and continually use a proactive approach to improve our online services.
Since the release of
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Social Security in May 2012, almost 26 million individuals have signed up for an account. Previously, we offered multifactor authentication, but only for customers who opted to register for a
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Social Security account with extra security.
Our new authentication requires customers to use a security code we send to their cell phones to register and sign in. Cell phone provider’s text message and data rates may apply.
We’re committed to using the best technologies and standards available to protect our customers’ data. Multifactor authentication is just one of the ways we’re ensuring the safety and security of the resources entrusted to us. Visit
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Social Security at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.
Beat the Heat with
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Social Security
We are in the midst of the dog days of summer. Why take time away from barbeques and baseball games to visit your local Social Security office? Stay cool and conduct your business online using a
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Social Security account.
Having a personal and secure account makes doing business with us easy and convenient, but better yet, it empowers you. You can access the services you need in the convenience of your own home without traveling to a local office and waiting in line. To sign up, go to www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.
With a
my
Social Security account, you can:
- Obtain your
Social Security Statement for a personalized estimate of your future Social Security benefits;
- Verify the accuracy of your earnings record — your future benefit amounts are based on your earnings record;
- Change your address and phone number, if you receive monthly Social Security benefits;
- Sign up for or change Direct Deposit of your Social Security benefits;
- Get a replacement SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S for tax purposes; and
- Obtain estimates of the Social Security and Medicare taxes you’ve paid.
In some areas, you can even request a replacement Social Security card using
my
Social Security.
With
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Social Security, you can spend less time waiting in line and more time doing the things you enjoy—in or out of the heat. And with newly enhanced security features, signing up is even safer than ever. Just visit www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.
Social Security Advisory Board Hosts Public Forum for the SSI Program
The Public Forum for the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program met on July 12, at the Carnegie Library in Washington D.C. Both Henry Aaron, the chair of the Social Security Advisory Board, and Acting Commissioner Carolyn W. Colvin spoke about the importance of the programs. Forum sessions included:
- SSI resource limits and the ABLE Act;
- SSI policies on in-kind support and maintenance;
- Policy and practice on child welfare programs; and
- SSI youth transitions to adulthood.
You and your clients can learn more about the Social Security Advisory Board and all the work that they do at www.ssab.gov.
Is The Catcher in the Rye Ready to Retire?
It’s hard to believe the seminal novel,
Catcher in the Rye, turned 65 this year. This means that Holden Caulfield, the book’s scruffy protagonist, would be well into retirement.
When
Catcher in the Rye was published in 1951, no one could have imagined that there would be an internet, or how convenient it would become. If you had told Holden that he could file for retirement benefits from the comfort of his home, he would have fallen down laughing. Social Security knows better. We’ve grown up fast and adapted with the times. All you have to do is look at our many online services as proof.
A great example is our online suite of retirement resources. At www.socialsecurity.gov/benefits/retirement/ you can:
- File for retirement or Medicare benefits;
- Plan for your future;
- Calculate your future benefits;
- Read our many publications; and
- Find your full retirement age.
But the options don’t stop there. Holden Caulfield might have been full of angst in his youth, but we think that smart young man would have probably enjoyed a healthy retirement with the people he loved. You too can begin your own unique retirement journey at www.socialsecurity.gov/retire.
Providing Disability Benefits for 60 Years
On August 1, 2016, the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program, signed into law by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, will have been providing benefits for 60 years. Originally, the program was limited to individuals who were age 50 or older. It also had a six-month waiting period, and there were no benefits payable to any dependents. The disability program has undergone many changes to become the program it is today. Now, people who receive Social Security disability benefits can also receive Medicare coverage after 24 months, and their dependents may be eligible to receive benefits on their earnings records. There are also work incentives in place to help people with disabilities go to work.
As of June 2016, there are more than 10 million disabled workers and dependents receiving more than $11 billion each month in Social Security disability payments. It can happen to anyone: studies show that a 20-year-old worker has a 1-in-4 chance of becoming disabled before reaching their full retirement age.
To meet the challenges of providing benefits to so many, the agency has evolved, using technology to operate more efficiently. Access to online applications for disability benefits, reconsiderations, and hearings have given applicants more service options when applying for benefits. Our health IT initiative allows Social Security to access electronic medical records, including those from the U.S. Department of Defense, which reduces administrative costs, streamlines operations, and speeds up service to veterans. For more information about the disability program, please visit www.socialsecurity.gov/benefits/disability/.
June 2016
New States Added to Social Security’s Online Card Replacement
Residents of Idaho, Mississippi, North Dakota, and Pennsylvania can now order a replacement Social Security Card using their personal and secure
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Social Security account at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. The service is available in 11 states and the District of Columbia, and we will be adding new states in the coming months.
This is just one of many useful tools at
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Social Security. You can also:
- Obtain an instant, personalized estimate of your future Social Security benefits;
- Verify the accuracy of your earnings record — your future benefit amounts are based on your earnings record;
- Change your address and phone number, if you receive monthly Social Security benefits;
- Sign up for or change Direct Deposit of your Social Security benefits;
- Get a replacement SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S for tax season; and
- Obtain estimates of the Social Security and Medicare taxes you’ve paid.
Remember,
my
Social Security is just one of the vital resources that help you through your life’s journey. Access your personal account today at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.
Navigate Social Security with Ease
Social Security is constantly perfecting the way we interact with our customers. Millions of our customers rely on our website to file for retirement and disability benefits as well as other vital services. Your starting point is often our ever-improving homepage. Along with our recently updated Social Security homepage, you will now see a streamlined navigation bar.
This simplified version has just three choices: Search, Menu, and Sign In/Up. The old menu system on the home page forced users to sort through up to five layers before getting to the main content. The new menu presents the user with everything at once. These three choices offer more succinct search capabilities and quicker access to the most popular services.
Visit www.socialsecurity.gov to test it out yourself and see the many useful online services we provided to millions of Americans.
Update: 2016 Board of Trustees Report
Earlier this month, the Social Security Board of Trustees released its annual report on the current and projected financial status of the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) and Disability Insurance (DI) trust funds. The report gives the public a clear understanding of the long-term financial status of the Social Security program.
The combined asset reserves of the OASDI trust funds are again projected to become depleted in 2034, if Congress does not act before then.
In the 2016 Report to Congress, the trustees announced:
- The combined trust fund reserves are still growing and will continue to do so through 2019. Beginning in 2020, the cost of the program is projected to exceed income.
- The OASDI trust funds are projected to become depleted in 2034, when benefits will become payable at 79 percent.
- The DI trust fund will become depleted in 2023, extended from 2016 in last year’s estimate, with 89 percent of benefits payable.
- The projected actuarial deficit over the 75-year long-range period is 2.66 percent of taxable payroll — 0.02 percentage point less than in last year’s report.
For more than 80 years, Social Security has helped secure today and tomorrow with financial benefits, information, and tools that provide a safety net throughout life’s journey. The solvency of our programs relies on the accurate, up-to-date data provided in these yearly reports.
You and your clients can view the 2016 Trustees Report at www.socialsecurity.gov/OACT/TR/2016.
Updates to Our Resources for the Diverse People We Serve
Social Security is at the forefront of changing federal policy and adapting to the ever-evolving needs of our diverse population. Part of providing superior customer service to millions of people is changing our own policies to fit those needs while providing equality for all. This is why we have fully redesigned many of our webpages and updated our publications.
Last year, the Supreme Court issued a decision in
Obergefell v. Hodges stating that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry in all states. As a result, Social Security recognizes valid same-sex marriages for purposes of determining entitlement to Social Security benefits or eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Acting Commissioner Carolyn W. Colvin has said, “As with previous same-sex marriage policies, we worked closely with the Department of Justice. With the release of these instructions, we continue our commitment to treating all Americans fairly, with dignity and respect.”
We encourage anyone who believes they may be eligible for benefits to apply now. Learn more at our newly designed webpage, including a new publication, at www.socialsecurity.gov/same-sexcouples.
Teaming Up to Prevent Elder Abuse
The World Health Organization and the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse launched the first World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, 2006. Elder abuse is an epidemic. Unfortunately, statistics show that the number of older Americans physically, mentally and financially exploited is rising.
According to a study released by the American Journal of Public Health in 2010, there are approximately five million elder abuse victims in the United States. Statistics also indicate that most reported cases involve family members or people closely related to the victims. Many elder abuse victims suffer from decreased cognitive capacity, such as dementia, and are not able to protect themselves. Adult protective services operate under state law to investigate reports of elder abuse and to work with the victims to protect them and stop the maltreatment.
It is important that adult protective services agencies in every community have a close working relationship with Social Security to:
- Remove abusive representative payees;
- Prevent unsuitable representative payees from being put in place or being re-instated; and
- Appoint appropriate representative payees who will protect the victim’s benefits.
Social Security is with you through life’s journey, and we take this commitment seriously. Under Acting Commissioner Colvin and Social Security Chief of Staff Stacy Rodgers, Social Security has made great strides in a short time to protect beneficiaries from financial exploitation and to coordinate with adult protective services agencies on behalf of our mutual clients. You can help by visiting the Administration for Community Living at acl.gov/newsroom/observances/WEAAD and www.ncea.aoa.gov for more information on how you can be involved.
You and your clients can also learn more about World Elder Abuse Day at www.un.org/en/events/elderabuse.
Discover the Courageous Faces of Disability
The nation celebrated Cancer Survivor’s Awareness Day in June. Social Security is no stranger to helping people with chronic illnesses maintain a higher quality of life through disability benefits. And we frequently feature these courageous people on our
Faces and Facts of Disability website.
The newest person we are featuring is Lynne Parks. She is an artist from Baltimore, Maryland. First diagnosed with metastatic fibrosarcoma at age 14, she has lived with this illness for nearly 35 years. Inflammatory responses, infections, and new tumors are complications that Lynne deals with every day.
The disability benefits Lynne receives are a crucial resource for her quality of life. Our disability programs continue to be a mainstay in the lives of many individuals — people just like you. Social Security disability beneficiaries are among the most severely impaired people in the country. It’s something that can happen to anyone when least expected.
Life’s journey may take you or someone you love through a similar path of courageousness. We invite you to learn the facts about the disability insurance program, and see and hear these stories of hardship and perseverance at www.socialsecurity.gov/disabilityfacts.
Social Security at the Annual Conference & Exposition for the Society for Human Resource Management
This month, Social Security participated in the 2016 Annual Conference & Exposition for the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) to show how we are helping to secure today and tomorrow. The SHRM Annual Conference & Exposition is the largest and best HR event in the world, providing organizations with the tools and resources they need to create and implement successful HR practices that help companies thrive.
Social Security is constantly working to improve our superior customer service, and to develop our diverse workforce. You and your clients can read more about the SHRM at annual.shrm.org. You may also visit one of the best resources for doing business with Social Security at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. We are constantly adding new features that let you take control of your retirement future.
In addition to using your personal
my
Social Security account, you can prepare for a secure, comfortable retirement by visiting www.myra.gov. There, you’ll find
myRA, a new retirement savings option from the Department of the Treasury for the millions of people who face barriers to saving for retirement.
myRA is a simple, secure, and affordable way to help you take control of your future.
May 2016
Social Security Announces Top Baby Names of 2015
This month, we announced the top baby names for 2015. Published each year for nearly 20 years, the annual list provides insight into current naming trends. Once again, Emma and Noah were the most popular names. Here are the top 10 names for each gender:
| Boys |
Girls |
| 1. Noah |
1. Emma |
| 2. Liam |
2. Olivia |
| 3. Mason |
3. Sophia |
| 4. Jacob |
4. Ava |
| 5. William |
5. Isabella |
| 6. Ethan |
6. Mia |
| 7. James |
7. Abigail |
| 8. Alexander |
8. Emily |
| 9. Michael |
9. Charlotte |
| 10. Benjamin |
10. Harper |
Naming trends often follow pop culture, with many parents seeking inspiration from books, movies, and religious texts. The two names with the biggest jump in popularity this year were Alaia and Riaan. Alaia moved to number 664 and Riaan, which is of Indian origin, cracked the top 1,000 at 926.
For more information regarding the trends in baby names, including popular names by state and records going back to the 1880s, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/babynames.
Social Security Honors Public Servants
Public Service Recognition Week, May 1 through 7, recognized all individuals who serve the public on a federal, state, county, or local level. The theme for this year was “Honoring Our Public Servants.”
Those who answer the call to service are hardworking, caring, compassionate, and committed to the missions of their agencies.
At Social Security, we have more than 60,000 employees who serve the public each day in a variety of capacities. They are part of our field and hearing offices, teleservice and payment centers, as well as our headquarters and regional offices. These devoted public servants are committed to ensuring timely processing of claims, requests for assistance, and providing the quality customer service Americans deserve and have come to expect from us.
For Acting Commissioner Carolyn W. Colvin’s online tribute to America’s public servants, visit blog.socialsecurity.gov/recognizing-those-who-make-it-all-possible.
Social Security Hosts Second Annual Faith Week of Action
We celebrated our second annual Faith Week of Action from May 1 through 8 by partnering with faith- and community-based groups across the country to help their members understand our Social Security programs and to encourage financial planning. The campaign featured a Faith Week of Action Toolkit that national stakeholders could use to plan a
my
Social Security
event. The toolkit included sample press releases and social media posts, as well as ways to connect to Social Security and join in our faith-based national outreach. Please continue to encourage your clients to create their own secure
my
Social Security
account at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.
The campaign reached more than 23 million people across the internet and included a radio media tour, social media posts, and executive speaking engagements, including a radio interview with Acting Commissioner Carolyn W. Colvin highlighting the importance of financial literacy. For more information about our partnership with faith- and community-based organizations, go to www.socialsecurity.gov/thirdparty/faithaction.
Don’t Be a Scam Victim — You’re in Control
With tax season wrapping up, scammers are out in full force. Perhaps you received a phone call demanding payment from the “IRS.” Scammers might threaten you with legal action if you do not pay immediately. They may even say something like, “I’m sending the police to arrest you.” While these calls may seem scary, it is important to understand that they are not legitimate. This IRS scam, which started in October 2013, has taken more than $29 million from its victims. Unfortunately, this is just one of many scams designed to make you believe you are speaking with a government official.
Scammers use many tactics to convince victims to share their personal information via telephone and email. In Social Security related scams, fraudsters often call under the guise of helping you complete a disability application, asking you for your Social Security number or banking information. A legitimate inquiry from any government entity will be in writing. If you receive a call from a government employee, they will be able to provide you with a callback number and an extension to reach them.
Get more information on how to protect yourself from these scams at www.ftc.gov, or at www.irs.gov/uac/Report-Phishing for information on the IRS specific scam.
Social Security’s FY 2016 Budget
The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016 provides Social Security with $12 billion in administrative funding, including $1.4 billion for dedicated program integrity funding. We plan to complete 850,000 medical continuing disability reviews and 2.5 million Supplemental Security Income (SSI) non-medical redeterminations. This is a significant increase from the previous fiscal year.
Additionally, we will pursue our Compassionate and Responsive Service (CARES) strategy to address the hearings backlog. This includes hiring additional administrative law judges and support staff. This appropriation also provides $150 million for the renovation of the Headquarters Altmeyer Building in Woodlawn, Maryland, which is 55 years old.
We’re proud of our low 1.3 percent administrative costs. For a complete view of Social Security’s budget information, you can visit www.socialsecurity.gov/budget.
Social Security Celebrates AAPI Heritage Month
May was Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. This year’s theme is “Walk Together, Embrace Differences, Build Legacies.” At Social Security, we shared information about our commitment to removing communication barriers.
We offer free interpreter services in person and by phone, as well as publications in Chinese, Korean, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. The AAPI community makes up approximately 5.4 percent of the total United States population and includes individuals from nearly 50 countries and ethnic groups. To learn more about Social Security’s commitment to serving the AAPI population, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/people/aapi.
For more information about our free interpreter services and our non-English publications available in 17 languages, visit our Multilanguage Gateway at www.socialsecurity.gov/multilanguage.
Social Security Featured on Federal News Radio
April was Social Security Month at Federal News Radio. The station interviewed Acting Commissioner Carolyn W. Colvin as well as several other Social Security executives. They discussed a variety of topics related to current agency news and trends for the future of Social Security. Acting Commissioner Colvin spoke about our efforts to hire more administrative law judges to reduce wait times and the number of claims waiting for a hearing. She also discussed the future of Social Security’s field offices and providing our customers with more choices for conducting business with us.
Federal News Radio also interviewed Doug Walker, the Deputy Commissioner of Communications. He spoke at length about the many ways the public can connect with us, including our blog and social media channels. Deputy Commissioner of Human Resources, Dr. Reginald Wells, talked about the challenges of attrition as Social Security employees with long-term institutional knowledge begin to retire. He also spoke about diversity in the workforce and advances in telework. Additionally, Robert Klopp, Chief Information Officer and Deputy Commissioner of Systems, discussed data storage and our ability to use our data to make informed decisions to better serve the public.
You can hear these interviews at www.ssa.gov/news/#/post/4-2016-2.
April 2016
National
my
Social Security Week was a Success
During April 4 to 13, we celebrated a third successful National
my
Social Security Week. With the help of a myriad of groups and organizations, we hosted events and activities across the country to raise awareness about the benefits of opening a secure online
my
Social Security account.
With a
my
Social Security account, you can:
- Keep track of your earnings and verify them every year;
- Get an estimate of your future benefits, if you are still working;
- Get a letter with proof of your benefits, if you currently receive them; and
- Manage your benefits:
- Change your address;
- Start or change your direct deposit;
- Get a replacement Medicare card; and
- Get a replacement SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S for tax season.
- As part of
my
Social Security Week, on April 7 we held “Check Your
Statement Day,” encouraging people to join the millions who regularly check their
Social Security Statement. Your
Statement can help you plan for your financial future. We encourage you to access your
Statement whenever you have a change in employment or wish to verify any changes in your benefit estimate.
In some states, you can also request a replacement Social Security card online using
my
Social Security. Currently, this service is available in the District of Columbia, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Nebraska, New Mexico, Washington, and Wisconsin. It’s an easy, convenient, and secure way to request a replacement card online. To request a replacement card online, you must:
- Have or create a
my
Social Security account;
- Have a valid driver’s license in a participating state or the District of Columbia (or a state-issued identification card in some states);
- Be age 18 or older and a United States citizen with a domestic U.S. mailing address (this includes APO, FPO, and DPO addresses); and
- Not request a name change or any other changes to your card.
We will provide updates when the service becomes available in additional states.
Open a
my
Social Security account today at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.
Social Security is Hiring More Administrative Law Judges
The public deserves timely, high-quality hearing and appeal decisions. Currently, the wait for a hearing decision on disability benefits is too long. Reducing the wait time for a hearing decision is one of our agency critical priorities.
To address that goal, we developed our CARES Plan, a Plan for Compassionate And Responsive Service. One of the key elements of CARES is to address the need to hire and retain administrative law judges. Administrative law judges (ALJs) are our primary decision makers in the hearing process, and hiring has not kept pace with the growing number of pending cases and ALJ attrition. Our goal is to reduce the wait time for a hearing decision to 270 days by fiscal year 2020.
Good news! This fiscal year, Congress gave us the necessary resources to accomplish our hiring goal, and we’re in the process of hiring up to 250 new ALJs. Social Security is by far the largest employer of ALJs — they're needed in many states, including rural locations. The highly competitive ALJ hiring process takes a good deal of time, but it’s worth the wait. You and your clients can learn more about ALJs and the hearing process at www.socialsecurity.gov/appeals/hearing_process.html.
Providing Testimony at the Windfall Elimination Provision Hearing
On March 22, Samara Richardson, Acting Associate Commissioner, Office of Income Security Programs, testified at the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) Hearing before the House of Representatives. She summarized the history of Social Security coverage, described both the WEP and the Government Pension Offset (GPO), provided an overview of the issues with WEP and GPO, and described how we administer them. She also discussed our legislative proposal, which would simplify and improve administration of the WEP and GPO.
Ms. Richardson stated, “Congress created the WEP and GPO provisions so that Social Security benefits would remain progressive and fairly reflect an individual’s covered and non-covered earnings. However, in the absence of non-covered earnings data on which to calculate an appropriate benefit reduction, Congress based its reductions on the receipt of a non-covered pension. This approach was the most manageable solution, given the limited earnings information available for use in the late 1970s and early 1980s.”
She added, “We will soon have more than 40 years of non-covered earnings data in our records. These data will give us the capability to transition toward an alternative WEP and GPO formula based on these earnings. The Administration recommends such an approach, as it would simplify administration, reduce improper payments, and provide all workers with more equitable treatment. In the interim, the President’s Budget proposes requiring state and local government pension payers to provide us with non-covered pension data, thereby enabling us to apply current-law WEP and GPO more consistently and correctly.”
You and your clients can watch or read the testimony at http://waysandmeans.house.gov/event/chairman-johnson-announces-hearing-on-social-security-and-public-servants-ensuring-equal-treatment.
You can also learn more about Government Pension Offset by searching that term at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs.
Two Important Events during National Financial Literacy Month
April is National Financial Literacy Month. Americans are encouraged to focus on financial literacy, and to establish and practice smart financial habits. On April 5, there were two important events that addressed responsible saving: Financial Literacy Day on Capitol Hill and an event Social Security co-hosted with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce called “Promoting Retirement Security Makes Good Business Sense.”
Financial Literacy Day on the Hill was introduced in 2003 by the Council for Economic Education, Junior Achievement, and the Jump$tart Coalition. Over the years, “Hill Day” has evolved from a small gathering to a public event that attracts hundreds of participants. You and your clients can learn more about saving for your future and download the Financial Literacy Month app at www.jumpstart.org/hill-day.html.
The purpose of the Promoting Retirement Security Makes Good Business Sense event was to advance the business community’s interest in Social Security. It further promoted the partnership between Social Security and the business community to support a secure retirement for workers. Acting Commissioner Carolyn W. Colvin keynoted at the Chamber of Commerce event. For more information, visit www.uschamber.com/event/promoting-retirement-security-makes-good-business-sense.
When it comes to finances, Social Security is there through life’s journey, helping secure today and tomorrow. Find out more at www.socialsecurity.gov.
Social Security to Co-host the Ending Homelessness Forum
Social Security and the U. S. Interagency Council on Homelessness will host a forum about ending homelessness on April 28, 2016, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Hampton University Student Center in Hampton, VA.
We welcome your participation in this important conversation about how to better serve people experiencing homelessness. Representatives from federal agencies, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and partner organizations will be on hand to share successful strategies in the fight against homelessness. The forum will also focus on the best practices that the Commonwealth of Virginia has implemented to end veterans homelessness and significantly reduce family homelessness.
Planned speakers include:
- Carolyn W. Colvin, Acting Commissioner of Social Security
- Paul Reagan, Chief of Staff to Virginia Governor Terence R. McAuliffe
- Matt Leslie, Director of Housing Development, Virginia Department of Veterans Services
- Luis Vasquez, Director, Division of Service and Systems Improvement, Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
- Marcy Thompson, Senior Advisor, Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Special Needs, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
- Sim Wimbush, Executive Director, Virginia Housing Alliance
Learn more about how Social Security helps the homeless at www.socialsecurity.gov/homelessness.
DoD Medical Data Available Almost Instantaneously
Social Security is always finding new ways to provide superior customer service. We can now receive service members’, Veterans’, and eligible family members’ medical records electronically from the Department of Defense (DoD) by using health information technology (health IT) that leverages the eHealth Exchange. This latest improvement speeds processing times of disability applications. Our disability case processing sites can receive medical records from DoD almost instantaneously.
We have added the DoD to the more than 50 other health IT partners in over 7,000 facilities that provide us with electronic health record (EHR) data. More and more facilities across the nation are implementing EHR systems.
Obtaining medical evidence is critical to the disability determination process. Social Security requests more than 15 million medical records from almost 500,000 providers to make decisions on approximately three million disability claims annually. As EHR systems mature, and health IT exchanges grow between organizations across the country, we are able to help more people through the disability determination process while also improving services to the non-military public. Health IT partnership benefits include:
- a more efficient means of obtaining medical records;
- improvement in the rate of responses received;
- consistently formatted records;
- reducing paper-based processes; and
- reducing the total time it takes to process disability claims.
Our goal is to continue expanding the number of healthcare organizations and federal agencies providing EHRs to us in an efficient and secure electronic environment.
You can learn more about our health IT initiative at www.socialsecurity.gov/hit.
Keep the Faith, Spread the Message
Social Security
Faith Week of Action takes place May 1- 8 this year with the theme of “Shining a Light on Your Lifetime Protections.” Throughout this week, Faith-Based national organizations and Faith-Based community groups across the country will host events to help people understand their Social Security protections.
Social Security touches nearly every person at some point in their life. It helps children when a parent dies, retires, or becomes disabled. It protects workers and their families in the event of a disability. For millions of seniors, it helps put food on the table or pay for other necessities. And it continues providing for our families even after we’re gone.
To enjoy a comfortable retirement, most people need to save and invest throughout their working lives. To do that, they need a plan. A great way to get started is by creating a
my
Social Security online account at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. It’s free, fast, and secure!
Workers can use
my
Social Security to get estimates of their future benefits. They can also check to be sure the earnings information we have for them is accurate. This is important because we base our benefit calculations on earnings.
We also want to highlight the new
myRA investment option at
myRA.gov. This is a safe way for earners without a retirement plan at work to get started on growing their nest egg. There’s no cost or fees, no complicated investment choices, and no risk. Since it’s not tied to an employer, workers can hold on to their
myRA account when they move from one job to another.
Look for a Social Security
Faith Week of Action event in your area. And create your own
my
Social Security account anytime at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.
Deputy Commissioner Nominee Clears Finance Committee
We are pleased to announce that the Senate Finance Committee favorably reported the nomination of LaMont Eanes to become Deputy Commissioner of Social Security to the full U.S. Senate. His term would last through January 19, 2019.
At his February confirmation hearing, Eanes said, “If Social Security is to meet service expectations for generations to come, the Agency will have to be inventive, bold, and thoughtful in new ways. I truly hope to be able to contribute to SSA — by building upon its successes of the past with innovative strategies of the future. This is the lesson I took from my private sector experience, and what will guide my work at SSA: no matter how good we are today, we can be better tomorrow.”
You can read the entire testimony to the Senate Finance Committee at
www.socialsecurity.gov/legislation/testimony_020416.html
March 2016
Celebrate National
my
Social Security Week | April 4 - 13, 2016
National
my
Social Security week will be celebrated from April 4 -13. With the help of many groups and organizations, we will host numerous events and activities across the country to raise awareness about the benefits of opening a secure online
my
Social Security account.
With a
my
Social Security account, you can:
- Keep track of your earnings and verify them every year;
- Get an estimate of your future benefits, if you are still working;
- Get a letter with proof of your benefits, if you currently receive them; and
- Manage your benefits:
- Change your address;
- Start or change your direct deposit;
- Request a replacement Medicare card; and
- Get a replacement SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S for tax season.
In some states, you can also request a replacement Social Security card online using
my
Social Security. Currently this service is available in the District of Columbia, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Nebraska, New Mexico, Washington, and Wisconsin - with more states coming online soon. It's an easy, convenient, and secure way to request a replacement card online. To request a replacement card online, you must:
- Have or create a
my
Social Security account;
- Have a valid driver's license in a participating state or the District of Columbia (or a state-issued identification card in some states);
- Be age 18 or older and a United States citizen with a domestic U.S. mailing address (this includes APO, FPO, and DPO addresses); and
- Not be requesting a name change or any other changes to your card.
We will provide updates when the service becomes available in additional states.
During
my
Social Security Week, we will hold"Check Your
Statement Day" on April 7 and you can join the millions who regularly check their
Social Security Statement. Support our Thunderclap campaign and help us rally the public together to spread the message about the importance of checking your
Statement every year because we base your future benefits on your recorded earnings. Your
Statement can help you plan for your financial future. We encourage you to go online to
my
Social Security to access your
Statement whenever you have a change of employment or wish to see an updated benefit estimate.
For more than 80 years, Social Security has helped secure today and tomorrow with information, tools, and resources to meet your changing needs and lifestyles. Open a
my
Social Security account today at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.
People in Three More States can Apply for a Social Security Card Online
The list of states where
my
Social Security account holders can apply for a replacement Social Security card is growing. We just added Iowa, Kentucky, and New Mexico to the list that includes the District of Columbia, Michigan, Nebraska, Washington, and Wisconsin. It's an easy, convenient, and secure way to request a replacement card online.
All you have to do is access or create your personal
my
Social Security account at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. There, you can also:
- Keep track of your earnings and verify them every year;
- Get an estimate of your future benefits if you are still working;
- Get a letter with proof of your benefits if you currently receive them; and
- Manage your benefits:
- Change your address;
- Start or change your direct deposit;
- Request a replacement Medicare card; and
- Get a replacement SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S for tax season.
In the months to come we will add more to the list of states that are eligible for online Social Security card applications. Check back at
my
Social Security
often to see what updates we have made to make your business with Social Security quicker and more convenient.
Social Security to Host National Disability Forum Event
On Wednesday, March 30, we will host a National Disability Forum:
Developing and Assessing Medical Evidence for Extreme Limitations in the Ability to Focus on Tasks. It will explore ways to better develop and assess evidence supporting impairment-related extreme limitations in attention, concentration, and persistence that result in the inability to focus on work-related tasks. For example, such limitations may cause a person to be"off task," preventing them from working.
We will discuss vital issues that include:
- At what level do impairment-related limitations in attention, concentration, and persistence cause off-task behavior to the extent a person could not do any job in the national economy? What is the research base?
- Are there standard measures, tests, or questionnaires to determine an individual's ability to maintain attention, concentration, and persistence?
- Who is best positioned to provide information about a person's job-related attention, concentration, and persistence?
- Does research exist that addresses employer tolerances for employees being"off task?"
- Do employers typically make reasonable accommodations in relation to off task behavior? If so, what accommodations?
These findings will help us better serve people who are disabled, and aid us to provide disability benefits in the most meaningful way possible. We're constantly refining the way we provide superior service to our millions of customers.
We encourage you to join us at the forum and share your insights about how our disability determination process can better serve individuals with extreme limitations in attention, concentration, and persistence. Your involvement is critical in helping us continually improve our programs.
For more information about the National Disability Forum series, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/ndf.
Social Security Joins the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to Help Plan for Retirement
On April 5, in collaboration with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, we will participate in a joint event to advance the business community’s interest in Social Security. It also will promote a partnership with the business community to help their employees plan for a secure retirement. The event will be held at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington D.C.
Topics that will be discussed include:
- Importance of helping employees save for retirement;
- Employer tools to help employees save for retirement;
-
myRA and promoting
my
Social Security accounts to plan for the future;
- National
my
Social Security week - April 4 - 13, 2016
Acting Commissioner Carolyn W. Colvin will participate as well as executive staff of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The event will start at 9 am at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 1615 H Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20062, in the Lee Anderson Room. You and your clients can learn more about your many options for saving for retirement at www.socialsecurity.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/ and myra.gov.
Women's History and Social Security
We celebrated Women’s History Month this month — a time to focus not just on the past, but on the challenges women continue to face in the 21st century. Though there are countless women who have made this country great, we would like to honor some of the notable women who have revolutionized America, including:
- Susan B. Anthony, a key figure in the women's suffrage movement;
- Sojourner Truth, an African American abolitionist and women's rights activist;
- Elizabeth Cady Stanton, an American suffragist, social activist, and leading figure of the early women's rights movement;
- Harriet Tubman, an African American abolitionist, and humanitarian, became a famous"conductor" on the Underground Railroad: and
- Frances Perkins, the U.S. Secretary of Labor from 1933 to 1945, who was the first woman appointed to the U.S. Cabinet.
More contemporary trailblazers include:
- Jeannette Rankin, the first woman member of Congress - elected to the House of Representatives from the state of Montana;
- Nancy Pelosi, the first female Speaker of the House of Representatives; and
- Representative Barbara Mikulski, who co-sponsored the first Joint Congressional Resolution proclaiming Women's History Week and who is the longest-serving woman in the history of the United States Congress.
Social Security continues to play an important role in the lives of women. With longer life expectancies than men, women tend to live more years in retirement and have a greater chance of exhausting other sources of income.
If you'd like information about the role of Social Security in women's lives today, Social Security has a booklet that you may find useful. It's called
Social Security: What Every Woman Should Know. You can find it online at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/EN-05-10127.pdf.
Protect Yourself from Fraud and Scams
Looking to protect yourself from fraud, identity theft, and scams? Maybe you're wondering about the best way to use credit, how to shop for a used car, or maximize your security online.
Part of our commitment to bringing you superior service includes always looking for ways to help protect your identity and information. And not just during National Consumer Protection Week - which was March 6-12, 2016 - but all year round. National Consumer Protection Week is a coordinated campaign that encourages you to take full advantage of your consumer rights and to make informed decisions.
One of Social Security's highest priorities is to protect the privacy and security of the personal information we maintain on you and other Americans. You can rest assured that doing business with us online is both safe and secure.
The agency's benefit programs are far-reaching and complex, which means that preventing, detecting, and combatting fraud, waste, and abuse are ongoing challenges. We can't prevent every instance of fraud any more than law enforcement can prevent all crimes. However, we aggressively investigate potential instances of fraud and pursue prosecution of those who commit it. This is where we need your help the most. If you suspect fraud, report it online at oig.ssa.gov/report, or call the fraud hotline at 1-800-269-0271.
On our website, we provide you valuable information about safeguarding against fraud, phishing scams, and protecting your identity. Visit today for more information. Also, visit www.ncpw.gov to learn how to get free consumer education materials and read the latest from consumer protection experts.
February 2016
Acting Commissioner Keynotes at the National Academy of Social Insurance Annual Conference
The National Academy of Social Insurance held its annual conference on January 28 at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. This year, the theme of the event was “Disparate Income, Wealth, and Opportunity: Implications for Social Insurance.” Acting Commissioner Carolyn W. Colvin provided details about the crucial role we play in providing a financial safety net for millions of Americans.
“Today, Social Security’s insurance protection has become the foundation of retirement security for almost all American workers and families. The average retirement benefit is modest, about $1,340 a month, yet benefits are the main income for most seniors. For two in three seniors who receive Social Security, it is more than half of their total income.”
The Acting Commissioner continued by stating, “Social Security is particularly important to seniors in communities of color. In African American and Latino communities, nearly three in four seniors who receive Social Security get most of their income from it.”
It’s clear that Social Security plays a vital role in the quality of people’s lives. Over the decades, public opinion polls have consistently shown that large majorities of Americans strongly support Social Security. Year after year, respondents consider Social Security crucial for their economic stability. You and your clients can learn more about our lasting commitment to providing fair and equal retirement income to American workers at www.socialsecurity.gov.
Social Security Works with Small Businesses
One of Social Security’s priorities is to reach out to small and disadvantaged businesses about contracting opportunities. This applies to both prime contractors and subcontractors.
Acting Commissioner Carolyn W. Colvin said, “Social Security recognizes that small businesses, including service disabled, veteran-owned, historically underutilized business zone, small disadvantaged, and women-owned, are a vital part of our economy. We embrace a culture of shared responsibility in seeking qualified small businesses to support the mission of the agency.”
You and your clients can find information about contracting opportunities and our ongoing commitment to small and disadvantaged businesses by going to our webpage dedicated to Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization at www.socialsecurity.gov/agency/osdbu.
Empower Yourself During America Saves Week
Saving for retirement should be on everyone’s mind, regardless of their financial situation. According to financial experts, you’ll need at least 70 percent of your pre-retirement income to enjoy a comfortable retirement. For the average American worker, Social Security will replace only about 40 percent of pre-retirement earnings. Unless you have an additional pension, you’ll need to save more to close that shortfall.
Started in 2007, America Saves Week is an annual opportunity for organizations to promote good savings behavior. It also serves as a reminder for individuals to assess their own saving practices. Typically, thousands of organizations participate in America Saves Week, reaching millions of people.
“Social Security is an important part of a sound financial plan. But, it can’t be the only part. To enjoy a comfortable retirement, people need to save and invest throughout their working lives. The Department of Treasury’s new
myRA savings account is an excellent place to start. Social Security also offers valuable tools to assistant with planning for a comfortable future. I always encourage workers to view their personalized Social Security Statement frequently for estimates of their future Social Security benefits,” says Acting Commissioner Carolyn W. Colvin. “It’s easy to do by creating a
my
Social Security at www.socialsecurity.gov. This service is free, fast, and secure. What better time than America Saves Week to get serious about planning for the future. To start saving today for a secure future, open a
myRA account. For more information visit www.myRA.gov.”
You and your clients can also encourage others to take the America Saves Pledge, where they can make a commitment to themselves to save for an identified goal. You can learn more about saving for your future at www.americasavesweek.org.
Fiscal Year 2017 Budget and Social Security
Under the President’s Fiscal Year 2017 budget, Social Security will continue its key programs including the Social Security Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance Program (OASDI) and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program.
To support this mission, the President’s budget provides $13.230 billion in discretionary funding for the agency. This funding will allow us to balance our important service and stewardship work, and to develop and pilot innovative new strategies to help people with disabilities remain in the workforce. Funding highlights include:
- Improving and modernizing customer service by providing the resources needed to reduce the national 800 number wait times, maintain field office service quality, and provide more online services.
- Investing in cost-effective program integrity efforts, such as continuing the path to eliminating pending Continuing Disability Reviews (CDR) by the end of 2019.
- Executing a plan for Compassionate and Responsive Service (CARES) to tackle pending hearings and begin to bring down hearings wait times.
Social Security continues to improve customer service and expand customer choice with the addition of new services to the
my
Social Security portal, including online Social Security number replacement cards. The customer experience can be tailored to the person, whether a customer prefers to visit an office, call us by phone, or visit us online.
Learn more about the budget and related information at www.socialsecurity.gov/budget.
Same-Sex Married Couples and SSI
Last year, the Supreme Court issued a decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, holding that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry in all states. As a result, we’re recognizing more same-sex couples as married for purposes of determining entitlement to Social Security benefits or eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. This month, we issued clarifications and instructions for processing claims, appeals, post-eligibility, and post-entitlement actions involving a determination of marital status.
“As with previous same-sex marriage policies, we worked closely with the Department of Justice,” said Acting Commissioner Carolyn W. Colvin. “With the release of these instructions, we continue our commitment to treating all Americans fairly, with dignity and respect.”
We encourage anyone who believes they may be eligible for benefits to apply now. Learn more at www.socialsecurity.gov/same-sexcouples.
New Rules for Claiming Strategies
We have published additional information regarding changes to deemed filing and to file and suspend claiming strategies resulting from the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015.
First, individuals who are eligible for both retirement and spouse benefits (including divorced spouse benefits) must claim the two benefits simultaneously.
Second, if you submit a request to suspend your benefits to earn delayed retirement credits on or after April 30, 2016, you won’t be able to receive auxiliary benefits on someone else’s Social Security record. In addition, if you suspend your benefit, anyone receiving benefits on your record — excluding divorced spouses — will also be suspended for the same months your benefit is suspended.
Please visit our
Retirement Planner at www.socialsecurity.gov/retire to view frequently asked questions and an information guide on these topics.
January 2016
Important Reminder—ACA Enrollment Ends January 31
Everyone procrastinates sometimes, but now’s not the time if you need health care coverage. The Affordable Care Act’s open enrollment period ends on Sunday, January 31. Did you know that 8 out of 10 people who sign up for coverage at HealthCare.gov qualify for financial help to lower the cost of their monthly insurance premiums? And after that financial assistance, 7 out of 10 people can find plans with premiums for less than $75 dollars per month.
Reducing the Wait Time for a Hearing - CARES
The plan for Compassionate and Responsive Service (CARES) is Social Security’s new strategy for reducing the wait time for a hearing. Social Security is currently facing an unprecedented public service crisis with over one million people waiting for a hearing decision. While we have many responsibilities, none is more important than helping these people.
The CARES plan is a comprehensive, multi-faceted plan to address the increase in wait times and pending hearings. The plan has both immediate, tactical initiatives, as well as long-term initiatives that will ensure an efficient, effective, and sustainable hearings process.
The CARES plan builds on two essential components: people and quality — engaged, well-trained people providing quality service. We have also identified several broad categories of drivers that will help our employees provide quality service to the people who need us most. These initiatives are designed to help increase hearings adjudication and disposition capacity, improve ALJ support and staff efficiency, and strengthen personnel oversight and policy compliance without sacrificing our commitment to quality. Technology investments also will provide faster, streamlined, and more efficient tools for our employees, external stakeholders, and the public.
The best way to appeal a disability decision is online at www.socialsecurity.gov/appeals/index.html.
Replacing Your Social Security Card Online
We strive to provide you world-class service. With that in mind, we rolled out a new service that allows some of our customers to request a replacement Social Security card online.
The new online version of the
Application for a Replacement Social Security Card allows people in some states to request a replacement card through our secure
my
Social Security
portal without traveling to a field office. You can create or log into your personal
my
Social Security
account at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.
Currently available in the
District of Columbia, Michigan, Nebraska, Washington, and Wisconsin, it’s an easy, convenient, and secure way to request a replacement card online.
When you open a
my
Social Security
account, we protect your information by using strict identity verification and security features. The application process has built-in features to detect fraud and confirm your identity. In certain cases, security experts at Social Security will contact you to ensure it is a legitimate application. We only issue a replacement card if there’s no suspicion of fraud and then we only mail it to a verified address.
To take advantage of this new service option, you must:
- Have or create a
my
Social Security
account;
- Have a valid driver’s license in a participating state or the District of Columbia. (or a state-issued identification card in some states);
- Be age 18 or older and a United States citizen with a domestic U.S. mailing address (this includes APO, FPO, and DPO addresses); and
- Not be requesting a name change or any other changes to your card.
We will provide updates when the service becomes available in additional states.
Before you request a replacement card online, you may want to consider whether you need a card at all. Most times, knowing your number is what’s important. You’ll rarely need the card itself, perhaps only when you get a new job and have to show it to your employer.
For more information, please visit www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber.
Make 2016 about Savings with
myRA
Many Americans are far behind on saving for their retirement. The sooner you start saving, the more of a nest egg you will have. This year, get on the path to a secure retirement. To help promote retirement savings, the U.S. Department of the Treasury introduced
myRA, a retirement savings account for people looking for a simple, safe, and affordable way to save for their retirement.
myRA offers a favorable choice for those who want to save for retirement. Let your clients know that with
myRA:
- There’s no cost and no fees to open and maintain an account;
- The investment will not lose money;
- U.S. Treasury backs the investment;
- They choose how much to save ($2, $20, $200 — whatever fits their budget);
- If they change jobs, the account stays with them; and
- They can withdraw the money they put in without tax or penalty.
Automated features make it easier to save. There are several ways you or your clients can contribute to a
myRA account:
- From a paycheck. Set up automatic direct deposits with their employer(s) to their
myRA.
- From a checking or savings account. Set up recurring or one-time contributions from their checking or savings accounts to their
myRA.
- From a federal tax refund. At tax time, they can direct all or part of their federal tax return to their
myRA.
Saving for retirement is vital to an enjoyable retirement. We encourage you and your clients to learn more about the power of secure savings with
myRA at www.myra.gov.
Business Services Online Supports You in the New Year and Beyond
In the New Year, organizations and small businesses will find it more convenient and more secure than ever to conduct business with us. Our Business Services Online (BSO) suite of services offers you the tools you need to perform several tasks from the comfort of your home or office.
After you or your clients register with BSO, you can access our online business services and functions. For example, you can complete, update, and submit your business taxpayer information forms and print W-2 forms for your employees. BSO lets people file wage reports and view error notices for any wage files or wage reports submitted by you or your company. You and your clients can also verify your employees’ names and Social Security numbers.
BSO is especially valuable for small businesses. You can learn more about our online business services by visiting
www.socialsecurity.gov/bso.
Tax Credit Helps Low-Income Families
The Earned Income Tax Credit is a federal tax credit specifically for low-income working families. Many families who receive this credit use it to pay living expenses and to save for future needs. Unfortunately, at least 20 percent of eligible taxpayers did not file for their Earned Income Tax Credit last year.
January 29 is Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day. Please help spread the word so that qualifying taxpayers are aware of it. Learn more at www.eitc.irs.gov.
