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Social Security Column
You’ll Feel Like You’re on Vacation with How Easy This Is
By Erin Thompson, Social
Security Public Affairs Specialist in Toledo, OH
Guest Column
August might be the last of the months that people think of
when we say “summer vacation,” but it’s by no means the
least. People are still taking trips and hosting family
while enjoying America’s beaches and national parks. Social
Security might not be on the top of your to-do list when
you’re on vacation, but we’ve made it so easy to do business
with us online that you can connect with us pool-side or on
the go. We are constantly expanding our online services to
give you freedom and control in how you wish to conduct
business with us. Our online services help you plan for the
future and keep you in control of your benefits. You can go
online to:
o
Find out if you qualify for benefits;
o
Use our benefit planners to
help you better understand your Social Security protection;
o
Estimate your future retirement benefits to help you plan for your
financial future;
o
Apply for retirement or Medicare quickly and easily; and
o
Open your personal
my Social Security account. It is a powerful
tool to help you stay in control of your Social Security
record. If you don’t receive benefits yet, you can:
§
Get your Social
Security Statement
to review your earnings
and make sure they’re recorded correctly;
§
Get a
benefit verification letter to prove you don’t receive
Social Security benefits or that you applied but haven’t
received an answer yet;
§
Request a replacement Social Security card if you meet certain
requirements; and
§
Check the status of your application or appeal a decision.
If you receive benefits,
you can:
o
Change your address and phone number;
o
Get a
benefit verification letter to prove you receive Social
Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or
Medicare;
o
Change your direct deposit information at any time;
o
Request a replacement Medicare card; and
o
Get a replacement
Benefit Statement (SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S) for tax
purposes.
Kick your feet up and grab your laptop or even your
cellphone. You can access our online services page and do
much of your business with us when you’re on the go at
www.socialsecurity.gov/onlineservices. Remember, you can
easily share our webpages and resources by copying the link
and messaging a family member or friend. Now, go enjoy that
vacation or start planning your next one knowing that, at
Social Security, we’re securing your today and tomorrow.
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