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Social Security Goes Green on Earth Day and Every Day
By Phil Walton
Social Security Manager in Toledo, Oh
Special to The Truth
For years, Social Security has been at the forefront of
offering convenient, easy-to-use, and secure online
services. We, along with those we serve, have saved a lot of
paper, shipping costs, and fuel—and cut back on a lot of
carbon exhaust and pollution—by going online instead of
doing things the old-fashioned, less efficient way. We are
committed to conserving energy, reducing waste and
protecting our environment.
Earth Day (April 22) is the perfect time to highlight ways
we serve the earth while serving you. We have buildings
across the nation that boast high-efficiency lighting, solar
hot water heating systems, high-performance windows, solar
lighting in parking lots, improved heating and air
conditioning systems, chilled water system improvements and
more. We’re most proud, though, of our online services,
which allow people to conserve their own fuel (and time) by
completing their business with us where they are instead of
where we are.
Our online services are popular because they’re convenient
easy to use and great for the environment. You can conduct
so much of your business with us from the convenience of
your home or office—no paper, printing, postage or petrol
needed. Here are a few of our most popular online services:
·
Connect with us by creating your own my Social Security
online account that allows you quick access to your personal
Social Security information. For example, during your
working years, you can use my Social Security to
obtain a copy of your Social Security Statement to
check your earnings record and see estimates of the future
retirement, disability, and survivor benefits you and your
family may receive. If you already receive Social Security
or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, you can use
my Social Security to view, save, and print a benefit
verification letter and check your benefit payment
information. Social Security beneficiaries also can change
their address and start or change direct deposit information
online.
·
Use our Retirement Estimator to get a quick and
accurate estimate of your future Social Security retirement
benefits.
www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator
·
Prepare for retirement by visiting our Benefits Planner
page. You can also use the disability and survivors planners
to find out how much you or your family might qualify for if
the need arises.
www.socialsecurity.gov/planners
·
Retire online! You can complete and submit your retirement
application online in as little as 15 minutes.
www.socialsecurity.gov/retireonline
·
Apply for disability benefits.
www.socialsecurity.gov/applyfordisability
·
Apply for Medicare benefits.
www.socialsecurity.gov/medicareonly
Whether you’re interested in planning your retirement or
applying for retirement or disability benefits, our online
“office” is the most convenient and “green” one to visit.
Our online services also top customer satisfaction lists.
For a complete list of our online services, visit
www.socialsecurity.gov/onlineservices.
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