|
Social Security-
Questions and Answers
By Erin Thompson, Public Affairs Specialist in Toledo, OH
Guest Column
Question:
How can I get a copy of my Social Security Statement?
Answer:
You can get your personal Social Security Statement
online by using your personal
my
Social Security
account.
If you don’t yet have an account, you can easily create one.
Your online Statement gives you secure and convenient
access to your earnings records. It also shows estimates for
retirement, disability, and survivors benefits you and your
family may be eligible for.
To set up or use your account to get your online Social
Security Statement, go to
www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.
We also mail Statements to workers age 60 and
over who aren’t receiving Social Security
benefits and do not yet have a
my Social Security
account. We mail the
Statements three months prior to your birthday.
Question:
I’m trying to figure out how much I need to save for my
retirement. Does the government offer any help with
financial education?
Answer:
Yes. For starters, you may want to find out what you can
expect from Social Security with a visit to Social
Security’s Retirement Estimator at
www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator.
The Financial Literacy and Education Commission has a
website that can help you with the basics of financial
education:
www.mymoney.gov.
Finally, you’ll want to check out the Consumer Financial
Protection Bureau, which offers educational information on a
number of financial matters, including mortgages, credit
cards, retirement, and other big decisions. Visit the
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at
www.consumerfinance.gov.
Question:
How do I change my citizenship status on Social Security’s
records?
Answer:
To change your citizenship status shown in Social Security
records:
-
Complete an application
for a Social Security card (Form SS-5), which
you can find online at
www.socialsecurity.gov/online/ss-5.html; and
-
Provide documents
proving your:
-
New or revised citizenship status (We can only
accept certain documents as proof of citizenship.
These include your U.S. passport, a Certificate of
Naturalization, or a Certificate of Citizenship. If
you are not a U.S. citizen, Social Security will ask
to see your current immigration documents);
-
Age; and
-
Identity.
-
Next, take (or mail)
your completed application and documents to
your local Social Security office.
All documents must be either originals or copies certified
by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or
notarized copies of documents.
For more information, visit
www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber.
Question:
I heard there is a Social Security video available in
American Sign Language (ASL). Where can I find it?
Answer:
Yes, it’s true. The video is called “Social Security, SSI
and Medicare: What You Need to Know About These Vital
Programs.” The video is available in ASL and it presents
important information about our programs. You can watch the
video now at
www.socialsecurity.gov/multimedia/video/asl.
The video is a part of our larger collection of on-demand
videos and webinars available at
www.socialsecurity.gov/webinars
and at www.YouTube.com.
Question:
I worked for the last 10 years and I now have my 40 credits.
Does this mean that I get the maximum Social Security
retirement benefit?
Answer:
Probably not. The 40 credits are the minimum number you need
to qualify for retirement benefits. However, we do not base
your benefit amount on those credits; it's based on your
earnings over a lifetime of work. To learn more about how
you earn Social Security credits and how they work, read or
listen to our publication How You Earn Credits,
available at
www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs.
|
