For Your Benefit by indystar

FOR YOUR A custom advertising publication of The Indianapolis Star • Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014

BENEFIT A GUIDE TO SOCIAL SECURITY PROGRAMS

Someday is closer than you think By Marcia R. Mosley Regional Commissioner Social Security Administration

For many people, Someday is an elusive day on the far-off horizon — always close enough to see, but too distant to touch.

Well, get ready, because Someday has arrived. Open a my Social Security account at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount, and you’ll see what we mean. Millions of people have already opened an account, taking advantage of the benefits

Perhaps Someday you plan to go skydiving. Or enter a hot dog-eating contest. Maybe Someday you plan to ride a mechanical bull. Or travel around the world. Or visit all of America’s national parks. Someday, you may want to retire. If you are mid-career, Someday, you may need to start Mosley planning for retirement. Even if you are just now starting your career, Someday, you’re going to want to see what your future benefits will be and check your earnings for accuracy.

of my Social Security. Why are so many Americans opening accounts? Because my Social Security is fast, easy, and secure. It’s a convenient way to check your earnings record, get up-to-date, personalized estimates of retirement, disability, and survivors benefits, and access your Social Security Statement. With a my Social Security account, you can plan for your retirement and get help figuring out how to save for your future. If you already receive benefits, you can manage them online by starting or stopping your direct deposit, changing your address, and getting an instant proof-of-benefits letter. Someone opens a new account just about every six seconds. Considering there is only one skydive every 16 seconds, opening a my Social Security is even more popular! That elusive Someday that you thought might never come is here now. You’ll find it at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. !

Your spouse may be covered by Social Security By Charo Boyd SSA Public Affairs Specialist

If you have a spouse who does not earn an income or who earns less than you do, your spouse (including a same-sex spouse) may be entitled to Social Security spouses’ benefits based on your record. Social Security can be an important financial asset for married couples when the time comes to apply for retirement benefits. In many cases, one spouse may have earned significantly more than the other, or may have worked longer. Or it could be that one spouse stayed home to do the work of raising Boyd the children, caring for elderly family members, or managing the household while the other focused on a career. Whatever your situation, Social Security will look at all possibilities to make sure both spouses receive the maximum Social Security benefits possible, whether based on each spouse’s earnings record or the higher wage-earner’s record. Your spouse can apply for benefits the same way that you apply for benefits on your own record. He or she can apply for reduced benefits as early as age 62, or for 100 percent of the full retirement benefits at “full retirement age.” Not sure what the full retirement ages are? To learn your and your spouse’s full retirement ages, based on birth year, visit www.socialsecurity. gov/pubs/ageincrease.htm.

INSIDE

Benefit decisions for veterans

SHIP program helps Hoosiers

The benefit amount your spouse can receive at full retirement age can be as much as one half of your full benefit. If your spouse opts for early retirement, the benefit may be as little as a third of your full benefit amount. Note that benefits paid to your spouse do not decrease your benefit amount. If you have already reached full retirement age but continue to work, you can apply for retirement benefits and request to have the payments suspended until as late as age 70. This would let you earn delayed retirement credits that will mean higher payments later, but still would allow your spouse to receive a spouse’s benefit. People can also apply for spouse benefits based on the earnings record of an exspouse or deceased spouse if married for at least 10 years. Spouses can consider a number of options and variables. We make it easier to navigate them. A good place to start is by visiting our benefits planner at www.socialsecurity.gov/planners. Take note of the “Benefits As A Spouse” section. If you are ready to apply for benefits, the fastest, easiest, and most convenient way is to apply online! You can do so at www. socialsecurity.gov/applyonline and complete your application in as little as 15 minutes. Due to a Supreme Court decision, we now are able to pay benefits to some same-sex couples. We encourage people who think they may be eligible to apply now. Learn more at www. socialsecurity.gov/same-sexcouples. Whether you receive benefits on a spouse’s record or your own, rest assured we will make sure you get the highest benefit for which you qualify. Learn more at www.socialsecurity.gov. !

Let's talk about Medicare

Set up your online account

D2 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2014

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Is a new Social Security Faster card benefit in your decisions cards? for veterans

By Carolyn W. Colvin Acting Commissioner of Social Security

We believe it is important to recognize those who currently serve in the military as well as those injured in the line of duty and consider it an honor and a duty to serve them. Whether the injury is physical or mental, getting a decision about Social Security disability benefits from your government shouldn’t add to the problems faced by the injured. This year I unveiled a new initiative to expedite disability applications from veterans with a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability compensation rating of 100 percent Permanent and Total (P&T). Under the new process, Social Security will treat these veterans’ applications as high priority and issue expedited decisions, similar to the way we currently handle disability claims from wounded warriors. Colvin “Our veterans have sacrificed so much for our country and it is only right that we ensure they have timely access to the disability benefits they may be eligible for and deserve.” Learn more about the new expedited process for veterans at www.socialsecurity. gov/pressoffice/pr/2014/expedited-dib-process2-pr.html. Read about this new service at www.socialsecurity.gov/pgm/disability-pt.htm. Also, you’ll want to visit our Wounded Warriors page at www.socialsecurity. gov/woundedwarriors. There you’ll find informative webinars, a Disability Planner, an overview of our disability programs and the convenient online disability application. !

By Phyllis M. Smith SSA Deputy Regional Commissioner

To help combat the rising threat of fraud and identity theft, Social Security stopped issuing Social Security number printouts as of August 2014. If you need written confirmation of your Social Security number — perhaps your new employer needs verification — and you can’t find your Social Security card, you can apply for a replacement. But do you really need a replacement? In most cases, you don’t need your card as long as you know your number. For all intents and purposes, your number is your card. Usually providing your number and identifying information is enough. In the event you really do want or need a replacement card, either for yourself or for a child, you can find all of the details you need at www.socialsecurity.gov/ ssnumber. The “Social Security Number and Card” page provides information on how to obtain a replacement card and what specific documents you need to provide. Need a Social Security card for your new baby to claim him or her as a dependent on your tax return or to apply for government or social service benefits? In most cases, an application for your newborn’s Social Security card and number is taken in the hospital when you apply for your baby’s birth certificate. If not, you can request one for your child the same way you do for yourself. Whether you need a Social Security card for yourself or your child, it’s easy — and free — to apply for one. But consider whether a new Social Security card is really in the cards for you. It may be that your “card” is already with you — in your head. !

Different benefits for your family's different situations By Marisela Orozco-Jaramillo SSA Area Director

Social Security has your entire family in mind when it comes to coverage and benefits. We’re here to help everyone in the family — during every stage of life.

Figuring out retirement By Charo Boyd SSA Public Affairs Specialist

For almost every American worker, Social Security is “part of the plan” for a secure retirement. If you are among the roughly 95 percent of workers in the United States who are covered under Social Security, here’s a primer on retirement coverage. When you work and pay Social Security taxes, you earn “credits” toward Social Security benefits. If you were born in 1929, or later, you need 40 credits or 10 years of work to qualify for retirement benefits. No retirement benefits can be paid until you have the required number of credits. If you stop working before you have enough credits to qualify for benefits, the credits will remain on your Social Security record. If you return to work later, you can add more credits so that you qualify. Your benefit amount is based on how much you earned during your working career. Higher lifetime earnings result in higher benefits. A worker with average earnings can expect a retirement benefit that replaces about 40 percent of his or her average lifetime earnings. Social Security was never intended to be your only source of income when you retire. You also will need other savings, investments, pensions, or retirement accounts to make sure you have enough money to live comfortably when you retire. Your benefit payment also is affected by the age at which you decide to retire and begin receiving benefits. If you were born in 1942 or earlier, you already are eligible for your full Social Security benefit. If you were born from 1943 to 1960, the age at which full retirement benefits are payable increases gradually to age 67. Find out what your full retirement age is by typing in your year of birth at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/ ageincrease.htm. You can get Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62, but if you start benefits before your full retirement age, your benefits will be reduced, based on your age. If you start benefits at age 62, your benefit would be about 25 percent lower than what it would be if you waited until you reach full retirement age. You may choose to keep working even beyond your full retirement age. If you do, you can increase your future Social Security benefits — up until age 70. Choosing when to retire is an important decision, but it’s also a personal choice and one you should carefully consider. When’s the best time? There is no one-size-fits-all answer. Social Security offers a list of factors to consider in the publication When to Start Receiving Retirement Benefits at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10147.html. In addition, Social Security provides an online Retirement Estimator to get immediate and personalized retirement benefit estimates to help you plan for your retirement. The Retirement Estimator is a convenient and secure financial planning tool, allowing you to create “what if” scenarios. For instance, you can change your “stop work” dates or expected future earnings to create and compare different retirement options. If you have a few minutes, you have time to check it out at www.socialsecurity.gov/ estimator. You’ll also want to take advantage of our latest and extremely popular service by setting up an online my Social Security account. 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 retirement, disability, and survivor benefits you and your family may receive. Visit www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. When you’re ready, you can apply online for retirement benefits at www. socialsecurity.gov or call our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-3250778). Or, you can make an appointment to visit any Social Security office to apply in person. !

Most people think of retirement benefits when they think about Social Security, and that certainly is a big part of what we do. In fact, most of the benefits we pay go to retirees and their families — about 41 million people. But Social Security is more than retirement. Just read on. If you work and pay Social Security taxes during your lifetime, you can look forward to a strong foundation of income in retirement from Social Security. Of course, Social Security was never intended to be your sole source of retirement income. It is a foundation upon which you build with pensions, savings, and other income. But what if you become disabled before you retire and you are Orozco-Jaramillo unable to continue working to support your family? Social Security has you covered with disability benefits. If you have a disability that is expected If you have a disability that is to last a year or longer, or result in death, expected to last a year or longer, you should apply for disability benefits. or result in death, you should Your work and taxes cover not only apply for disability benefits. you, but your entire family, too. Family benefits can include retirement, disability and, in the event of your death, survivors benefits. This coverage includes everyone in your family who depends on you for support, such as your minor children who are under age 18, or age 19 if still in secondary school, as well as your spouse. It also can include older children who have severe disabilities that began before age 22. In some cases, parents and grandchildren can qualify for family benefits if they depend on your income and you are their only means of support If you want to learn more about how Social Security benefits the younger members of your family, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/youngpeople. This page has information for you even if you don’t have children and are a young worker yourself. So whether through survivors, disability, or retirement benefits, Social Security is here to help you and your entire family when the need arises. And the best way to apply for benefits is online at www.socialsecurity.gov. Perhaps another popular family member — the family pet — can best explain why applying online is the best option for you. Check out our creative videos on our YouTube channel for sound advice from the four-legged members of the family. Just visit www. socialsecurity.gov and select the YouTube button at the bottom of the page. Want to learn more? Read or listen to the publication, Understanding the Benefits, at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs. !

CREDITS

This publication is an advertising product of Custom Publications, a division of Star Media.

ADVERTISING SALES

Andrew Worthington Key account executive (317) 444-7173 andrew.worthington@indystar.com

CREATIVE

Associate manager: Elaine Benken Coordinator/designer: Beth Winchell

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2014

SPONSOR FEATURE

Indiana’s SHIP program helps Hoosiers navigate Medicare’s many options By Brian Herbert For Custom Publications

For more information about the State Health Insurance Assistance Program, visit www.indianaship.com. The website lists SHIP centers across Indiana, provides information about the Extra Help program and describes how to become a SHIP counselor for prospective volunteers.

Evaluating all of the options of the federal Medicare insurance program can be a daunting task. Fortunately, people eligible for Medicare in the Hoosier state have help. Indiana’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program — SHIP for short — provides free, unbiased information for anyone who has Medicare. SHIP is part of a nationwide network of assistance programs designed to ensure all Americans can access information to help them make decisions about their health care. With the annual Medicare open enrollment period beginning October 15, SHIP volunteers are gearing up to provide assistance at locations across the state throughout this time period. “The free counseling service is designed to help inform seniors about their health care options with Medicare,” said LeNisha “Lynn” Watson, home services manager for Heritage Place in Indianapolis. Watson coordinates SHIP volunteers at Heritage Place in Indianapolis. Located at 46th Street and Illinois on the north side, the community center provides a wide range of services to local seniors, including SHIP counseling. The facility’s three SHIP volunteers schedule appointments on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 1 to 3 p.m. “We give (senior clients) all the information they need to make the most informed decision about their health care,” Watson said. “While volunteers help their clients understand all of the options, they are careful to ensure they make their own independent decision.” As manager of the home services program, Watson helps homebound seniors remain self-sufficient. She

To contact SHIP, call (800) 452-4800.

Marion County SHIP sites CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions (317) 803-6138

Heritage Place of Indianapolis, Inc. (317) 283-6662

Community Hospital of Indianapolis East (317) 355-1530

Indianapolis Senior Citizens Center, Inc.

Community Hospital of Indianapolis North (317) 621-1576

Robin Run Village (317) 293-5500

Community Hospital of Indianapolis South (317) 887-7447 SHIP volunteer coordinator, Lynn Watson (left), helps Hoosier seniors understand health care benefit options.

arranges transportation and medical services and other provisions as needed. Her love for working with older generations formed early on. “I was raised by my grandmother through much of my childhood, and so I love giving back to older generations,” Watson said. “SHIP is a great program to help seniors ensure they receive the best health care through Medicare.” During her time at Heritage Place, Watson has witnessed the effectiveness of SHIP counseling. Too often, seniors have wiped out much of their retirement savings on medical bills. Fortunately, SHIP services can help seniors preserve their money by understanding all available options through Medicare. “People really appreciate the help,” Watson said. “I’ve seen many people get assistance through SHIP that has enabled them to keep more money in their pockets for future living expenses.”

(317) 263-6272

St. Vincent Hospital Orthopedic Center (317) 338-2198

For a complete list of sites statewide, go to www.indianaship.com.

income-based program that provides assistance to help seniors pay for Medicare Part D premiums, deductibles and co-payments to reduce the coverage gap. SHIP counselors can direct eligible participants to apply for Extra Help. The annual Medicare open enrollment period for 2015 benefits is Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, 2014. Throughout that time, SHIP counselors will be working hard to help Hoosiers understand their options and enroll wisely. Watson said her volunteers at Heritage Place are geared up to meet the demands

of the high-demand enrollment period. “Now is the busy season to get people the information they need to get enrolled,” she said. “The volunteers put in a lot of time helping our clients understand their options and get all the necessary paperwork completed to ensure the process runs smoothly.” To schedule an appointment with a SHIP volunteer at Heritage Place, call (317) 283-6662. If you’d like to learn more about the activities and programs at Heritage Place, go to www.heritageplaceindy.org. "

The State Health Insurance Assistance Program: ! Provides free one-on-one counseling about Medicare health insurance options. ! Helps seniors understand Medicare options and apply for coverage. ! Educates clients about the options available to enable sound health care decisions. ! Provides information about enrollment assistance programs and other services.

The busy season begins

! Refers clients to other assistance organizations to meet their needs.

October marks the busy open enrollment period – and it’s also Extra Help month for SHIP. Extra Help is an

! Provides speakers who can discuss SHIP with large groups and organizations.

D4 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2014

AN ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT OF THE INDIANAPOLIS STAR

Let’s talk about medicare By Mike Gray

SSA District Manager

October is “Talk About Prescriptions Month” and marks the beginning of this year’s Medicare open enrollment period. It’s the perfect time to talk about Medicare prescriptions and the Extra Help available from Social Security. Newly eligible Medicare beneficiaries and current beneficiaries who are considering changes to their Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage) plan, should act now. The Medicare open enrollment period runs from October 15 to December 7. The Medicare Part D prescription drug plan is available to all Medicare beneficiaries to help with the costs of medications. Joining a Medicare prescription drug plan is voluntary, and participants pay an additional monthly premium for the prescription drug coverage. While all Medicare beneficiaries can participate in the Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, some people with limited income and resources may be eligible for Extra Help to pay for monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and prescription co-payments. The Extra Help is estimated to be worth about $4,000 per year. Many Medicare beneficiaries qualify for these big savings and don’t even know it. To figure out whether you are eligible for the Extra Help, Social Security needs to know your income and the value of any savings, investments, and real estate (other than the home you live in). To qualify, you must be receiving Medicare and have: • Income limited to $17,505 for an individual or $23,595 for a married couple living together. Even if your annual income is higher, you still may be able to get some help with monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and prescription co-payments. Some examples where your income may be higher include if you or your spouse: — Support other family members who live with you; — Have earnings from work; or — Live in Alaska or Hawaii; and • Resources limited to $13,440 for an individual or $26,860 for a married couple living together. Resources include such things as bank accounts, stocks, and bonds. We do not count your house or car as resources.

The four parts of Medicare are parts A, B, C, and D: • Part A (Hospital Insurance) helps cover inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing care, hospice care, and home health care. Most people get Medicare Part A premiumfree since it was earned by working and paying Social Security taxes. • Part B (Medical Insurance) helps cover services from doctors and other outpatient health care providers, outpatient care, home health care, durable medical equipment, and some preventive services. Most people pay a premium for Part B. • Part C (Medicare Advantage) allows you to choose to receive all of your health care services through a provider organization. These plans include all benefits and services covered under Part A and Part B, usually includes Medicare prescription drug coverage as part of the plan, and may include extra benefits and services for an extra cost. You must have Part A and Part B to enroll in Part C. Monthly premiums vary depending on your state, private insurer, and whether you select a health maintenance organization or a preferred provider organization. • Part D (Medicare prescription drug coverage) helps cover the cost of prescription drugs. Many people pay a premium for Part D. However, people with low income and resources may qualify for extra help from Social Security to pay the premium and deductible. To see if you qualify for extra help visit www.ssa.gov/prescriptionhelp. Most people first become eligible for Medicare at age 65, and there is a monthly premium for Medicare Part B. In 2014 and 2015, the premium for most people is $104.90. Some high-income individuals pay more than the standard premium. Your Medicare Part B premium also can be higher if you do not enroll when you are first eligible, also known as your initial enrollment period. There also is a Medicare Part B deductible of $147 in 2014 and 2015.

You can complete an easy-to-use online application or get more information by visiting www.socialsecurity.gov/medicare. To apply for the Extra Help by phone or have an application mailed to you, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800325-0778) and ask for the Application for Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs (SSA-1020). And if you would like more information about the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Program, visit www.medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227; TTY 1-877-486-2048). While we’re on the subject of open seasons, the open enrollment period for qualified health plans under the Affordable Care Act is November 15 to February 15. Learn more about it at www.healthcare.gov. This Medicare open enrollment season, while you search for the Medicare prescription drug plan that best meets your needs — see if you qualify for the Extra Help through Social Security. That’s a winning prescription worth talking about. !

Get to know the faces and facts of disability

By Carmen Moreno SSA Regional Communications Director

Perhaps the most misunderstood Social Security program is disability insurance, often referred to as SSDI. Some people mistakenly think that beneficiaries are “on the dole” and getting easy money for minor impairments. That’s not the case. There are two ways to understand the truth about disability. One is by looking at the facts. The other is by getting to know some of the people who make up the many faces of disability. We have some of the strictest requirements in the world for disability benefits. The Social Security Act sets out a very strict definition of disability. To receive a disability benefit, a person must have an impairment expected to last at least one year or result in death. The impairment must be so Americans place a severe that it renders the person unable to perform high premium on any substantial work in the national job market, self-sufficiency, but not just their previous work. SSDI does not include temporary or partial disability benefits. Because the it is reassuring to eligibility requirements are so strict, Social Security know that Social disability beneficiaries are among the most severely Security disability impaired people in the country and tend to have insurance is there for those who need high death rates. In addition, Social Security conducts a periodic it the most. review of people who receive disability benefits to ensure they remain eligible for disability. Social Security also aggressively works to prevent, detect, and prosecute fraud. Social Security often investigates suspicious disability claims before making a decision to award benefits — proactively stopping fraud before it happens. These steps help to ensure that only those eligible have access to disability benefits. Americans place a high premium on self-sufficiency, but it is reassuring to know that Social Security disability insurance is there for those who need it the most. As for the faces . . . there are so many people who benefit from our disability program. But for now, allow us to introduce you to a few of them. Meet some of the faces of disability — people who have benefited from Social Security when they were most in need — at the new Faces and Facts of Disability website, www. socialsecurity.gov/disabilityfacts . They’re happy to share their personal stories with you. !

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2014 D5

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my Social Security

How to create an online account For Custom Publications

Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4

Visit www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount and select: Create An Account To create a my Social Security account, you must be at least 18 year old and have: • A valid e-mail address • A Social Security number • A U.S. mailing address Provide some personal information to verify your identity.

After you create a my Social Security account, you can access your Social Security Statement to check your earnings and get your benefit estimates.

If you receive benefits, you also can:

• Change your address and phone number • Start or change your direct deposit • Get your benefit verification letter

Choose a username and password to create your account.

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D6 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2014

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