June 2014 Social Security

Social Security

2014

Timely information about your Social Security Benefits

Written by Kirk Larson, Social Security Western Washington Public Affairs Specialist

In partnership with the Social Security Administration

A Supplement to the Skagit Valley Herald and Anacortes American

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Dust Off Your Financial Plan.............................2 Don’t Be Stressed Over Fraud............................3 My Social Security Account – Understand Your Benefits.......................................................3 Social Security Provides Support With Survivor Benefits.......................................................4 Your Spouse May Be Covered By Social Security.......................................................5 Women And Social Security................................6 Social Security Honors All Who Serve...............6 Q & A With Social Security................................7 Fast Medicare Coverage Even When You’re Not Retired.................................................8 Are Your Social Security Benefits Taxable?.......8 Want To Know the Top Baby Names for 2013?

Check with Social Security.........................9 Different Benefits For Your Family’s Different Situations..................................................10 Listen And Learn About Social Security.

Free Audio Publications For Your Convenience.............................................10 Can’t Work Due To Disability? Maybe Social Security Can Help....................................11

Scan this QR code with your smartphone to connect to socialsecurity.gov/seattle/index

Dust Off Your Financial Plan There is an old saying, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” That is very true when you start to consider retirement. According to a 2013 survey by the Employee Benefit Research Institute, the past few years have seen a sharp decline in Americans’ confidence about their retirement savings. Only 13 percent of workers feel very confident about having enough for a comfortable retirement and 28 percent are not at all confident. More than half of workers have less than $25,000 in total savings and investments.

If you haven’t begun saving for retirement, now is a good time to start—no matter what your age. If retirement is near, you’ll want to jump into the fast lane right away. If you’re younger and retirement seems a lifetime away, it’s still in your best interest to begin saving now. Here’s how much the magic of compound interest will work to your advantage.

For example, a 25-year old who begins saving $100 a month and earns a modest 5 percent interest will have more than $150,000 at age 65. Experts agree that saving when you’re young will make a world of difference when the time comes to draw on your retirement savings.

Don’t just take our word for it. You can check out the numbers yourself. A great way to start

figuring out how much you will need for retirement is to use Social Security’s online Retirement Estimator, which offers an instant and personalized estimate of your future Social Security retirement benefits based on your earnings record. Try it today at www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator.

We encourage saving for retirement, but there are reasons to save for every stage of life. A great place to go for help is www.mymoney.gov (the official U.S. government’s website dedicated to teaching Americans the basics of finances.) Whether you are looking for information about buying a home, balancing your checkbook, or investing in your 401(k) plan, the resources on www.mymoney.gov can help you.

The Ballpark Estimator at www.choosetosave. org/ballpark is another excellent online tool. It makes complicated issues, like projected Social Security benefits and earnings assumptions on savings, easy to understand.

If you have to choose between scrubbing down the house or scrubbing your budget to get your financial house in order, we recommend putting off the cleaning one more day. Get started on planning your future right now at www.socialsecurity. gov and don’t arrive at retirement unprepared.

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Don’t Be Stressed Over Fraud If you fall victim to fraud, it can really stress you out, not to mention damage your credit score and wallet. We encourage you to be cautious of suspicious email, letters, and phone calls or any time someone asks for your personal information.

Generally, Social Security will not call or email you and ask for your personal information, such as your Social Security number or banking information. If someone contacts you and asks for this kind of information and claims to be from Social Security, do not give out your personal information without first contacting us to verify the validity of the request. It could be an identity thief phishing for your personal information. Contact our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).

Report suspicious calls to our Fraud Hotline at 1-800-269-0271 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Eastern Time, or online at http://oig.ssa.gov using the “Fraud, Waste, and Abuse” link. When making a report, please include as many of the following details as possible: • The alleged suspect(s) and victim(s) names, addresses, phone numbers, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers; • Description of the fraud and the location where the fraud took place; • When and how the fraud was committed;

• Why the person committed the fraud (if known); and • Who else has knowledge of the potential violation?

Identity theft is one of the fastest-growing crimes in America. If you or anyone you know has been the victim of identity theft, you should contact the Federal Trade Commission at www. idtheft.gov, or call 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-4384338); TTY 1-866-653-4261.

Misleading advertisers may victimize people who receive Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.

Such companies offer Social Security services for a fee, even though the same services are available directly from us free of charge. Especially upsetting are ads that make it appear as though they came directly from us. By law, such advertisements must indi-

cate that the company is not affiliated with Social Security.

If you see, what you believe is misleading advertising for Social Security services from a company that fails to say it is not affiliated with Social Security, report it to us at: Office of the Inspector General, Fraud Hotline, Social Security Administration, P.O. Box 17768, Baltimore, MD 21235. This goes for advertisements in print, online, or on television or radio. Also, advise your state’s attorney general or consumer affairs office and the Better Business Bureau. You can visit the Office of the Inspector General online at http://oig.ssa.gov and select the “Fraud, Waste, or Abuse” link. Learn more about identity theft and misleading advertising by reading our publications on the subjects at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs. You may have enough stress already.

Do not get stressed over fraud.

My Social Security Account – Understand Your Benefits This new Social Security tool is a personalized online account that people can use beginning in their working years and continuing throughout the time they receive Social Security benefits. For many years, the Social Security Administration sent Benefit Statement in the mail to all individuals working and paying into Social Security. SSA will no longer provide those annual mailers.

If you have not started benefits you can – get a personalized online Social Security Benefit Statement. The online Statement provides eligible workers with secure and convenient access to their Social Security earnings and benefit information, and estimates of future benefits they can use to plan for their retirement. You can see year by year how much money you made. In addition, the portal includes

links to information about other online services, such as applications for retirement, disability, and Medicare.

If you are already receiving benefits you can - access benefit verification letters, payment history, and earnings record instantly using their online account.

Social Security beneficiaries also can change their address or change direct deposit information online.

In the future additional services will be available.

People age 18 and older can sign up for an account and after completing the secure verification process, create a My Social Security account with a unique user name and password to access their information.

For more information, please go to www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount/

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Social Security Provides Support With Survivor Benefits In the unfortunate event of a family member’s death, we want you to know that Social Security is here to help. In addition to the emotional difficulty family members’ experience, there is often a financial burden as well, especially if the family’s main wage earner dies. In such cases, Social Security survivor benefits will help.

Today in the state of Washington, there are many who depend on the Social Security benefits provided by a loved one who has passed. There are over 110,000 surviving spouses and children who received monthly benefit payments. Those payments add up to well over one and a half billion dollars per year.

Did you know that nearly every child in America could get Social Security survivors benefits if a working parent dies? In addition, Social Security pays more benefits to children than any other federal program. Today, nearly two millions children receive benefits off a deceased parents record each month.

Although many people think Social Security is just a retirement program, you should know that

Social Security also provides survivors insurance benefits for workers and their families. If you’re like most people, the value of the survivors insurance you have under Social Security is probably more than the value of any individual life insurance you may own. Moreover, you don’t even need to sign up for a separate policy; by working and paying Social Security tax, you are most likely already insured without even knowing it.

Family members who may be able to receive survivors benefits based on your work record include a widow or widower, unmarried children up to age 19 and still in high school, and under certain circumstances, stepchildren, grandchildren, step grandchildren, and adopted children.

Another special program Social Security uses to support the family is dependent parent benefits.

If your child dies and you are dependent on him or her for more than one half of your support, you can collect a Social Security benefit from the adult child’s record. Social Security pays monthly benefits to parents on the record of a deceased worker under

the following conditions: • The parent must be at least 62 years old and not have remarried since the worker’s death; • The parent cannot be entitled to his/her own, higher Social Security benefit; • The parent must be able to show that he/she was receiving one-half of his/her financial support from the worker at the time of death; • The proof of support must be submitted within two years of the worker’s death.

If you’d like to learn more about survivor benefits, and how to apply, you should read our publication, Survivors Benefits, available at www.socialsecurity. gov/pubs.

You can find additional useful information, such as our survivors’ planner and information about how to apply for survivors benefits, at www.socialsecurity.gov/pgm/survivors.htm.

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Your Spouse May Be Covered If you have a spouse who does not earn an income or who earns less than you do, your spouse (including a samesex 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 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 wageearner’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.

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 ex-spouse 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/

By Social Security 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.

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Women And Social Security

The Social Security program treats all workers — men and women — exactly the same in terms of the benefits they can receive. But women may want to familiarize themselves with what the program means to them in their particular circumstances. Understanding the benefits may mean the difference between living more comfortably versus just getting by in retirement.

Social Security plays a vital 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. With the national average life expectancy for women in the United States rising, many women will have decades to enjoy retirement.

Women reaching age 65 in 2012 are expected to live, on average, an additional 21.5 years compared with about 19 years for a man of the same age.

Women represent 57 percent of all Social Security beneficiaries age 62 and older and approximately 68 percent of beneficiaries age 85 and older.

Today the average life expectancy of a 65 year old woman is age 85. As a result, experts generally agree that if women want to ensure that their retirement years are comfortable, they need to plan early and wisely.

In 2010, for unmarried women –

including widows – age 65 and older, Social Security comprises 49 percent of their total income. In contrast, Social Security benefits comprise only 37 percent of unmarried elderly men’s income and only 32 percent of elderly couples’ income.

What you can do The best place to begin is by knowing what you can expect to receive from Social Security, and how much more you are likely to need.

You can start with a visit to Social Security’s Retirement Estimator. There, in just a few minutes, you can get a personalized, instant estimate of your retirement benefits. You can find it at www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator.

You should also visit Social Security’s financial planning website at www.socialsecurity.gov/planners.

It provides detailed information about how marriage, widowhood, divorce, self-employment, government service, and other life or career events can affect your Social Security.

If you want more information about the role of Social Security in women’s lives today, Social Security also has a booklet that you may find useful. It is called Social Security: What Every Woman Should Know. You can find it online at www.socialsecurity.gov/ pubs/10127.html.

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Social Security Honors All Who Serve Every day of the year, Americans across the nation remember friends and family members who have served and sacrificed for their country.

Memorial Day is a day when we all come together to honor those who have given their lives in the defense of freedom and the principles we hold dear in this country.

At Social Security, we offer a wide range of services for our service members year around. Families of fallen military heroes may be eligible for Social Security survivor benefits. Learn more about Social Security survivor benefits at www.socialsecurity.gov/ pgm/survivors.htm.

For service members who return home with injuries, Social Security is here to help. Visit our Wounded Warriors website. You can find it at www.socialsecurity.gov/woundedwarriors. We use an expedited process for military service members who become disabled while on active military service, regardless of where the disability occurs.

The Wounded Warriors website answers a number of commonly asked questions, and shares other useful information about disability benefits, including how veterans can receive expedited processing of disability claims.

It is important to note that benefits available through Social Security are different from those paid by the Department of Veterans Affairs and require a separate application.

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 are unable to work due to a disabling condition. Active duty status and receipt of military pay does not necessarily prevent payment of Social Security disability benefits. Receipt of military payments should never stop someone from applying for disability benefits from Social Security.

If you’ve served in the Armed Forces and you’re planning your retirement, you’ll want to read our publication, Military Service and Social Security at www.socialsecurity.gov/ pubs/10017.html.

At Social Security, we honor all those who served in the military and we remember those who died for their country.

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Question:

Question:

Q&A

adjusted or “indexed” to account for changes in I am nearing my full Will my military average wages since the retirement age, but I retirement affect my year the earnings were plan to keep working Social Security benefits? received. We calculate after I apply for Social your average monthly Security benefits. Will indexed earnings during No. You can get both the 35 years in which my benefits be reduced Social Security benefits because of my income? you earned the most. and military retirement. We apply a formula to Generally, there is no these earnings and arrive No. If you start receivoffset of Social Security at your basic benefit ing benefits after you’ve benefits because of your amount. Learn more reached your full retiremilitary retirement. You by visiting us online at will get full benefits www.socialsecurity.gov. ment age, you can work while you receive Social based on your earnSecurity and your curings. The only way your Social Security benefit My cousin and I are rent benefit will not be reduced because of the may be reduced is if you both retired and get earned income. If you also receive a governSocial Security. We keep working, it could ment pension based on worked for the same a job in which you did employer for years, but mean a higher benefit not pay Social Security he gets a higher Social for you in the future.

Higher benefits can be taxes. You can find more Security benefit. Why important to you later information in the pubis that? in life and increase the lication Military Service future benefit amounts and Social Security at your survivors could www.socialsecurity.

Your payments are receive. If you begin gov/pubs. Or call us at based on your earnings 1-800-772-1213 (TTY over your lifetime. Unless receiving benefits before your full retirement age, 1-800-325-0778). you are both the same age, started and stopped your earnings could reduce your monthly work on the exact same What’s the average dates, and earned the benefit amount. After monthly Social Security very same amount every you reach full retirement benefit for a retired year of your careers, you age, we recalculate your worker? How is the re- wouldn’t get the same benefit amount to leave tirement benefit amount benefit as your cousin. out the months when calculated? we reduced or withheld Social Security benefits are based on many years benefits due to your of earnings — generally excess earnings. Learn The current averyour highest 35 years. To more about Social Secuage monthly Social learn more about Social rity reading our publicaSecurity benefit for a Security retirement ben- tion, How Work Affects retired worker is $1,294. efits, visit www.socialse- Your Benefits, at www.

Social Security benefits curity.gov and select the socialsecurity.gov/ are based on earnings pubs/10069.html.

“Retirement” link. averaged over most of a worker’s lifetime. Your actual earnings are first

Answer:

Answer:

With Social Security Question:

Will my Medicare coverage change because of the Affordable Care Act?

Answer:

No, not at all. People who have Medicare coverage are not affected by the Affordable Care Act. Medicare is not a part of the Affordable Care Act’s Health Insurance Marketplace. If you are a Medicare beneficiary, your Medicare benefits are not changing. You do not need to replace your Medicare coverage with Marketplace coverage.

For more information about the Marketplace, visit www.healthcare. gov. For more information about Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D, visit www.medicare.gov. Or read our publication on

Medicare at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs.

Question:

I’m quite a number of years away from getting Social Security but I used to get a copy of my Social Security Benefits Statement every year around my birthday. I haven’t seen it.

Is there a problem?

Answer:

There’s no problem.

In light of the current budget situation, the Social Security Administration has eliminated the annual mailed Social Security Statement and suspended the Request a Social Security Statement by phone service.

You should visit “my Social Security” at www. socialsecurity.gov/myaccount to obtain your statement. Don’t worry,

it’s fast, it’s safe, and it’s easy. At each stage of your life, a my Social Security account is for you.

Your personal online my Social Security account is a valuable source of information beginning in your working years and continuing throughout the time you receive Social Security benefits.

If you receive benefits, you can use a my Social Security online account to get your benefit verification letter for proof of income; check your payment information; change your address; change your phone number; or change your direct deposit. It’s much faster than calling Social Security by phone. In addition, it helps save our tax dollars!

Question:

Answer:

Question:

Answer:

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June 2014 goskagit.com

Fast Medicare Coverage Even When You’re Not Retired You’ve made your decision: although you’re eligible to collect Social Security payments, you’re going to keep working and delay receiving your retirement benefits.

But don’t forget about Medicare.

Even if you decide to wait until after you are age 65 to apply for retirement benefits, most people should apply for Medicare coverage at age 65.

If you’d like to begin your Medicare coverage, you should apply within three months of reaching age 65.

There’s a fast, convenient, and simple way to apply online for Medicare in as little as 10 minutes — even if you’re not ready to receive retirement benefits. Just visit www.socialsecurity. gov/medicareonly.

At the website, you’ll find more than just the online Medicare application. You’ll also find information about Medicare, and have the opportunity to watch a short, fun video reuniting the cast of The Patty Duke Show to tell

you about the ease and convenience of filing for Medicare online.

It’s important to note that people who already receive Social Security retirement or disability benefits do not need to apply for Medicare; they will be automatically enrolled.

There is no additional charge for Medicare hospital insurance (Part A) since you already paid for it by working and paying Medicare tax.

However, there is a monthly premium for medical insurance (Part B), for most people that is about $104.90 per month. If you already have other health insurance when you become eligible for Medicare, you should consider whether you want to apply for the medical insurance. You may want to consult with an insurance specialist. To learn more about this and other Medicare considerations, read our online publication, Medicare, at www.socialsecurity.gov/ pubs/10043.html.

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Are Your Social Security Benefits Taxable?

If you’ve recently begun receiving Social Security benefits or plan to apply in the near future, you may be wondering this tax season: are Social Security benefits taxable?

The short answer is: sometimes.

Some people have to pay federal income taxes on their Social Security benefits. This usually happens only if you have other substantial income (such as wages, self-employment, interest, dividends and other taxable income that must be reported on your tax return) in addition to your Social Security benefits.

There is never a case when a person pays tax on more than 85 percent of his or her Social Security benefits, based on Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rules. Now, let’s get down to the numbers.

If you file a federal tax return as an individual and your income is between $25,000 and $34,000, you may have to pay income tax on up to 50 percent of your benefits. If your income is more than $34,000, then up to 85 percent of your benefits may be taxable.

If you are married and you file a joint return, and you and your spouse have a combined income that is between $32,000 and $44,000, you may have to pay income tax on up to 50 percent of your benefits. If your combined income is more than $44,000, then up to 85 percent of your benefits may be taxable.

Note that your “income” for the purpose of determining whether you must pay taxes on some of your Social Security benefits includes your adjusted gross income, your nontaxable interest, and one half of your Social Security benefits.

In January, you should have received a Social Security Benefit Statement showing the amount of benefits you received last year. You can use this statement, or SSA-1099, when completing your federal income tax return to find out whether some of your benefits are subject to federal income tax. If you didn’t receive yours, you can request one at www.socialsecurity.gov/1099.

So, are your Social Security benefits taxable? Maybe. To learn more, read page 14 of our booklet, Retirement Benefits, available at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs or visit www.irs.gov/ to obtain more detailed information on the subject.

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Want To Know the Top Baby Names for 2013?

Check with Social Security.

Noah and Sophia are America’s most popular baby names for 2013.

First time atop the list is Noah, the first new boys name at number one since 1960 other than Jacob or Michael, and the third straight year for Sophia. This is huge news in the world of baby names with Noah rising to the top, unseating Jacob.

Proving to be America’s favorite before the 2014 Russell Crowe movie Noah climbed atop the box office charts! Also, be on the lookout for another Sophia crawling up the list—Sofia with an “f” has reached her highest spot ever at number 13.

The agency began compiling the baby name list in 1997, with names dating back to 1880. At the time of a child’s birth, parents supply the name to the agency when applying for a child’s Social Security card, thus making Social Security America’s source for the most popular baby names.

Here is the Nationwide top five boys and girls names for 2013:

Boys: 1. Noah 2. Liam 3. Jacob 4. Mason 5. William

Girls: 1. Sophia 2. Emma 3. Olivia 4. Isabella 5. Ava

For comparison, here are the State of Washington top 5 boys and girls names for 2013

Boys: 1. Liam 2. Mason 3. Alexander 4. Ethan 5. Noah

Girls: 1. Emma 2. Olivia 3. Sophia 4. Isabella 5. Abigail

For all the top baby names of 2013, go to Social Security’s website,

http://www.socialsecurity.gov.

You can also discover information about your Social Security benefits at, http://www.socialsecurity.gov. Find out what your future benefits are or review your earnings history year by year and much more.

Just open your my Social Security account. Take some time to understand how Social Security protects you.

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June 2014

Different Benefits For Your Family’s Different Situations National Family Month takes place each year from Mother’s Day in May to Father’s Day in June, and coincides with the end of the school year when families are able to spend even more time together. It is the perfect time to spend more time focusing on each member of your family.

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.

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.

However, 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. You build with pensions, savings, and other income upon a foundation.

Nevertheless, what if you become disabled before you retire and you are unable to continue working to support your family? Social Security has you covered with disability benefits. If you have a disability that is expected to last a year or longer, or result in death, you should apply for disability benefits.

Your work and taxes cover not only 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.

Therefore, 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.

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Listen And Learn About Social Security.

Free Audio Publications For Your Convenience.

Perhaps you’ve been planning to read that booklet on Social Security benefits for some time now, but you never seem to find the time to sit down with it. If only you could listen to an audio version, just as you might listen to the latest novel by your favorite author on audio book.

Now you can. Social Security offers more than a hundred publications in audio format, in both English and Spanish. You can find them at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/alt-pubs.html or you can call (800) 772-1213 for assistance.

At Social Security, we want to make sure you can get the information you need. That is why we offer our publications in print, online in both Internet and PDF versions, and some in audio format. You also can get publications in Braille, in enlarged print and even cassette or CD. If you are blind or visually impaired and are having trouble reading a notice we sent you in the mail, you can ask a Social Security representative to read it and explain it to you. You can contact us as many times as you want to get an explanation.

Social Security is committed to using technology to improve the customer service experience. Learning about any aspect of Social Security’s programs is easier than ever, in the format that works best for you. These days, you can even get a personalized estimate of your future benefits and apply for those benefits online.

From the comfort of your home, you can access information about Social Security. Take it a step further and use the audio publications in combination with the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section to get answers to over 700 questions.

If you were planning to plug in the ear buds and listen to a little music tonight, why not play the Social Security publication you’ve been putting off? It’s never been easier to learn about Social Security. Just visit www.socialsecurity.gov and select the “Forms and Publications” link on the left side of the page. Welcome to our online library. Whatever your preferred format, we’re here for you.

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June 2014

Can’t Work Due To Disability?

Maybe Social Security Can Help

Disability is something most people • the names, addresses, and phone don’t like to discuss. But if you’re numbers for any doctors, hospitals, not able to work because you have a medical facilities, treatment centers, disabling condition that is expected to or providers that may have informalast at least one year or result in death, tion related to your disabling condithen it’s a subject you may not be able tion; and to avoid.

• the names, addresses, and phone In the state of Washington there are numbers for recent employers and over 178,000 workers receiving monththe dates worked for each employer. ly payments from Social Security DisIf you don’t have all of the informaability benefits. The average payment tion handy, that’s no reason to delay. is about $1160 per month.

You should still apply for benefits right away. Social Security can assist you Average Monthly Payment in Key Counties – in getting the necessary documents, including obtaining your medical reIsland $1,227 cords. Just keep in mind that if you do King $1,188 have the information we need, it will San Juan $1,217 probably speed up the time it takes to Skagit $1,151 make a decision.

Snohomish $1,220 The fastest and most convenient Whatcom $1,101 way to apply for disability is online at You can apply for disability benefits www.socialsecurity.gov/applyfordiseven if you are still working. General- ability. You can save your application ly, your wages would need to be below as you go, so you can take a break at $1,070 or $1,800 for a blind individual, any time.

If you prefer, you may call our tollhowever, there are some exceptions. free number, 1-800-772-1213, to make You also file for benefits even if you an appointment to apply at your local started your retirement benefits and have been out of the workforce for 4 or Social Security office or to set up an appointment for someone to take your 5 years. As long as you became disabled before the age of 66, you poten- application over the phone.

If you are approved for disability tially can still file for disability benefits.

You should apply for disability ben- benefits, that doesn’t mean you’ll never efits as soon as you become disabled. It be able to work again. In fact, Social may take you months to obtain all your Security has special rules called “work incentives” that allow you to test your medical records and for us to process ability to work. an application for disability benefits.

Learn more about disability benThe types of information we need efits and take advantage of the helpful include: Disability Starter Kit at www.socialse• medical records or documentacurity.gov/disability/disability_starttion you have; we can make copies er_kits.htm. of your records and return your originals;

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