Every July, we take pride in celebrating our nation’s independence. For nearly 90 years, our programs have helped provide financial independence to millions of hardworking people. We have useful online tools like the Social Security Statement (statement) and our benefits estimator tool that help people not yet receiving benefits. The statement shows the benefits that you and your family may be entitled to includes personalized fact sheets tailored to your age and earnings situation. The benefits estimator tool allows you to get estimates based on different ages you want to begin receiving benefits. These tools can help you plan for financial independence in retirement.
Don’t receive benefits? You can get the most out of your online experience if you have a personal My Social Security account. You can:
• Get your statement instantly.
• Request a replacement Social Security card (in nearly every state and the District of Columbia).
• Find out if you qualify for benefits.
• Appeal a decision we made on your claim.
Already receiving benefits? If so, you can use your personal my Social Security account to:
• Request a replacement Social Security card (in nearly every state and the District of Columbia).
• Get an instant benefit verification letter for Social Security, Medicare, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
• Start or change your direct deposit (Social Security beneficiaries only).
• Check your information and benefit amount.
• Change your address (Social Security beneficiaries only).
• Request a replacement Medicare card.
• Get a replacement SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S instantly for tax season.
• Report your wages if you work and receive disability benefits or SSI.
You can create your personal My Social Security account at www.ssa.gov/myaccount.
With so many services and helpful information available online, we are here for you when it’s convenient for you. Be sure to tell friends and family about all they can do at
www.ssa.gov.
Q & A
Q.: Will my retirement benefits increase if I wait and retire after my full retirement age?
A: Yes. You can increase your Social Security retirement benefit in two ways:
• You can increase your retirement benefit by a certain percentage if you delay receiving retirement benefits. We will add these increases automatically from the time you reach full retirement age until you start receiving benefits or reach age 70.
• If you work, each additional year you work adds another year of earnings to your Social Security record. Higher lifetime earnings may result in higher benefits when you do retire.
For more information, visit www.ssa.gov/pubs to read, print, or listen to our publication, “When to Start Receiving Retirement Benefits.” You also can use our “Retirement Estimator” at www.ssa.gov/estimator to determine your estimated future benefits.
Q.: Will my Social Security disability benefit increase if my condition gets worse or I develop additional health problems?
A: No. We do not base your Social Security benefit amount on the severity of your disability. The amount you are paid is based on your average lifetime earnings before your disability began. If you go back to work after getting disability benefits, you may be able to get a higher benefit based on those earnings. In addition, we have incentives that allow you to work temporarily without losing your disability benefits. For more information about disability benefits, read our publications “Disability Benefits and Working While Disabled — How We Can Help.” Both are available online at www.ssa.gov/pubs.
Q.: My grandfather, who is receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), will be coming to live with me. Does he have to report the move to Social Security?
A: Yes. An SSI beneficiary must report any change in living arrangements before the 10th day of the following month. If you do not report the change, your grandfather could receive an incorrect payment and have to pay it back, or he may not receive all the money that he is due. Failure to report a change to us could result in the deduction of a penalty from his SSI benefits. Your grandfather also needs to report the new address to us to receive mail from us. You can report the change by mail or in person at any Social Security office or call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). You can get more information by reading “Understanding SSI” at www.ssa.gov/ssi.