50+ Lifestyles

FROM TYPEWRITERS TO MEGABYTES — SOCIAL SECURITY’S EVOLUTION

By Linda Clayton-Powell
Social Security District Manager
Davenport, Iowa

The first typewriter to be commercially successful was invented on June 23, 1868.  One hundred years later, Social Security still used the same technology to type Social Security cards, envelopes, forms, and applications. This system required thousands of employees to create, maintain, transmit, and file the folder for each current and future beneficiary by hand to ensure accurate payments to retirees and disability beneficiaries.

Of course, that has all changed with modern computers and the Internet.  Now, you do not even need to leave the comfort of your home to do the majority of your business with Social Security. Your first step in embracing the future is creating your own, personal my Social Security account.

Setting up a my Social Security account is quick, secure, and easy. More than 18 million Americans already have accounts. In fact, someone opens one about every six seconds.  Join the crowd and sign up today at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.  With a personalized my Social Security account, you can:
•  Obtain an instant, personalized estimate of your future Social Security benefits
•  Verify the accuracy of your earnings record — your future benefit amounts are based on your earnings record
•  Change your address and phone number, if you receive monthly Social Security benefits
•  Sign up for or change direct deposit of your Social Security benefits
•  Get a replacement SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S for tax season
•  Obtain estimates of the Social Security and Medicare taxes you have paid.

Here are some other things you can do with a few simple key strokes at our website, www.socialsecurity.gov:
•  Apply for retirement, disability, spouses, and Medicare benefits
•  Check the status of your benefit application
•  Use our benefit planners to help you better understand your Social Security options as you plan for your financial future
•  Request a replacement Medicare card
•  Apply for Extra Help with your Medicare prescription drug plan costs

Accessing www.socialsecurity.gov on the go is just as easy as it is at home. We have optimized our website to function on your desktop computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone.

Just look at how far we have come.  Those slow days of typewriters are gone. At Social Security, we are embracing innovation and seeking new technologies to serve you better.  Social Security is not just prepared for the future; we are protecting your future.

Learn more about Social Security by typing www.socialsecurity.gov — in your web browser, not on your typewriter.

SOCIAL SECURITY SUPPORTS NATIONAL CANCER SURVIVORS DAY

In 2015, more than a million people will be diagnosed with cancer.  This alarming statistic affects people and families all over the world.  On June 7, 2015, we observe National Cancer Survivors Day in the United States.  In support of this day, Social Security encourages checkups, early detection, and awareness, while honoring the survivors who have gone through this battle and defeated the disease.

Social Security stands strong in our support of the fight against cancer.  We offer services to patients suffering from this disease through our disability program and our Compassionate Allowances program. Compassionate Allowances are cases with medical conditions so severe they obviously meet Social Security’s disability standards, allowing us to process the cases with minimal medical information quickly.

There is no special application or form you need to submit for Compassionate Allowances. Simply apply for disability benefits using the standard Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) application.  Once we identify you as having a Compassionate Allowances condition, we will expedite your disability application.

Social Security establishes Compassionate Allowances conditions using information received at public outreach hearings, from the Social Security and disability Determination services communities, from medical and scientific experts, and based on our research.  For more information about Compassionate Allowances, or to view the conditions currently listed, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/compassionateallowances.

If you think you qualify for disability benefits based on a Compassionate Allowances condition, please visit www.socialsecurity.gov to apply for benefits.