50+ Lifestyles

YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY Davenport, Iowa Office

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

GIVE AN INVALUABLE GIFT THIS MOTHER’S DAY

Are you struggling to find that perfect gift for Mom this Mother’s Day? Like most Americans, her schedule is busy and she might not get to spend as much time with loved ones as she would like. So, in addition to giving her flowers or a gift certificate, give her a gift she’ll really appreciate — the chance to spend more time with the ones she loves!

Mom can never start planning for retirement too early. If she isn’t already retired, she can view her Social Security Statement, verify her earnings records, and find out what benefits she can expect to receive at age 62, her full retirement age, or at age 70.

Next time you spend time with your mom, help her quickly and easily sign up for a free, online my Social Security account. You can do it from home, which means less time waiting in line and more time doing the things you want to do together.

Signing up for a my Social Security account will give Mom (and Dad) the tools she needs to stay on top of her future Social Security benefits. When she signs up at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount, she can do a number of things. First and foremost, she can plan for her retirement.

In some states, she can even request a replacement Social Security card online using my Social Security. Currently available in the District of Columbia, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Nebraska, New Mexico, Washington, and Wisconsin, it’s an easy, convenient, and secure way to request a replacement card online. We plan to add more states, so we encourage you to check back regularly at www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber.

The time saved by using our convenient and secure online services is priceless. Helping Mom sign up for a my Social Security account at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount is a great, personalized gift that shows you really care!

SOCIAL SECURITY, A SUPER HERO TO MANY AMERICANS

Summer movie season is about to start, and that means your favorite blockbuster heroes are about to do battle. Captain America is back to defend the country. The X-Men are joining forces to stop an impending apocalypse. And there will be another Independence Day movie, where the world narrowly escapes total annihilation — again!

In a lot of ways, Social Security is a super hero to millions of Americans. Like Captain America, we come to the rescue when disability strikes. One in four of today’s 20-year-olds will become disabled before they retire. You can learn more about people with disabilities and how we help them at www.socialsecurity.gov/disabilityfacts.

You might not have been born with uncanny superpowers like the X-Men, but you were born with the right to earn retirement and disability benefits. Social Security is a lifeline for most retirees, keeping tens of millions out of poverty. Fifty-one percent of the workforce has no private pension coverage. Thirty-four percent of the workforce has no savings set aside specifically for retirement. You can learn more about the benefits you might be entitled to and about retiring online at www.socialsecurity.gov/retire.
You can also have your own Independence Day when you sign up for my Social Security. Go it alone with a personal, secure, my Social Security account. Use it to:

• Keep track of your earnings and verify them every year;
• Apply for a replacement Social Security card in certain areas;
• Get an estimate of your future benefits, if you are still working;
• Get a letter with proof of your benefits, if you currently receive them; and
• Manage your benefits:
  • Change your address;
  • Start or change your direct deposit;
  • Request a replacement Medicare card; and
  • Get a replacement SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S for tax season.

You’ll feel like you have superhuman powers when you do any of these things online at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.
Now you know how you can create a blockbuster retirement with our many online services. You don’t even need a Bat-computer; any computer will do. Visit our not-so-secret headquarters at www.socialsecurity.gov.