50+ Lifestyles

YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY: Rock Island, Illinois Office

By Cristina Vital
Social Security Manager
Rock Island Social Security Office

HARNESS THE POWER OF OUR TOP TEN BLOG POSTS

At Social Security, we are always looking for ways to improve how we communicate with you. It has been a year-and-a-half since we joined the blogosphere, and we could not be happier with the content we have been able to provide! This blog is exactly what we envisioned: an honest conversation with you about our programs, the topics that matter to you, and how our agency can better serve you.

On our blog, Social Security Matters, we have told you about our online services, warned you about protecting yourself against fraud, and shared new ways you can start preparing for a secure retirement.

If you have not read our blog, check it out now. In addition, if you have, here is an opportunity to revisit some of our best posts of the past year and a half. It is never too late to join the conversation by commenting on these blog posts.

Social Security and Veterans Affairs Partnership Speeds Disability Decisions for Veterans at blog.socialsecurity.gov/social-security-and-veterans-affairs-partnership-speeds-disability-decisions-for-veterans

• How I Navigated the Social Security Disability Process at blog.socialsecurity.gov/how-i-navigated-the-social-security-disability-process/
• Reporting Changes is Your Responsibility at blog.socialsecurity.gov/reporting-changes-is-your-responsibility/
• Scammers Fake Social Security email at blog.socialsecurity.gov/scammers-fake-social-security-email/
• The Disability Insurance Program — Securing Today and Tomorrow for 60 Years at blog.socialsecurity.gov/the-disability-insurance-program-securing-today-and-tomorrow-for-60-years/
• Have You Seen Your Social Security Card Lately? at blog.socialsecurity.gov/have-you-seen-your-social-security-card-lately/
• Your Social Security Statement Is Now at Your Fingertips at blog.socialsecurity.gov/your-social-security-statement-is-now-at-your-fingertips/
• A Special Arrival! Top Baby Names in 2015 at blog.ssa.gov/a-special-arrival/
• What is Social Security at blog.socialsecurity.gov/what-is-social-security/
• Going Online with Social Security isn’t Hard Work at blog.socialsecurity.gov/going-online-with-social-security-isnt-hard-work/

Moreover, these are only a fraction of the topics we have covered in this busy year. Visit our blog to learn about these and many other topics that may interest you. Stay informed, join the over a quarter million subscribers of Social Security Matters.
With financial benefits, services, and information, Social Security is here to help support you throughout life’s journey. Go check out our 10 most popular blogs and learn more about how our agency helps secure today and tomorrow.

WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU REALIZE YOUR DREAM

January 16 is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day — a national holiday and a day of remembrance. Martin Luther King Jr. dedicated his life to creating and fostering equal rights for African Americans, and he died during his efforts to make his dream a reality.

Many people commemorate this holiday by serving their community and giving to others who may be less fortunate. In many ways, this is what Social Security does every day, all year long.

A great way to be of service to others is to help someone you know who may need assistance applying for Social Security, Medicare, or Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug costs. This is easy to do at www.socialsecurity.gov.

Some people who need these benefits may not be comfortable with computers or may not even know applying online is an option. Now, it is easier than ever to apply for such benefits from the convenience of a home computer at www.socialsecurity.gov.

For example, it is easy to apply for retirement benefits at www.socialsecurity.gov/applyonline. It can take as little as 15 minutes from start to finish. Once the application is electronically submitted, in most cases, there is nothing more to do.

It is even easier to apply for Medicare, for people who do not plan to begin their Social Security retirement payments yet but who do want Medicare coverage. The application takes about 10 minutes and you can find it at www.socialsecurity.gov/medicareonly.

People who already have Medicare coverage, but who need help meeting prescription drug costs, can apply for Extra Help online at www.socialsecurity.gov/extrahelp.

This holiday, you may want to make a trip to see the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C., or read or listen to a recording of his legendary I Have a Dream speech. You can also make your Martin Luther King Day a day of service to someone who can use your help. Lead them to www.socialsecurity.gov. It may be easy for you, but it may help someone you love realize their own dreams.