50+ Lifestyles

YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY

By Karen Cole
Social Security District Manager
Davenport, Iowa

GETTING YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY INCOME VERIFICATION IS EASY

There are a number of reasons you may need written verification of your Social Security benefit amount. You may need to provide it to an energy assistance program or for subsidized housing. Perhaps you’re ready to make a major purchase and you’re trying to get a loan from a bank or financial institution. Or maybe you’re applying for state benefits or moving into a new apartment or home.

Whatever your reason, if you need verification of your income from Social Security, obtaining it is easy and convenient. Please go to www.socialsecurity.gov. Then look in the left column under “Top Services,” open the “Services for people currently receiving benefits” section, and select “Request a Proof of Income letter” to get a letter that verifies your Social Security benefit information.

You can use this letter for any reason that someone requires proof of your income. In addition to offering proof of your income, the letter is an official document that verifies your Medicare coverage, retirement or disability status, and age.

From the time that you complete the online request, it will take about 10 days for you to receive the proof of income letter in the mail. If you need one sooner, you’ll want to call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visit your local Social Security office.

For most people, requesting the proof of income online is the most convenient way to get what you need. Get your benefit verification by visiting www.socialsecurity.gov/beve.

BUSINESSES: FILE YOUR W-2s ONLINE

If you own a business and have employees, you know the law requires you to file W-2 forms each year for them.

Depending on the size of your business and amount of time you have, that could leave you feeling like you’re drowning in paperwork. But Social Security offers more than a life preserver — we offer you a way to file your W-2s without any paper at all! File your W-2s the fast, convenient, and paperless way — online.

Filing your W-2s electronically is free, fast, and secure! And there’s an added bonus: when you file electronically, you receive an extra month to file because electronically filed W-2s aren’t due until March 31. You’ll also receive an electronic acknowledgement receipt. And when you file electronically, you can print out your W-2s for your employees.

Social Security’s free electronic filing option is available for any small business. It allows you to prepare and submit up to 20 W-2s (per report) over a secure Internet service. When you register to file electronically, here’s what you get:

• Freedom from buying paper forms;
• W-2s for your employees and for your records;
• Electronic receipts you can use as proof that you filed on time; and
• Extension to March 31 to file.

You can register now to get started on your 2010 W-2s. Just take these seven simple steps:

1. Go to www.socialsecurity.gov/employer;
2. Select “Business Services Online” (BSO);
3. Select the “Register” button;
4. Complete the registration form,
5. Select your own password;
6. Select “Request access to BSO Services;” and
7. Complete the wizard for selecting the applications you want to access in BSO.

To learn more, visit Social Security’s Business Services Online at www.socialsecurity.gov/bso.

You also may want to review the 2010 Electronic W-2 Filing Handbook, available online at www.socialsecurity.gov/employer/bsohbnew.htm.