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YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY Rock Island, Illinois Office

By Cristina Vital
Social Security Manager
Rock Island Social Security Office

MARCH MADNESS AT SOCIAL SECURITY

Basketball fans are gearing up for March Madness, which will culminate when the final four teams in the NCAA fight for the title of national champion. While basketball fans are excited about March Madness, Social Security already has its own winning “final four” to help you this season.

1.  My Social Security is an online account that allows you quick and secure access to your personal Social Security information. During your working years, once you create your online account, you can use my Social Security to obtain a copy of your Social Security Statement; verify your earnings record; and see estimates of the future retirement, disability, and survivor benefits you and your family may receive.

If you already receive Social Security benefits, you can sign into your account to view, save, and print your benefit verification letter; check your benefit payment information; request a replacement Medicare card; get a replacement SSA-1099/1042S for tax season; and even change your address and phone number in our records. You can also start or change your direct deposit information. In some states and the District of Columbia, you may also be able to request a replacement Social Security card online. Check it out at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.

2.  It is important to sign up for Medicare Part B when you turn 65. Enrollment begins January 1 and ends March 31. Medicare Part B covers two types of services: medically necessary services — services or supplies that are needed to diagnose or treat your medical condition and that meet accepted standards of medical practices. Medicare Part B also covers preventive services — healthcare to prevent illness (like the flu) or detect it at an early stage when treatment is most likely to work best. You can avoid the penalty you must pay for not signing up during the enrollment period by signing up for Medicare Part B when you turn 65 at www.socialsecurity.gov/medicare.

3.  Two of the primary ways we assist people are with disability benefits and survivors benefits. Disability is something most people don’t like to think about, but the chances that you’ll become disabled are probably greater than you realize. The loss of a key family wage earner can be devastating both emotionally and financially. Learn more about how we assist millions of people each year at www.socialsecurity.gov/disabilityssi and www.socialsecurity.gov/survivors.

4.  At www.socialsecurity.gov/retire you’ll find retirement planners, ways to estimate your potential benefits and your full retirement age, as well as other helpful resources. When you are ready to retire, apply for benefits online in as little as 15 minutes at www.socialsecurity.gov.

FILING TAXES JUST GOT (A LITTLE BIT) EASIER

Now that it’s March, your annual tax filing deadline is fast approaching. If you receive Social Security benefits, one of the documents you need to file your federal income tax return is your Social Security Benefit Statement (Form SSA-1099/1042S).

Your Social Security benefits may be taxable. This includes monthly retirement, survivor, and disability benefits. About one-third of people receiving Social Security benefits must pay taxes on some of these benefits, depending on the amount of their taxable income. This usually happens if you have other substantial income — such as wages, self-employment, interest, dividends, and other taxable income that must be reported on your tax return — in addition to your Social Security benefits. You will never have to pay taxes on more than 85 percent of your Social Security benefits, based on Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rules.

To find out if you must pay taxes on your benefits, you will need your Social Security Benefit Statement (Form SSA-1099/1042S). You should automatically receive it in the mail each January. It shows the total amount of benefits you received from Social Security in the previous year so you know how much Social Security income to report to the IRS on your tax return. The benefit statement is not available for people who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), as SSI payments are not taxable.

Whether you file your taxes early or wait until the deadline, Social Security makes it easy to obtain a replacement benefit statement if you didn’t receive one or misplaced it. You can get an instant replacement easily by using your secure online my Social Security account. If you don’t already have an account, you can create one in minutes. Follow the link below to the my  Social Security page, and select “Sign In or Create an Account.” Once you are logged in, select the “Replacement Documents” tab to obtain your replacement 1099 or 1042S benefit statement. You can also use your personal my Social Security account to keep track of your earnings each year, manage your benefits, and more.

You can also obtain a replacement benefit statement by calling us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., or by contacting your local Social Security Office. If you live outside of the United States, please contact your nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.  But by going online you can print your replacement benefit statement immediately and not have to wait to receive it in the mail.
With a my Social Security account, gathering your Social Security information for tax season has never been easier. Open your own personal my Social Security account today at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.