50+ Lifestyles

YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY Rock Island, Illinois Office

By Cristina Vital
Social Security Manager
Rock Island Social Security Office

YOU CAN STILL FILE AND SUSPEND, EVEN WITH THESE CHANGES

You probably heard that changes in the law now affect the way you file for certain benefits. These changes place limits on when voluntary suspension and reinstatement can begin for you and your family members who might also be entitled to benefits on that record. This is not the demise of “file and suspend.” It’s still one of your best tools for boosting your Social Security benefit after you reach your full retirement age.

The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 made changes to the Social Security claims filed by married couples. The law affected an unintended loophole primarily used by married couples to gain more money.

If you’re full retirement age or older and apply for Social Security retirement benefits, you can suspend your benefits for any amount of time up to age 70. You may do this to earn “delayed retirement credits,” which result in a higher benefit payment when you turn 70 or when you request reinstatement of benefits, whichever comes first.
Under the new law, when you submit a request to suspend your benefits to earn delayed retirement credits on or after April 30, 2016, you will no longer be able to receive spouse’s or widow(er)’s benefits during this voluntary delay period. In addition, if you suspend your benefit, any benefits payable to your spouse and children on your record (except for a divorced spouse) will also be suspended for the same time period.

There is an exception. A request for voluntary suspension will not suspend a divorced spouse’s benefit. Also, your divorced spouse can receive benefits on your record during this voluntary delay period.

Remember, you can still plan and make the most of your retirement benefit by filing and suspending. These new rules don’t prevent you from doing what’s best for you and your family. We have a wealth of retirement information at www.socialsecurity.gov/planners/retire.

For more information and answers to your questions about these changes in the law, please go to our website at
www.socialsecurity.gov/planners/retire/claiming.html.

A FAITHFUL COMPANION WITH YOU THROUGH LIFE’S JOURNEY

Enjoying the independence that we have as Americans is a privilege we’ve earned, together. It took the sacrifice of millions of entrepreneurs and Service men and women, nurses and caregivers. You’ve done your job in making this nation what it is today: proud, strong, and secure.

For more than 80 years, Social Security has been doing the same. We’re with you through life’s journey, from birth to retirement and beyond. And one of the best tools we provide every American is my Social Security, our secure online resource customized for you.

All your hard work is recorded at my Social Security. There, you can:

• Keep track of your earnings and verify them every year;
• 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.

It doesn’t matter if you’ve worked one year or forty,, checking on your personalized account at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount gives you control over your future.
We understand that you might lose things from time to time. In some states, you can even request a replacement Social Security card online using my Social Security. It’s an easy, convenient, and secure way to request a replacement card. We are working to add more states to this service, so we encourage you to check www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber to see where it is available.

In addition to using my Social Security, there are many other things you can do online with Social Security. For example, you can use the Retirement Estimator to plug in different numbers, retirement dates, and scenarios to help you decide the best time for you to retire. It’s available at www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator.

We’ve been with you and your loved ones for a long time — more than 80 years. The journey you’re making to financial independence isn’t one you have to make alone. Join the millions of people who are strengthening their future at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.