On-Line Social Security Statements

We explained here last May that the Social Security Administration (SSA) was no longer sending annual hard-copy statements to everyone who has paid into the system (and, instead, limiting annual statements to people approaching retirement age). But SSA was making everyone's social security information available on-line through a password-protected site. It's really quite good. Go here to sign up. There, you get . . .

• Estimates of the retirement and disability benefits you may receive;
• Estimates of benefits your family may get when you receive Social Security or die;
• A list of your lifetime earnings according to Social Security’s records;
• The estimated Social Security and Medicare taxes you’ve paid;
• Information about qualifying and signing up for Medicare;
• Things to consider for those age 55 and older who are thinking of retiring;
• General information about Social Security for everyone;
• The opportunity to apply online for retirement and disability benefits; and
• A printable version of your Social Security Statement.

You can also sign up to get an annual e-mail reminder to check your account -- the rough equivalent for those with on-line accounts of getting an annual statement in the mail (in one sense a little better because there's more info on-line than what's provided in the mailed notices). But there are at least two downsides to the on-line system: (1) you need to set up an on-line account and check it, which is not the same as getting something in the mail without lifting a finger; and (2) it's useless for people who don't use or have access to the Internet. (Another possible downside is that perhaps the system is not as secure as it should be.)

Comments

[Troutman & Troutman, P.C.]

o As doctors and researchers learn more about psychological and emotional issues, health providers and even government entities are beginning to recognize the seriousness and complexities of these conditions. It is important to note, however, that alcohol and other substance use can severely negatively impact a person’s changes of gaining benefits for a mental or emotional condition. I tell my clients it is important to understand how the SSA makes its decisions and why before beginning the application process.

[George]

A third problem - you have to give your "primary" phone number. It didn't like the one I've had for 12 years at my house, or my cell phone number.

On the second try, I left the phone number blank and continued to a page that wanted to know when my house was built, as well as what car I drove, and then went to a page that said the service was down.

If they make it difficult enough, no one will bother, and they can do what they want.