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George Takei and Patty Duke Join Forces to Tell Americans to Boldly Go to www.socialsecurity.gov

[April 08, 2011]  Entertainment icons George Takei and Patty Duke have teamed up to tell Americans to Boldly Go to www.socialsecurity.gov to apply for retirement, disability, Medicare, and so much more.  The two celebrities are joining forces in a new campaign to help the Social Security Administration promote its online services as an easy and secure way for people to do business with the agency. (Click here for the rest of the story)

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Dept on Aging Director leads initiative to encourage interaction among generations

[April 08, 2011]  SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Department on Aging (IDoA) Director Charles D. Johnson convened the fourth Senate Forum on Intergenerational Leadership April 5. The purpose of the daylong forum is to emphasize the importance of generations working together to promote a world class education system. Director Johnson was joined by George Reid, Executive Director of the Illinois Board of Higher Education, to explain how generations working together can benefit communities. The focus of the intergenerational leadership forum was to discuss literacy and promote student success in reading. (Click here for the rest of the story)

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Class is in session with Social Security webinars 

[April 08, 2011]  You’ve probably been on the web, and it’s likely that you’ve attended a seminar. But have you ever attended a “webinar?” We recommend that you do. 

Social Security offers a selection of webinars at www.socialsecurity.gov/webinars. Class is always in session — past webinars are available for you to view at any time. The information can be valuable, but the cost is free. (Click here for the rest of the story)

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Fast Medicare coverage even when you're not retired 

[April 08, 2011]  You’ve made your decision: although you’re eligible to collect Social Security payments, you’re going to keep working and delay receiving your retirement benefits. (Click here for the rest of the story) 

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Tax season: A great time to conduct a retirement checkup

[April 08, 2011]  (ARA) -Every year there are routine obligations to fulfill - visiting the doctor for a checkup, doing your taxes, seeing a dentist. But is evaluating your retirement plan one of those annual rituals? For many, a lack of proactive planning will only lead to added stress. (Click here for the rest of the story)

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What women should know about Social

 Security 
 

[April 08, 2011]  While the Social Security program treats all workers — men and women — exactly the same in terms of the benefits they can receive, women need to know what the program means to them in their particular circumstances. Understanding the benefits to which they may be entitled may mean the difference between living more comfortably versus just getting by in their later retirement years. (Click here for the rest of the story)

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Wireless hearing aids? How technology continues to improve our lives

[April 08, 2011]  (ARA) - "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic," wrote physicist and science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke. Imagine what our ancestors, who relied on telegraphs or landline telephones, would make of today's wireless communications technology. (Click here for the rest of the story)

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Figuring out retirement 

[April 08, 2011]  For almost every American worker, Social Security is “part of the plan” for a secure retirement. If you are among the roughly 95 percent of workers in the United States who are covered under Social Security, here’s a primer on retirement coverage. (Click here for the rest of the story)

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Area Agency on Aging for Lincolnland

Announces Program for Family Caregivers 
 

[April 08, 2011]  Springfield - The Area Agency on Aging for Lincolnland, in cooperation with Senior Citizens of Logan County, has scheduled a Lunch and Learn program for informal caregivers of older adults and grandparents and other relatives raising children.  It will be held at the Oasis Senior Center, 501 Pulaski Street, Lincoln, on Wednesday, March 30, from noon to 1:00 p.m. (Click here for the rest of the story)

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Lower your risk with heart healthy habits

[April 08, 2011]  ARA --The Centers for Disease Control reports that more than one quarter of all deaths are caused by heart disease alone. However, despite its often-deadly effects, heart disease does not have the high profile of cancer, AIDS and other terminal diseases. This means that many people with heart disease either do not realize they have the condition, or do not seek treatment for early warning signs. While many think that heart disease primarily affects men or the elderly, women are just as likely to suffer from heart disease as men. In fact, approximately 10 percent of women age 45-64 suffer from the disease. (Click here for the rest of the story)

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Questions and Answers from Social Security

[April 08, 2011]  Question: My neighbor said my kids, 4 and 12, might be eligible for survivors’ benefits since their mother died. Are they?

Answer:

If their mother worked and earned the required number of Social Security credits, both you and your children may be eligible for benefits. Apply promptly for survivors benefits because benefits are generally retroactive only up to six months. You can apply by calling Social Security's toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213. (Click here for the rest of the story)

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How you can avoid falling victim to the second-most-deadly cancer

[April 08, 2011]  ARA --A new survey shows 72 percent of Americans polled are not aware that colon cancer is the second most deadly cancer in the U.S.

 Colonoscopy. That simple word can make the bravest people cringe. Yet it's a routine procedure that could help save the lives of the 150,000 men and women diagnosed with colon cancer in the U.S. each year. (Click here for the rest of the story)

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Your March to-do list

[April 08, 2011]  It’s spring cleaning season! There’s no better time than now to start organizing, and getting important tasks cleared off your list of important things to do. Social Security would like to share a suggested “March To-Do List” with you. 
(Click here for the rest of the story)

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State Agencies Offer llinois Families Extra Help Again This Tax Season

[April 08, 2011]  CHICAGO – March 8, 2011. The Illinois Departments of Revenue (IDOR), Human Services (IDHS) and Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) urge Illinois families to take advantage of tax preparation assistance and easy filing options available at www.tax.illinois.gov. By filing their state taxes electronically, families can get their entire refund quickly and for free, avoiding high-interest refund anticipation loans offered by many commercial tax preparation companies. Low and moderate-income families can take advantage of several tax assistance services offered in conjunction with the State of Illinois. (Click here for the rest of the story)  

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What you can do to speed up your disability application 

[April 08, 2011]  If your disabling condition is preventing you from continuing to work, you may want to apply for disability benefits through Social Security. In most cases, doing so involves a thorough process of determining your eligibility, medical condition, and ability to work. Because we look so carefully at so many cases — more than three million each year — it can take us three to five months to determine whether you are eligible. (Click here for the rest of the story) 

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