sponsored by Friendship Manor

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Social Security and public service 

[April 29, 2011]  Public Service Recognition Week takes place from May 1 to May 7, 2011. We at Social Security appreciate the hard work and dedication of not only our own employees but all people who serve the American public.

Celebrated the first week of May since 1985, Public Service Recognition Week is a nationwide public education campaign honoring the men and women who serve our nation as Federal, State, county and local government employees — such as school teachers, police officers, and fire fighters — and who ensure that our government is the best in the world. (Click here for the rest of the story)

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April questions and answers from Social Security

[April 29, 2011]  The following are the questions and answers for the month of April from the Social Security Administration.

Question:

Do I need a Social Security card? I want to get a summer job and my dad can’t find my card.

Answer:

If you know your number, you probably don’t need to get a card. If you find out that you do need a replacement card, you can download and complete the application for a replacement at our website. Then, take or mail the application to your local Social Security office with the required documentation. The web address is www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber. If you do get a replacement card or find the original, you shouldn’t carry it with you. Keep it in a safe place with your other important papers. (Click here for the rest of the story)

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Take control and avoid diabetes complications

[April 29, 2011]  (ARA) - Changing health behaviors is vital for the nearly 26 million Americans with diabetes and the 79 million American adults with pre-diabetes. That's because improperly managed diabetes can bring serious complications, including heart disease or stroke, kidney disease, nerve damage, vision loss or amputation. (Click here for the rest of the story)

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When and how to tap tax-deferred retirement plans

[April 29, 2011]  URBANA – If you have money in an IRA, a 401(k), or any other type of retirement plan, University of Illinois Certified Financial Planner Karen Chan says you should know the basic rules about taking money out of those accounts. If you don’t, you might pay penalties that could have been avoided. (Click here for the rest of the story)

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Survivors benefits explained  

[April 29, 2011]  The loss of a loved one can be painful. The death of a wage earner upon whom a family depends also can be financially devastating.

If you’re like most young or middle-aged workers, you probably think of Social Security only as a retirement program. But some of the Social Security taxes you pay go toward providing survivors insurance for workers and their families. Think of it as a life insurance policy you never knew you had — paid for by the same taxes that cover you for retirement or disability. (Click here for the rest of the story)

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Treatments can help those with diabetic nerve pain in hands and feet

[April 29, 2011] (ARA) - In the United States alone 25.8 million children and adults have diabetes. About 25 percent of those with diabetes have pain and numbness from nerve damage which can be disruptive to living a normal life. The good news is new treatments and strategies can help eliminate this pain today and in the future. (Click here for the rest of the story)

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Scams are no joking matter; don't become an April fool

[April 29, 2011]  Being the butt of an April fool’s joke is fine when it’s good-natured fun. But no one wants to fall victim to a scam artist or identity thief.

You may think you’re safe simply by not carrying your Social Security card with you and not providing your personal information over the Internet or by email. But scam artists have become shrewd.  Never reply to an email claiming to be from Social Security and asking for your Social Security number or personal information. (Click here for the rest of the story)

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What if the Government Took Over Baseball (satire)

By Mike Fak

[April 29, 2011]  Well baseball season is upon us and that always warms my heart. More importantly, baseball season means the weather will also start warming my feet which have been frozen for the past 3 months. Barry Bonds court case is in the sports news of course. The reason Bonds is in court is because he lied to a federal grand jury. It seems with all the mess in Washington these days, the feds still have time to try and clean up baseball rather than use the broom on their own bureaucratic dirt. (Click here for the rest of the story)

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As inflation worries rise, act now for retirement security

[April 29, 2011]  (ARA) - Americans are worried what inflation might do to their retirement finances. According to a recent Thrivent Financial for Lutherans survey of 2,000 American adults, 93 percent of all respondents reported they worried at least "a little" about inflation's impact on their retirement finances, and a majority, 53 percent, said they worried "a lot."  (Click here for the rest of the story)

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

[April 29, 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 29, 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 29, 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 29, 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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Archived articles

Archived articles