Social
Security's final four
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[June 28, 2011]
This
time of year basketball fans are gearing up for March Madness -- a
time 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 a winning “final four” of
online services to cheer about: the Retirement Estimator,
Benefit Application, online Extra Help application, and
Business Services Online.
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- The Retirement
Estimator is an easy way to get an instant, personalized
estimate of your future Social Security benefits. Just key in
some basic information and the Estimator will use
information on your Social Security record, along with what you
input, to give you a benefit estimate on the spot. You even can
experiment with different scenarios, such as changing your
future earnings and retirement date. Check it out in English at
www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator
or in Spanish at
www.segurosocial.gov/calculador.
- The Benefit
Application is the most convenient way to apply for
Social Security retirement benefits. You can apply from the
comfort of your home — it’s fast, easy, and secure. It’s so
easy, in fact, that it can take you as little as 15 minutes to
apply online. In most cases, once your application is submitted
electronically, you’re done. There are no forms to sign and
usually no documentation is required. Social Security will
process your application and contact you if any further
information is needed. Try it out when you’re ready to retire at
www.socialsecurity.gov/applyonline.
- The online Extra
Help application is an easy way to save about $4,000 a
year on your prescription drug costs. To qualify for the
Extra Help, you must be on Medicare, have limited income and
resources, and live in one of the 50 states or the District of
Columbia. Learn more about it at
www.socialsecurity.gov/prescriptionhelp.
- Business
Services Online is our one-stop shop for small
businesses. The site allows organizations and authorized
individuals to conduct business with and submit confidential
information to Social Security. You even can use it to file your
W-2s the fast, convenient, and paperless way — online. Visit
Business Services Online at
www.socialsecurity.gov/bso.
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In the American Customer
Satisfaction Index, Social Security received the highest ratings in
both the public and private sectors.
To learn more about our
winning services, visit
www.socialsecurity.gov/onlineservices.
Or, read our publication What You Can Do Online at
www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10121.html.
Get to know our final four,
and all of our online services. When you do, you will be the
winner.
By Judith Bartels
Social Security District
Manager in Springfield, IL
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