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June questions and answers from Social Security
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[October 12, 2011]
Question:
Is it true I must now receive my benefits through direct
deposit?
Answer:
Anyone applying for benefits on or after May 1, 2011, will be
required to receive their payments electronically, while those
already receiving paper checks will need to switch by March 1, 2013. |
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Paper checks will no longer be an option for most people. If
you don’t have a bank account, you can get your benefits through the
Direct Express debit Mastercard. Switching from checks to electronic
payments is fast, easy, and free at
www.godirect.org. You also can call the U.S. Treasury Processing
Center’s toll-free helpline at 1-800-333-1795 or speak with a bank
or credit union representative or contact Social Security for help.
Question:
I’m getting a summer job and I can’t find my Social Security
card. Do I need to get a new one?
Answer:
Ask your potential employer if he or she needs to see the card or
if just the number is required. Knowing your number is usually what
is important. If you do need to get a replacement card, come to your
local Social Security office or Social Security Card Center and show
us documents proving your identity and, possibly, citizenship. You
can go to
www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber for more specific
information about the process of getting a new card and where to
take your information. At that website, you can also download a copy
of the simple application to have pre-filled when you visit.
RETIREMENT
Question:
How do I know when it’s the right time for me to begin getting
retirement benefits?
Answer:
If you use our online Retirement Estimator, you can get
estimates of your benefit at various ages from age 62, the earliest
eligibility age, to age 70, the age when you can take full advantage
of delayed retirement credits. It allows you to key in a multiple
scenarios so you can get an instant, personalized estimate of your
future retirement benefits. It’s the best way to begin planning for
your retirement. You can find the online Retirement Estimator
at
www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator.
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Question:
What is the benefit amount a spouse may be entitled to receive?
Answer:
If you are eligible for both your own retirement benefit and for
benefits as a spouse, we will always pay you benefits based on your
record first. If your benefit as a spouse is higher than your
retirement benefit, you will receive a combination of benefits
equaling the higher spouse's benefits. A spouse generally receives
one-half of the retired worker's full benefit unless the spouse
begins collecting benefits before full retirement age. If the spouse
begins collecting benefits before full retirement age, the amount of
the spouse's benefit is reduced by a percentage based on the number
of months before he or she reaches full retirement age. For
example, based on the full retirement age of 66, if a spouse begins
collecting benefits:
- At age 65, the benefit amount would be
about 46 percent of the retired worker's full benefit;
- At age 64, it would be about 42 percent;
- At age 63, 37.5 percent; and
- At age 62, 35 percent.
However, if a spouse is taking care of a child who is either
under age 16 or disabled and receives Social Security benefits on
the same record, a spouse will get full benefits, regardless of
age. Learn more by reading our Retirement publication at
www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10035.html.
By Judith Bartels
Social Security District
Manager in Springfield, IL
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