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No need
to hang up the cape
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[December 29, 2011]
Some
of the strongest and most youthful superheroes to jump from the
pages of comic books to the silver screen in recent years are old
enough to be receiving full Social Security retirement benefits.
Whether standing before the bat-computer or going online at the
fortress of solitude, these guys were certainly wise enough to apply
for retirement benefits at
www.socialsecurity.gov.
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Superman may be America’s most
popular superhero, and also the oldest to hit the screen in recent
years. The man of steel was created in 1932. The guy’s 79 years old
and he has a new movie coming out in 2012. Superman does mostly
volunteer work, but even if he earns wages as Clark Kent, his
benefits won’t be offset since he reached his full retirement age.
Batman made his debut in 1939,
and he’s about to star in another feature film, running around like
a 30-year-old. Also in his 70s, Mr. Wayne is getting full retirement
benefits — and Robin too. The same can’t be said for the Joker or
Penguin; you can’t collect benefits while you’re in prison.
The Green Lantern and
Captain America made their silver screen debuts this year. They were
“born” in 1940 and 1941, and also are of retirement age. One would
expect Captain America to look a little more like Uncle Sam these
days, but as is true with many Social Security retirees today,
staying active keeps him young.
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For the “silver age” of comic
book heroes, retirement isn’t quite here yet. Spider-Man slung his
first web in 1962, the same year the incredible Hulk burst into
being. Iron Man and the X-Men first appeared in 1963. They may not
be ready to retire just yet, but it’s a good time for them to take a
look at the online Retirement Estimator, where they can get
an instant, personalized estimate of future retirement benefits.
Come to think of it, if the Hulk or any of the X-Men ever get
severely injured, they may qualify for disability benefits through
Social Security. The place to go for more information is
www.socialsecurity.gov.
Ask any of these
superheroes about retirement plans, and you’re likely to get an
earful. They won’t be sitting around — they’ll be staying active
even as they collect retirement benefits. You don’t have to have a
bat-computer or be a superhero to harness the power of the
Retirement Estimator at
www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator,
or to apply online for benefits at
www.socialsecurity.gov.
Up, up, and away into an active retirement!
By Judith Bartels
Social Security District
Manager in Springfield, IL |
