Social Security Column<\/p>\n
By Erin Thompson
\nSocial Security Public Affairs Specialist in Toledo, OH<\/p>\n
We are excited to celebrate a significant milestone for my <\/em>Social Security: 60 million registrations!\u00a0 We thank each of you who took the time to create a personal my <\/em>Social Security account \u2013 and encouraged others to do the same.\u00a0 We keep improving our online services to make doing business with us easier, faster, and more accessible.<\/p>\n If you are receiving benefits, you can use your personal my <\/em>Social Security account, to:<\/p>\n If you aren\u2019t currently receiving benefits, you can:<\/p>\n In most states, you can also request a replacement Social Security card online, although often you only need to know your Social Security number and you do not need the physical card. \u00a0See everything you can do with a personal my <\/em>Social Security account, and open one today at www.ssa.gov\/myaccount<\/a>.<\/p>\n Please help us share this information about my <\/em>Social Security with friends and family.\u00a0 You can also post it on social media to help us spread the word.<\/p>\n Sign up for Medicare Part B Online<\/strong><\/p>\n You can sign up for Medicare Part B online!\u00a0 If you\u2019re enrolled in Medicare Part A and want to enroll in Part B during the Special Enrollment Period, please visit our Medicare web page at www.ssa.gov\/benefits\/medicare\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n From there, you can enroll in Part B by completing these forms: \u00a0CMS-40B (Application for Enrollment in Medicare \u2013 Part B [Medical Insurance])<\/em> and CMS-L564 (Request for Employment Information)<\/em>.<\/p>\n You can also fax or mail the CMS-40B and CMS-L564 to your local Social Security office to enroll.\u00a0 You can find the fax number and address for your local office at www.ssa.gov\/locator<\/a>.\u00a0 Please contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213<\/strong> (TTY<\/strong> 1-800-325-0778<\/strong>) if you have any questions. \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0Note:<\/strong>\u00a0 When completing the forms:<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>Please let your friends and loved ones know about this online, mail, or fax option.<\/p>\n Social Security Supports Small Businesses<\/strong><\/p>\n The COVID-19 pandemic has been testing small businesses.\u00a0 Running a small business can be a 24-7 endeavor.\u00a0 Managing employees, inventory, scheduling, services, and marketing can be challenging even in normal times.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re a small business owner, or you work for one, our online suite of services can help make your life easier.\u00a0 Our business services allow you to file W-2\/W-2Cs online and verify your employees\u2019 names and Social Security numbers against our records.<\/p>\n Our online services at www.ssa.gov\/employer<\/a> will save you valuable time when you need information on filing electronic W-2s and verifying Social Security numbers.<\/p>\n Small business owners can also take advantage of our Business Services Online at www.ssa.gov\/bso\/bsowelcome.htm<\/a>.\u00a0 You must register to use this free service, which also offers fast and secure online W-2 filing options to Certified Public Accountants, enrolled agents, and individuals who process W-2s and W-2Cs.<\/p>\n For more information about electronic wage reporting, please read our publication at www.ssa.gov\/pubs\/EN-05-10034.pdf<\/a>.<\/p>\n Understanding Social Security Spouses\u2019 Benefits<\/strong><\/p>\n Did you know y<\/strong>our spouse\u2019s benefit amount could be up to 50% of your spouse\u2019s full retirement age benefit amount? \u00a0If you qualify for a retirement benefit from your own work history and a spouse\u2019s record, we always pay your own benefit first. \u00a0You cannot receive spouse\u2019s benefits unless your spouse is receiving their retirement benefits (except for divorced spouses).<\/p>\n If you receive your retirement benefit before your full retirement age, while waiting for your spouse to reach full retirement age, your own retirement portion will be reduced.\u00a0 When you add your spouse\u2019s benefits later, the total retirement and spouse\u2019s benefit together will be no more than 50% of the worker\u2019s amount. \u00a0You can find out more about this at www.ssa.gov\/benefits\/retirement\/planner\/applying7.html<\/a>.<\/p>\n Knowing about these benefits can help you plan your financial future.\u00a0 Access a wealth of useful information on our retirement portal at www.ssa.gov\/benefits\/retirement<\/a>.<\/p>\n Need a Standardized Benefit Verification Letter? Get It Online<\/strong><\/p>\n If you need a Benefit Verification letter, sometimes called a \u201cproof of income letter,\u201d we have good news for you!\u00a0 \u00a0Your Benefit Verification letter is available online when you need proof of Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income, or Medicare.<\/p>\n In addition to your name, date of birth, and the benefits received, your Benefit Verification letter includes other identifiers to prevent misuse and fraud. \u00a0This is an added benefit to you as proof of income for loans, housing assistance, mortgage, and other verification purposes.<\/p>\n The same letter is also available if you need proof that you do not receive benefits, or proof that benefits are pending.\u00a0 If you are an individual representative payee, you can use the my Social Security Representative Payee portal to access the Benefit Verification letter online for your beneficiaries.<\/p>\n\n
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