By: Vonda VanTil, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist
Spring is upon us, and it marks two very popular annual events: Mother’s Day and the release of Social Security’s baby name list! There’s no better time to share some security with the people you love.
While spending time with your mom on Sunday, May 13, you can help her quickly and easily sign up for a free, online my Social Security account. You can do it from home, which means more time doing the things you want to do together.
Signing up for a my Social Security account will give Mom the tools she needs to stay on top of her Social Security benefits. When she signs up at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount, she can do a number of things.
If she does not receive benefits, she can:
- Request a replacement Social Security card if she meets certain requirements;
- Check the status of her application or appeal.
- Get her Social Security Statement, to review:
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- Estimates of her future retirement, disability, and survivors benefits;
- Her earnings once a year to verify the amounts that we posted are correct; and
- The estimated Social Security and Medicare taxes she’s paid.
If she does receive benefits, she can:
- Request a replacement Social Security card if she meets certain requirements;
- Report her wages if she works and receives Disability Insurance benefits;
- Get her benefit verification letter;
- Check her benefit and payment information and her earnings record;
- Change her address and phone number;
- Start or change direct deposit of her benefit payment;
- Request a replacement Medicare card; and
- Get a replacement SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S for tax season.
Is Mom not yet receiving Social Security benefits and still planning her retirement? Does she need a little help calculating how her benefit amount fits in with her other income sources in retirement? It’s easy to get instant, personalized benefit estimates, too. Our Retirement Estimator is the only source that provides Mom with Social Security estimates based on her own earnings record. This allows her to receive the most accurate estimate of her future retirement benefits. Visit the Retirement Estimator at www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator.
Sharing information about Social Security and helping Mom sign up for a my Social Security account at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount is a meaningful gift that shows you really care.
Vonda VanTil is the Public Affairs Specialist for West Michigan. You can write her c/o Social Security Administration, 3045 Knapp NE, Grand Rapids MI 49525 or via email at vonda.vantil@ssa.gov