Elder Law of Michigan

Social Security Q&A Part 45

By Hillary Hatch, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist

Questions and Answers

Question:

I usually get my benefit payment on the third of the month. But what if the third falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday? Will my payment be late?

Answer:

Just the opposite. Your payment should arrive early. For example, if you usually get your payment on the third of a month, but it falls on a weekend or legal holiday, we will send payments on the business day prior to the due date. You can find the payment schedules at www.ssa.gov/pubs/calendar.htm. Any time you don’t receive a payment, be sure to wait 3 days before calling to report it missing. To ensure that your payments go to the right place, create a personal my Social Security account. There, you can verify and manage your benefits without calling or visiting an office. Please visit www.ssa.gov/myaccount to create your account.

Question:

I am receiving Social Security retirement benefits and I recently went back to work. Do I have to pay Social Security (FICA) taxes on my income?

Answer:

Yes. By law, your employer must withhold FICA taxes from your paycheck. Although you are retired, you do receive credit for those new earnings. Each year Social Security automatically credits the new earnings and, if your new earnings are higher than in any earlier year used to calculate your current benefit, your monthly benefit could increase. For more information, visit www.ssa.gov or call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).

Question:

My child, who gets Social Security, will be attending his last year of high school in the fall. He turns 19 in a few months. Do I need to fill out a form for his benefits to continue?

Answer:

Yes. You should receive a form, SSA-1372-BK, in the mail about three months before your son’s birthday. Your son needs to complete the form and take it to his school’s office for certification. Then, you need to return page two and the certified page three back to Social Security for processing. If you can’t find the form we mailed to you, you can find it online at: www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-1372.pdf.  

Question:

How do I change my citizenship status on Social Security’s records?

Answer:

To change your citizenship status shown in Social Security records:

  • Complete an application for a Social Security card (Form SS-5), which you can find online at www.ssa.gov/online/ss-5.html.
  • Provide documents proving your:
    • New or revised citizenship status (We can only accept certain documents as proof of citizenship. These include your U.S. passport, a Certificate of Naturalization, or a Certificate of Citizenship. If you are not a U.S. citizen, Social Security will ask to see your current immigration documents).
    • Age.
    • Identity.
  • Next, take (or mail) your completed application and documents to your local Social Security office.

All documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents. For more information, visit www.ssa.gov/ssnumber.

Hillary Hatch 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 hillary.hatch@ssa.gov