Category: Social Security

fraud, FYI, Money and Finances, Safety, Social Security, Tips

Beware of False Social Security and Medicare Advertisements

By Vonda Vantil, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist Scammers have become more aggressive and sophisticated in the digital age. With millions of people relying on Social Security and Medicare, scammers target audiences who are looking for legitimate program and benefit information. Scammers sometimes try to scare people into giving out their personal information. Never give someone who called you any personal information unless you absolutely … Continue reading Beware of False Social Security and Medicare Advertisements

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Elder Law of Michigan, Medicare/Medicaid, Social Security

Medicare, A Simple Explanation

By Vonda Vantil, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist Social Security and Medicare are both programs that are household names, but do you know the true difference? Both programs help safeguard millions of Americans as well as improve the quality of life for their family and friends. While Social Security offers retirement, disability, and survivors benefits, Medicare provides health insurance. Medicare is our country’s health insurance … Continue reading Medicare, A Simple Explanation

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Elder Law of Michigan, Money and Finances, Planning for the Future, Retirement, seniors, Social Security

Your Earnings Record is Both Your Financial History and Your Financial Future

By Vonda Vantil, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist Social Security is an earned benefit. Your earnings history is a record of your progress toward your benefits. Social Security keeps track of your earnings so we can pay you the benefits you’ve earned over your lifetime. This is why reviewing your Social Security earnings record is so important. If an employer didn’t properly report just one … Continue reading Your Earnings Record is Both Your Financial History and Your Financial Future

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Elder Law of Michigan, Planning for the Future, Social Security

Back to School with Social Security

By Vonda Vantil, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist It typically takes people a lifetime of planning to reach their retirement goals. The earlier young workers know about saving for their future, the better chance they’ll have at achieving a comfortable retirement. This is why Social Security has created a resource specifically for teachers and students. Our Information for Educators page contains a toolkit with information … Continue reading Back to School with Social Security

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Elder Abuse, fraud, seniors, Social Security, Technology

Scams Come in Many Different Forms

By Vonda Vantil, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist Social Security is at the forefront of keeping your online data secure, but you play a vital role in safeguarding your personal information too. Scammers commonly target people who are looking for Social Security program and benefit information. You might receive an advertisement in the mail, but it could be from a private company or even a … Continue reading Scams Come in Many Different Forms

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Retirement, seniors, Social Security

Social Security Terms in Plain Language

By Vonda Vantil, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist Some of the terms and acronyms (an abbreviation of the first letters of words in a phrase) people use when they talk about Social Security can be a little confusing. We’re here to help you understand all you need to know. Social Security employees strive to explain benefits using easy-to-understand, plain language. In fact, The Plain Writing … Continue reading Social Security Terms in Plain Language

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Disability, seniors, Social Security

Social Security’s Definition of Disability

By Vonda Vantil, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist This month marks the 29th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush on July 26, 1990. Disability affects millions of Americans. It can inhibit peoples’ quality of life and their ability earn a living. Social Security is here to help you and your family, but there are … Continue reading Social Security’s Definition of Disability

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A question mark drawn in white chalk on a blackboard.
Disability, FYI, Health, medical, Medicare/Medicaid, Money and Finances, Planning for the Future, Retirement, senior independence, seniors, Social Security, SSI, veterans

Social Security Q&A Part 21

By Vonda VanTil, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist Question: What is substantial gainful activity (SGA)? Answer: We use the term “substantial gainful activity,” or “SGA,” to describe a level of work activity and earnings. Work is “substantial” if it involves doing significant physical or mental activities or a combination of both. If you earn more than a certain amount and are doing productive work, we … Continue reading Social Security Q&A Part 21

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Social Security

Social Security Can Help If You’re Young and Lose a Parent

By Vonda Vantil, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist For young people whose parent passes away, Social Security is here. Losing a parent is both emotionally painful and, often times, devastating to a family’s finances. In the same way that Social Security helps to lift up the disabled and seniors when they need it, we support families when an income-earning parent dies. You should let Social … Continue reading Social Security Can Help If You’re Young and Lose a Parent

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Disability, divorce, FYI, Money and Finances, Planning for the Future, Retirement, seniors, Social Security

Understanding Social Security Benefits

By Vonda VanTil, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist Social Security touches the lives of nearly every American, whether at the birth of a child, the loss of a loved one, the onset of a disability, or the transition from work to retirement. For more than 80 years, our programs have contributed to the financial security of the elderly and the disabled. Social Security replaces a … Continue reading Understanding Social Security Benefits

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