By Vonda Van Til, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist In November, we show gratitude for the many things we are thankful for throughout the year. Family usually tops the list. The strong women in our lives are one of the central figures we appreciate. More women in the 21st century work, pay Social Security taxes, and earn credit toward monthly retirement income than at any other … Continue reading Social Security is Important for Women

By Vonda Van Til, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist Understanding how your future retirement might affect your spouse is important.  Here are a few things to remember when you’re planning for your retirement. Your spouse’s benefit amount could be up to 50 percent of your full retirement age benefit amount. If you qualify for a benefit from your own work history and a spouse’s record, we … Continue reading Social Security Spouse’s Benefits Explained

By Vonda Van Til, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist If you need to replace your lost or misplaced Social Security card, our online application makes getting a replacement card easier than ever.   Requesting a card replacement online is available if you live in the District of Columbia or one of the 45 states that can verify state ID information for us. If you’re only requesting … Continue reading How to Replace a Missing Social Security Card Online

By Vonda Van Til, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist There are many online resources about Social Security, so it is important that you come to us as the first place for answers.  You can find many of the answers about our programs and services on our Frequently Asked Questions page at faq.ssa.gov.  We feature our most-asked questions at the top of the page to help … Continue reading Social Security Program Experts Can Answer Your Important Questions

By Vonda Van Til, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for approximately 70 million Americans will increase 1.3 percent in 2021, the Social Security Administration announced today. The 1.3 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits payable to more than 64 million Social Security beneficiaries in January 2021.  Increased payments to more than 8 million SSI beneficiaries … Continue reading Social Security Announces 1.3 Percent Benefit Increase for 2021

By Vonda Van Til, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist We are here for surviving family members when a worker dies. In the event of your death, certain members of your family may be eligible for survivors benefits.  These include widows and widowers, divorced widows and widowers, children, and dependent parents. The amount of benefits your survivors receive depends on your lifetime earnings. The higher your … Continue reading Understanding Social Security Survivors Benefits

By Vonda Van Til, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist If you rely on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments or Social Security Disability (SSDI) benefits and want to start working or return to work, we can help.  A Plan for Achieving Self-Support (PASS) is a rule under SSI to help people with disabilities return to work.  If you receive SSI or could qualify for SSI after … Continue reading Social Security can help with your Plan for Achieving Self Support (PASS)

By Vonda Van Til, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist We are excited to announce the release of a new, standardized Benefit Verification letter. People receiving Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits can obtain their letter by using their personal my Social Security account.  You can use the letter as proof of income for loans, housing assistance, mortgage, and other verification purposes. Please create your personal my … Continue reading New Benefit Verification Letters