Social Security Evolves Into Cyberspace

Remember the olden days when you had to wait in long lines at the Social Security office, hold on the telephone for ‘the next available representative’, and get your benefits estimate through the post office? Times are changing and the Social Security administration has finally caught up with the times. For those of you who are web-savvy, or even if you are not web-savvy but have access to a computer, you can now estimate your benefits, access your earning record, fill out your retirement application, and receive Social Security news and important changes, all from the warmth and comfort of your home.

The newest addition to the Social Security administration’s online tool box is the ‘Online Retirement Estimator’. This handy little estimator is easy to use. You simply answer a few questions that will identify you, and the estimator pulls up your earnings record to give you an estimate of your retirement benefits. From there, you can play with the numbers and dates of retirement and see as many different estimates as you like. Want to retire at 62? Check the estimated benefits with a few clicks. Want to see how much more money you will receive if you wait until you are 70 to retire? You can do that too. The estimator is a great online tool for knowing exactly where you stand, and where you can stand with a few tweaks, in just a matter of moments. You can find the estimator at: http://www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator.

Another wonderful evolution available online is an improved, online retirement application. The application is said to be simple, easy and automated. You can fill out the questions which are only applicable to you, and when you are done click ‘sign now’ to be finished with the entire process. No more losing paperwork or postal mailing. This process takes away mailing time and makes for a quicker, less stressful application process. The online application can be found at: http://www.socialsecurity.gov/r&m2.htm.

Last but not least, you can also stay abreast of Social Security news, events, changes to the website, and changes to important SSA information by subscribing to updates or receiving the newsletter ‘Social Security eNews’. With this information, you will never miss another change in benefits, new law passed, or important news item. You can find the updates subscriber page from the Social Security homepage: http://www.socialsecurity.gov and the eNewsletter at: http://www.socialsecurity.gov/enews.

Social Security is finally taking advantage of the ease and convenience of cyberspace.

SSA resolves to make retirement planning easy



For information on Social Security Disability, visit the

Social Security Disability Benefits Resource Center

Social Security: Hold Out for Later

Most people look forward to age 62 so they can retire and start collecting Social Security benefits. Unfortunately, not many people even know how much they are going to receive upon retirement, and even less know how much they would receive if they waited a mere eight years. The truth is that they would receive up to 75 percent more at age 70, than the amount they will receive at age 62.

This article is a wealth of information provided by a recent survey that polled 61 year olds about their education on Social Security benefits, and their planned actions. The survey was held by Fidelity Investments. The article highlights those who have no retirement plan, those who are planning to retire at age 62, those who have no idea how much they will be receiving upon retiring, and those who need to take their Social Security benefits as soon as possible to meet basic necessity costs. The article also discusses investment options, such as dividend-paying blue chips.

Social Security Desperation


For information on Social Security Disability, visit the

Social Security Disability Benefits Resource Center