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A special supplement to The Daily Nonpareil

What you need to do to be a'very satisfied' retiree

See Page 2F

Why electronic benefit payments are now mandatory

See Page 6F

Survivors benefits explainedSee Page 8F

Social SecuritySocial SecuritySunday, March 25, 2012

A guide for all generations

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MARSHA BARTHOLOMEWSOCIAL SECURITY DISTRICT MANAGER

IN OMAHA

These days, everyone is tak-ing a new look at their finances– and no one is looking moreclosely than the millions of babyboomers who are nearing retire-ment age. While some boomersexpect to retire at one of the tra-ditional milestones, such as age62, the current economy is forc-ing many to re-evaluate theirplans. Many are wondering ifthey should work longer andhow their Social Security benefit– or their spouse’s benefit – willbe affected by changes in theirretirement plans.

To help them find answers,Social Security has a fact sheetcalled When To Start ReceivingRetirement Benefits. You can

read it online atsocialsecurity.gov/pubs/10147.html. As most workers know, yourchoice of a retirement age – from62 to 70 – can dramaticallyaffect your monthly Social Secu-rity benefit amount.

If you choose to start receiv-ing benefits early, the monthlypayments will be reduced basedon the number of months youreceive benefits before you reachyour full retirement age.

If you wait until your fullretirement age, 67 for peopleborn in 1960 or later, your bene-fits will not be reduced. And ifyou should choose to delayretirement, your benefit willincrease up to 8 percent a yearfrom your full retirement ageuntil age 70. However, there isno additional benefit increase

after you reach age 70, even ifyou continue to delay takingbenefits.

The choice of when to takeSocial Security retirement bene-fits can also affect one of themost valuable aspects of SocialSecurity – the cost of livingadjustment, or COLA. A fixedincome asset, for example, thatpaid $500 a month 20 years agostill pays the same $500. On theother hand, the average SocialSecurity retirement benefitnearly doubled over the last 20years, increasing from $588 to$1,171. If you choose to retireearly and receive a reduced ben-efit amount, the dollar amountof your COLAs over the yearswill also always be less – a smalldifference that will add up overtime.

Social Security has an onlinecalculator that can provideimmediate retirement benefitestimates to help you plan foryour retirement. The onlineRetirement Estimator usesinformation from your ownearnings record, and lets youcreate “what if” scenarios.

Once you know what toexpect from Social Security inretirement, you will have a bet-ter idea of how much you need tosave to be a “very satisfied”retiree. Make sure you are up todate with the important infor-mation you will need to makethe choice that’s right for you.

Where to find all the tools to help you decide when to retire

2F Sunday, March 25, 2012 The Daily NonpareilSocial Security

Retirement know-howMIKE BROWNLEE

[email protected]

The economy is a bit of a pill,and saving for retirement can betroublesome. But you should doit.

“It’s best if you plan for retire-ment early instead of waiting,”said Denise Jones with theCouncil Bluffs Social SecurityAdministration.

The earlier you start, themore you’ll have at the end, andthe less you’ll have to contributeeach month right now.

Marsha Bartholomew withthe Omaha Social SecurityAdministration pointed toresearch from Boston College,which asked retirees this ques-tion:

“All in all, would you say thatretirement has turned out to be:Very satisfying, moderately sat-isfying, or not satisfying at all?”

Researchers found thatamong retired couples, thosewho answered “very satisfied” or“moderately satisfied” hadincome in retirement replacing72 percent of their pre-retire-ment earnings, while those who

said that their retirement was“not satisfying at all” had incomereplacing only about 60 percentof their pre-retirement earnings.

The lesson, and the key lessonin retirement planning, is tostart early, even if what you con-tribute isn’t much.

Plan for the long term,Bartholomew said.

“Many of us will live muchlonger than the ‘average’ retiree,and, generally, women tend tolive longer than men. About oneout of every four 65 year oldstoday will live past age 90 andone out of 10 will live past age95,” she said. “Social Securitybenefits, which last as long asyou live, provide valuable protec-tion against outliving savingsand other sources of retirementincome.You will want to choose aretirement age based on your cir-cumstances so you will have suf-ficient income when you need it.”

Bartholomew said SocialSecurity provides about 40 per-cent of pre-retirement earningsreplacement for the averagewage earner, making the pro-gram the foundation upon whichto build a secure retirement.

Other savings are a must,though.

Jones advised anyone whoplans to retire – hopefully, thatmeans everyone – to go to theRetirement Estimator atsocialsecurity.gov. The compre-hensive online tool covers arange of retirement questions

and estimates what retirees willearn from Social Security.

“Once you know just what toexpect from Social Security inretirement, you will know justhow much you need to save to beamong the ‘very satisfied’ Ameri-can retirees,” Bartholomew said.

Other options for more infor-

mation include stopping by theCouncil Bluffs office at 20 ArenaWay, Suite 1, at the Mid-AmericaCenter. The office is open from 9a.m. until 3:30 p.m. and staff isavailable “for any questions,”Jones said.

The toll-free number for theSocial Security Administrationis (800) 772-1213.

What you need to do to be a ‘very satisfied’ retiree

Submitted photo

Researchers found that among retired couples, those whosaid they were “very satisfied” or “moderately satisfied” withretirement had income in retirement replacing 72 percent oftheir pre-retirement earnings.

Plan now for a better future

■The Retirement Estimatorlets you create additional“what if” retirement scenariosto find out how changes inyour situation might changeyour future benefit amount.

■ In 2012, you receive onecredit for each $1,130 of earn-ings you can earn up to fourcredits a year. The amount ofearnings needed for one creditcan increase each year. Mostpeople need 40 credits (or 10years of work) to be eligible forretirement benefits.

■ Generally, retirement ben-efits are based on your 35years of highest earning.

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CAROLYN L. SIMMONSREGIONAL COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL

SECURITY, KANSAS CITY REGION

As regional commissioner ofSocial Security, I would like tothank the people of the greaterKansas City area for providingSocial Security with a wonderfulenvironment. The friendly, hard-working people; clean and mod-ern cities; beautiful countrysideand diverse cultural opportuni-ties make Kansas City and thesurrounding area an ideal loca-tion for our agency to work in.

What began as a retirementprogram in 1935 has evolvedinto a safety net for workers,their families and those in great-est need. With the addition ofSurvivors, Disability, Supple-mental Security Income andMedicare benefits since our 1935inception, Social Security contin-ues to provide financial securityfor millions of Americans.

We strive to provide compas-sionate, courteous and accurateservice to the American publicthroughout the four state regionthat consists of Missouri,Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska.Our regional customer satisfac-tion surveys continue to indicatea high rate of satisfaction withthe quality, timeliness and cour-tesy with which our staff pro-vides service to our communi-ties. We take public service seri-ously and strive to leverage theuse of new technology toenhance our service.

We are committed to deliver-ing service the way you want it –whether it be in person, byphone or online. A network offield offices exists in the metro-politan area and throughout theregion for in person service. Youmay call our automated serviceanytime, toll free at 1 (800) 772-1213 or our representatives areavailable from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.Monday through Friday.

I also encourage you to visitsocialsecurity.gov. Our website isa simple, safe and secure methodfor you to estimate future bene-fits, apply for benefits, obtainforms or publications and ordera replacement Medicare card.The web site is available inSpanish, as are our publicationsand retirement estimator. Weare anxiously awaiting therelease of our Spanish onlineretirement application – staytuned. This is a small sample of

what you can find on our websiteand what you can do online. Wecontinue to update the site tobetter meet your needs.

According to the AmericanCustomer Satisfaction Index,our online services are top-notch. Our online RetirementApplication, Retirement Estima-tor, Help with Medicare Pre-scription Drug Plan Costs Appli-cation and Internet DisabilityReport are among top-ratedonline services in both govern-ment and the private sector. Ifyou are interested in receivingfree Social Security updates byemail, simply click on the “Getemail updates when this infor-mation changes” icon locatedthroughout our website to stayinformed about the latest SocialSecurity information.

I pledge that we will continueto be innovative and seek to pro-vide the highest standard of con-siderate and thoughtful servicefor years to come. Please visitsocialsecurity.gov and let usknow how we are doing as yourfeedback and questions will helpus improve our service. Our chal-lenges in the future can only bemet with a willingness to wel-come change and implementnew ideas. Our highly dedicatedemployees are here to deliverservices that meet your chang-ing needs with dignity andrespect.

As an agency, we continuallystrive to improve our disabilityclaims process. In the last yearalone, we have expanded aninnovative process that begantwo years ago known as VideoService Delivery. Additional fieldoffices, Disability Determination

Services and Disability Adjudi-cation and Review offices havethis equipment that allows us toprovide real-time, face-to-faceservice improving the applica-tions process in remote locations.To reduce the hearings backlog,video technology allows adminis-trative law judges to conducthearings remotely.

We streamlined the disabilityprocess with the Wounded War-rior and Compassionateallowance initiatives. Read moreabout the Wounded Warriorexpedited process for membersof the military on 5F of this sup-plement. The CompassionateAllowance process specificallydeals with the most disablingconditions an individual maydevelop such as brain tumors,cancers and end-stage renal dis-ease to allow us a faster track toprocess a disability claim. Thisyear, we have added 12 addi-tional medical conditions involv-ing severe heart disease, bring-ing the total number to 100.

The Joplin tornado broughtout the best in our employees, ashundreds in the region steppedforward to help the people ofJoplin. Most of our employees,despite personal losses of theirown, reported for duty as soon asthe Social Security officereopened. Many of them volun-teered, helping the Joplin com-munity to recover.The Pittsburg,Kan., office sent employees toprovide additional services.Social Security utilized our tech-nology to enable offices fromacross the region to help Joplinresidents apply for benefits andobtain other needed services.The community in Joplin foundthe Social Security safety netready to help when they needed

it most.Although Social Security can

be vital to survivors of an emer-gency like Joplin, the SocialSecurity safety net provides anincreasingly important source ofretirement, disability and sur-vivors benefits across the regionand the nation. To see the safetynet of Social Security at work,the above table shows the num-ber of beneficiaries and theirmonthly payments by county.Each month we pay nearly26,000 residents of the greaterCouncil Bluffs area an averageof nearly $1,100 a month!

Most of our beneficiaries areretirees and their families.Social Security is not intended tobe the only source of income forpeople when they retire. Social

Security replaces about 40 per-cent of an average wage earnersincome after retiring, and mostfinancial advisors say retireeswill need 70 percent or more ofpre-retirement earnings to livecomfortably. To have a comfort-able retirement, Americans needmuch more than just SocialSecurity.

The Social Security Adminis-tration wants you to understandwhat Social Security can meanto you and your family’s finan-cial future. Our website is avaluable resource for informa-tion about all of Social Security’sprograms. Learn more abouthow Social Security can help youby visiting us atsocialsecurity.gov.

On behalf of Social Securityand the employees of the KansasCity Region, we are pleased toteam with The Daily Nonpareil.I trust you will find the informa-tion contained in this supple-ment useful as you plan for thedays ahead or in the event of anunexpected disability or death.We built Social Security on afoundation of efficient and effec-tive service and as RegionalCommissioner for the KansasCity Region; I want you to knowthat we are committed to mak-ing sure you continue to receiveour help and support throughcompassionate, courteous andaccurate public service.

Sunday, March 25, 2012 3FThe Daily Nonpareil Social Security

Proud to serve the Heartland

Simmons

Iowa Counties Beneficiaries Monthly AmountFremont 1,945 $1,990,000Harrison 3,305 $3,420,000Mills 3,070 $3,201,000Pottawattamie 17,640 $18,742,000

Council Bluffs Servicing Area 25,960 $27,353,000

To see the safety net of Social Security at work, the tablebelow shows the number of beneficiaries and their monthlypayments by county. Each month we pay nearly 26,000 resi-dents of the greater Council Bluffs area an average of nearly$1,100 a month!

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What’s in a name?DENISE JONES

SOCIAL SECURITY DISTRICT MANAGER IN COUNCIL BLUFFS

It’s an age-old question: What’s in a name? The answer: Itdepends on what name you’re talking about. Each one has ahistory and a story. You can learn a lot about many names atsocialsecurity.gov.

That’s because as Social Security card applications come infor newborns, we keep track of baby names. As a result, we

know all about baby names, howpopular they’ve been through theyears and how that popularity haschanged.

The Top 10 baby names for boysand girls born in 2010 are in. Andthe winners are … Jacob andIsabella!

Jacob and Isabella are onceagain king and queen of the crib.This is the 12th year in a row on

our list for Jacob and the second for Isabella. We have a newNo. 2 for girls: Welcome, Sophia. The only new name to crawlinto the Top 10 on either list this year is Aiden, whichreplaces Joshua on the boys’ side.

This year, the two biggest jumps in popularity in the Top500 are related: Maci and Bentley. Maci Bookout and herinfant son, Bentley, were prominently featured on the show“Teen Mom” and its predecessor, “16 and Pregnant.”

On Social Security’s Popular Baby Names page, you cansee the Top 10 names back to 1880. The top names in 1880were John and Mary. You also can see the Top 10 names ofthe past decade (Jacob and Emily rule!) or any decade.There’s a lot of interesting trivia in these lists.

Learn more at socialsecurity.gov/babynames. While you’reon the website, check out the relevant information for par-ents-to-be on Social Security numbers and benefits for chil-dren, and what every parent should know about Social Secu-rity.

Here is the entire Top 10 forboys and girls born in 2010:

Boys Girls1) Jacob 1) Isabella2) Ethan 2) Sophia3) Michael 3) Emma4) Jayden 4) Olivia5) William 5) Ava6) Alexander 6) Emily7) Noah 7) Abigail8) Daniel 8) Madison9) Aiden 9) Chloe10) Anthony 10) Mia

Medicare Part B explainedTIM JOHNSON

[email protected]

“We’re a face to the government.”The Social Security Administration fronts for

the Medicare program, said Denise Jones, districtmanager for the SSA. “You don’t see Medicareoffices.”

The SSA signs people up for Medicare, butMedicare – part of the Department of Health andHuman Services – administers the program, whichis open to people 65 and older and younger peoplewith certain disabilities or permanent kidney fail-ure.

Medicare B, one of the program’s four parts, cov-ers services provided by physicians and specialists,some medications and some diagnostic tests andsupplies that are not covered by Part A, Jones said.As such, it’s for the majority of the routine healthcare subscribers receive.

“You don’t always have to take Part B, if you canget coverage through your employer and you’re anactive employee,” she said.

Jones recommended seniors talk to their insur-ance carriers to compare their coverage toMedicare.

“Sometimes Medicare will pay something pri-vate insurance doesn’t, so you could benefit fromgetting Medicare,” she said. “The hospital insur-ance for Medicare is free. You don’t have anythingto lose by signing up for Part A.”

Premiums for Medicare Part B are about $100 amonth for individuals with a modified adjustedgross income of $85,000 or less or a couple withincome of $170,000 or less, the SSA website states.For those with higher incomes, the premiumsincrease up to a maximum of $166.30 per month.

“For most beneficiaries, the government pays asubstantial portion (of the actual cost) – about 75percent,” Jones said.

Generally, people receive information aboutMedicare in the mail as their 65th birthdayapproaches, she said. The first open enrollmentperiod will begin three months before their 65thbirthday and continue until three months after.

“If you miss it and you have employer insur-ance, we have a special enrollment period,” shesaid. “That would be anytime you or your spouse iscovered through their employer’s plan.

“The special enrollment period is an eight-month period that begins after the employmentends or the health plan ends – whichever comesfirst,” Jones said.

There is also a general enrollment period thatusually runs from Jan. 1 through March 31, Jonessaid. If March 31 falls on a weekend or holiday, thedeadline is extended until the next business day.

“This year, they have until April 2, and that cov-erage starts July 1 of the year they enroll,” shesaid.

There could be a penalty for those who file late,she said.

There are three ways to enroll in Medicare,Jones said:

■ Online■ By phone■ By talking to a service rep in personFor information on Medicare coverage, seniors

should visit the program’s website at medicare.govor call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227; TTY 1-877-486-2048). For more about enroll-

ment, people can visit the Social Security Adminis-tration website at www.ssa.gov, call the local SSAoffice at (866) 331-9094 or the national office at(800) 772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visit theCouncil Bluffs office at the Mid-America Plaza, 20Arena Way, Suite 1.

Staff photo/Tim Johnson

Service representatives Randy Mastra andPam Friesen pause between customers at theCouncil Bluffs Social Security Administra-tion office.

Question:Can I get a new Social Security number

if someone has stolen my identity?

Answer:We do not routinely assign a new number

to someone whose identity has been stolen.Only as a last resort should you considerrequesting a new Social Security number.Changing your number may adversely affectyour ability to interact with Federal andState agencies, employers, and others. Thisis because your financial, medical, employ-ment and other records will be under yourformer Social Security number. We cannotguarantee that a new number will solveyour problem. To learn more about yourSocial Security card and number, read ouronline publication on the subject at socialse-curity.gov/pubs/10002.html.

Facts in a minute...

SHARA SEVARTSOCIAL SECURITY AREA DIRECTOR,

KANSAS AND NEBRASKA

When you go on a road trip,you need to follow the signs toarrive at the right place. Goingonline can be very much thesame. Look for the “.gov” at theend of the web address – if itisn’t .gov, it isn’t the real SocialSecurity website – socialsecu-rity.gov.

Countless consumers nation-wide are victimized each year bymisleading advertisers who use“Social Security” or “Medicare”to entice the public to use theirservices. In many cases, thesecompanies offer Social Securityservices for a fee, even thoughthe same services are availabledirectly from Social Security,free of charge. These servicesinclude:

■ Updating a Social Securitycard to show a bride’s married

name;■ Replacing a Social Security

card; and■ Getting a Social Security

number for a child.These for-profit businesses

may cleverly design their web-sites, so when people use Inter-net search engines, their adver-tisement pops up. They mayeven make their advertisementlook similar to the real SocialSecurity website. Some of thesesites, at first glance, appear to beaffiliated with Social Security;however, upon closer examina-tion, these are for-profit compa-nies charging individuals for aservice that is provided free bySocial Security.

For instance, a quick Googlesearch on “replacing a SocialSecurity card” brings up paidadvertisements for websitesthat charge a fee just to get anapplication for a new card. That

service is absolutely free fromSocial Security.

The law that deals specifi-cally with misleading SocialSecurity and Medicare advertis-ing prohibits people or non-gov-ernment organizations, like for-profit businesses, from usingwords or emblems that misleadothers. Their advertising cannotlead people to believe that theyrepresent, or they are affiliatedwith, or they are endorsed by orthey are approved by SocialSecurity or the Centers forMedicare & Medicaid Services(Medicare). However, that does-n’t stop advertisers from trying.

For more information, youcan read our publication “WhatYou Need to Know about Mis-leading Advertising” at socialse-curity.gov/pubs/10005.html.

When you go to socialsecu-rity.gov, make sure you look forthe “.gov” sign along the way.

Don’t be tricked into paying afee for a service that’s free.

Remember, if it isn’t .gov, it isn’tSocial Security.

Sunday, March 25, 2012 5FThe Daily Nonpareil Social Security

Social Security serves those who serve AmericaDIANA CADA

SOCIAL SECURITY ASSISTANT DISTRICTMANAGER IN OMAHA

Every day, Americans in thearmed forces serve our nation. AtSocial Security, we honor ournation’s military personnel andall of America’s veterans, notonly on Veterans Day, but everyday of the year.

In fact, military service mem-bers receive quicker processing oftheir disability applications fromSocial Security. Under an agree-ment started by Social Security,the Department of Defense sendsinformation that allows us toquickly identify military person-nel injured in Operations Endur-ing Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

The expedited process isavailable for any military servicemember who becomes disabledduring active duty on or afterOct. 1, 2001, regardless of wherethe disability occurs. Dependingon the situation, some familymembers of military personnelmay also be able to receive bene-fits, including dependent chil-dren and spouses.

Social Security pays disabilitybenefits through two programs:The Social Security disabilityinsurance program, which paysbenefits to you and certain mem-bers of your family if you are“insured,” meaning that you

worked long enough and paidSocial Security taxes; and theSupplemental Security Incomeprogram, which pays benefitsbased on financial need.

If you, or someone you know,has been wounded while onactive duty in the military, visitour website to find out whatSocial Security can do for you:socialsecurity.gov/woundedwar-riors. There, you will findanswers to a number of com-monly asked questions, as wellas other useful informationabout disability benefits andSupplemental Security Income.Please pay special attention tothe fact sheets available on thatwebsite, Disability Benefits forWounded Warriors and Expedit-ing Disability Applications forWounded Warriors.

Remember, active duty statusand receipt of military pay doesnot, in itself, necessarily preventpayment of Social Security dis-ability benefits. Receipt of mili-tary payments should never stop

you from applying for disabilitybenefits from Social Security. Ifyou are receiving treatment at amilitary medical facility andworking in a designated therapyprogram or on limited duty, wewill evaluate your work activityto determine your eligibility forbenefits.

You cannot receive SocialSecurity disability benefits if youengage in substantial work forpay or profit. However, the actualwork activity is the controllingfactor and not the amount of payyou receive or your military dutystatus.

You can speed the decision onyour application for benefits bybeing prepared for your inter-view. We can take prompt actionon your claim if you:

■ Let us know right awaythat your disability occurredwhile on active military duty;

■ Have information availableregarding all the doctors youhave seen and the address of themilitary site where your records

are kept;■ Notify us of any address

changes you have while we areworking on your claim; and

■ Inform us about anychanges in doctors, hospitals oroutpatient clinics where you arereceiving treatment.

After we receive your applica-tion for Social Security disabilitybenefits, we will identify it as amilitary service member claimand expedite it through allphases of processing, both atSocial Security and the Disabil-ity Determination Service. Wealso expedite disability claimsfiled online.

You will also find links to use-ful Veterans Affairs websites.There are links to informationabout the “Operation EnduringFreedom/Operation Iraqi Free-dom Home,” information on sur-vivors benefits, the Task Force onReturning Global War on TerrorHeroes, a fact sheet on veteransbenefits and the Veterans On-Line Application, known asVONAPP.

Although the expedited ser-vice for our wounded warriors isrelatively new, military person-nel have been covered underSocial Security since 1957. Evenpeople in the service before 1957may receive special credit forsome of their service. People in

the military are covered for thesame Social Security survivors,disability and retirement bene-fits as everyone else.

A person’s Social Securitybenefit depends on earnings,averaged over a lifetime. Gener-ally, the higher your earnings,the higher your Social Securitybenefit. Under certain circum-stances, special earnings may becredited from your military payrecord for Social Security pur-poses. The extra earnings are forperiods of active duty or activeduty for training. These extraearnings may help you qualifyfor Social Security or increasethe amount of your Social Secu-rity benefit and are added toyour earnings record when youapply for Social Security bene-fits.

To learn more about SocialSecurity for people who haveserved in the military, read acopy of our publication, MilitaryService and Social Security. Youcan find it online at socialsecu-rity.gov/pubs/, or call us at 1 (800)772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778)to ask us to mail a free copy toyou.

Each and every day, the bravemen and women of our nation’sarmed forces serve us. SocialSecurity salutes everyone whoserves.

Social Security serves those who serve America■ We can expedite claims filed online.■ Family members – spouses and dependent children may also

qualify for benefits on the worker’s record.■ Military service is covered by Social Security, as is most other

employment.

Warning: If it doesn’t end with .gov, it’s not Social SecurityFYI

■ Did you know an application to request a new or replacementSocial Security card is free of charge?

■ Be careful with your Social Security card and number to pre-vent identity theft.

■ Show your card to your employer when you start a job soyour records are correct.

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6F Sunday, March 25, 2012 The Daily NonpareilSocial Security

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Electronic payments are now mandatoryDIANA CADA

SOCIAL SECURITY ASSISTANT DISTRICTMANAGER IN OMAHA

Since May 1, 2011, peoplewho apply for Social Securitybenefits must receive paymentselectronically. Nearly everyonereceiving benefits who has notsigned up for electronic pay-ments must switch to electronicpayments by March 1, 2013.Electronic payments may bemade by direct deposit, theDirect Express card program oran Electronic Transfer Account.You can learn more about allthree at godirect.org.

Almost everyone already getstheir benefit payment electroni-cally. Whether you receive SocialSecurity or Supplemental Secu-rity Income, you can depend onyour payment arriving in youraccount on time, every time. Ifyou do not already have directdeposit, there are good reasonsto sign up. For one, less moneyand time spent driving to thebank to cash your check helpsyou save. Second, fewer paperchecks, envelopes and stamps,and less fuel to deliver thechecks means less waste andpollution for the environment.

With winter, most areas, likeours face snow, cold, ice andwind. Other areas bear thebrunt of hurricanes or flooding.At other times of the year, we areplagued by tornadoes, while oth-ers must deal with wildfires,severe thunderstorms or even

earthquakes. If you are unfortu-nate enough to be in the line of anatural disaster, the last thingyou want is for your income to beinterrupted because of an evacu-ation or a missing mailbox or amissing post office. With elec-tronic payments, you know yourpayment will be in your accounton time no matter what.

When on vacation, electronicpayments ensure your check isdeposited into your account ontime, so there is no reason toworry about the safety of yourbenefit or to ask a neighbor tolook out for your check when youare away.

As an added bonus, manybanks offer free checkingaccounts for people who usedirect deposit because it savesthe bank the cost of processingpaper payments. Plus, the pay-ment probably will show up inyour bank account earlier in theday than a paper check willappear in the mailbox … andthere’s no need to cash it. It’salready in the bank.

Don’t have a bank account?Direct Express is for you. DirectExpress is designed for peoplewithout bank accounts and itworks like a debit card. Pay-ments are loaded onto the cardand are immediately available.With Direct Express, you canuse the card to get cash or topurchase items.

The Department of the Trea-sury recently introduced an easy

and affordable option – the Elec-tronic Transfer Account. Thenew ETA is available throughparticipating federally insuredfinancial institutions, includingbanks, savings and loans, andcredit unions.

With direct deposit, Elec-tronic Transfer Account orDirect Express, there’s no needto leave your house when theweather is bad or to stand in lineat the bank. When you’re awayfrom home, it’s comforting toknow your payment is in thebank instead of the mailbox.

To learn more about directdeposit of your benefit paymentsand to sign up, visit our websiteat socialsecurity.gov/deposit. Ofcourse, you can also start orchange direct deposit servicesby:

■ Using our automatedphone service at 1 (800) 772-1213;

■ Filling out a direct depositsign-up form that is availablefrom the Social Security websiteand taking it to your financialinstitution or Social Securityoffice; or

■ Contacting your bank,credit union or savings and loanassociation.

So whatever the weather, putdirect deposit or Direct Expresson your list of things to do. Visitsocialsecurity.gov, call 1 (800)772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778)or go directly to godirect.gov orfms.treas.gov/directexpresscard.

Submitted photo

Nearly everyone receiving benefits who has not signed up for electronic payments mustswitch to electronic payments by March 1, 2013.

Tax tips for allDENISE JONES

SOCIAL SECURITY DISTRICT MAN-AGER IN COUNCIL BLUFFS

It is never too early to planfor filing the next tax return.Here are Social Security’s topthree tips for making tax time alot easier.

1) Don’t forget the children.Make sure the kids (and all thedependents) you list on yourannual tax forms have SocialSecurity numbers. Yes, childrendo need Social Security num-bers. There once was a timewhen a child did not require aSocial Security card until laterin life, but in 2012, that day islong gone. If you want to claimyour child as a dependent onyour tax return, your child willneed a Social Security number.For many families, it is not onlythe kids who will need a num-ber, but all dependents listed onyour federal tax return needone. This includes a dependentparent who lives with you andreceives support from you. Ifany of your dependents need aSocial Security number, youcan get an application atsocialsecurity.gov.

2) Check the names andnumbers. It is not enough foreveryone on your tax return tohave a Social Security number– they also must be the correctnumbers, and they must matchyour names exactly. The Inter-nal Revenue Service checks allthe names and Social Securitynumbers on your tax returnagainst Social Security’srecords. If the names and num-bers do not match Social Secu-rity’s records, you will receive aletter from IRS asking you toexplain the discrepancy. Youcannot receive a tax refunduntil the discrepancy isresolved – which could meanan unnecessarily long delay.

3) Paying taxes on SocialSecurity benefits. If you receiveSocial Security benefits andyour total income, including

benefits and any other incomesuch as wages, pensions orinvestment income is highenough, you may have to paytaxes on a portion of your bene-fits. Plan accordingly as youwork out your budget. You mayhave to pay taxes on yourSocial Security benefits if:

■ You file as an individualand have a total annual incomeof $25,000 or more; or

■ You file a joint return andhave a combined total annualincome of $32,000 or more.

If you need to pay taxes on aportion of your benefits, youwill need your SSA-1099. Thisform shows the total amount ofbenefits received in the previ-ous year and the form is used tofind out whether any benefitsare subject to tax.

You will receive your SSA-1099 for the tax year in themail – they are automaticallymailed to all beneficiaries byJan. 31 of the following year. Ifyou receive Social Security anddid not receive a Form SSA-1099 for 2011 by Jan. 31, 2012,you can request a replacementonline atsocialsecurity.gov/onlineser-vices. Or you can call SocialSecurity’s toll-free number, 1(800) 772-1213 (TTY, 1-800-325-0778) and ask for areplacement SSA-1099 to bemailed to you.

You can ask us to withholdfederal taxes from your SocialSecurity when you apply forbenefits. If you are alreadyreceiving benefits or if youwant to change or stop yourwithholding, you will need aform W-4V from the InternalRevenue Service.

When you complete theform, you will need to select thepercentage of your monthlybenefit amount you want with-held.You can have 7 percent, 10percent, 15 percent or 25 per-cent of your monthly benefitwithheld for taxes.

Sunday, March 25, 2012 7FThe Daily Nonpareil Social Security

Speed up your disability applicationMARSHA BARTHOLOMEW

SOCIAL SECURITY DISTRICT MANAGERIN OMAHA

If your disabling condition ispreventing you from continuingto work, you may want to applyfor disability benefits throughSocial Security. In most cases,doing so involves a thoroughprocess of determining your eli-gibility, medical condition, andability to work. Because we lookcarefully at so many cases –more than 3 million each year –it can take us three to fivemonths to determine whetheryou are eligible.

Processing times on that ini-tial claim can vary dependingon several factors, but primarilyon:

■ The nature of your disabil-

ity;■ How quickly we obtain

medical evidence from your doc-tor and other medical sources;and

■ Whether we need to sendyou for a medical examinationin order to obtain evidence tosupport your claim.

There are things you can doto help speed up the process.The more information you pro-vide up front, the less time itwill take us to obtain the evi-dence we need – and the fasteryour claim may be processed.

What type of information dowe need?

■ Any medical records or doc-umentation you have is helpful.We can make copies of therecords you have and return

your originals;■ The names, addresses and

phone numbers for any doctors,medical facilities, treatmentcenters or providers related toyour disabling condition;

■ The names, addresses andphone numbers for previousemployers and the dates workedfor each employer;

■ Workers’ compensationinformation, including the set-tlement agreement, date ofinjury, claim number and proofof other disability benefitsawarded;

■ Names and dates of birth ofyour minor children and yourspouse;

■ Dates of marriages anddivorces (if any);

■ Checking or savings

account number, and the bank’snine-digit routing number, so wecan deposit your payment elec-tronically; and

■ Name, address and phonenumber of a person we can con-tact if we are unable to get intouch with you.

If this disability applicationis for a child, we need the name,address, phone number of theschools attended and any schoolrecords you can provide. In addi-tion, provide the name, addressand phone number of an addi-tional responsible adult who canassist in the claim process forthe child in case you areunavailable or unreachable.

We also ask you to signrelease forms that give us per-mission to obtain the informa-

tion needed from third parties tomake a decision on your claim.

The best place to start isonline at socialsecurity.gov,select Disability tab. There,you’ll find more information.You can apply online for disabil-ity benefits (the easiest method),or you can make an appoint-ment by phone or in a SocialSecurity office. The choice isyours. For Supplemental Secu-rity Income disability benefits,you cannot apply online, but youstill can complete the DisabilityReport to prepare for the inter-view and speed-up the process-ing time.

If you’re considering anapplication for disability bene-fits, the place to go is socialsecu-rity.gov/disability.

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Question:How do I request proof of my benefit amount?

Answer:You can use your SSA-1099 form as proof of your income if you

receive Social Security benefits, or you can use the annual cost-of-living adjustment notice as verification of your current bene-fits. You also can make an online request for a Proof of IncomeLetter at socialsecurity.gov by clicking on “Services for peoplecurrently receiving benefits” and then clicking on “Request aproof of income letter.” Or, toll-free number, 1 (800) 772-1213.

Facts in a minute...Fast Medicare coverage evenwhen you’re not retired

DENISE JONESSOCIAL SECURITY DISTRICT MANAGER

IN COUNCIL BLUFFS

You’ve made your decision.Although you’re eligible to beginreceiving Social Security bene-fits now, you’ve decided to holdoff a little while longer and con-tinue to work.

But… don’t forget aboutMedicare.

Even if you decide to delayyour Social Security benefitsbeyond age 65, you should stillconsider applying for Medicare.In order for your Medicare cov-erage to begin when you arefirst eligible, you will need tocontact Social Security withinfour months of your 65th birth-day to file an application.

There’s a safe, convenientand simple way to apply onlinefor Medicare in as little as 10minutes! Just visit socialsecu-rity.gov/medicareonly to getstarted.

Once you arrive at the web-site, you’ll find more than justthe easy-to-use online applica-tion. You’ll also find lots of help-ful information about Medicareand have the opportunity towatch an entertaining video fea-turing the cast of “The PattyDuke Show,” which highlightsthe ease and convenience of fil-ing for Medicare online.

It’s important to note thatpeople who are already receiv-ing Social Security retirementor disability benefits do not needto apply for Medicare; they willbe automatically enrolled. Theseindividuals will receive a letterfrom Social Security informingthem they have been signed upfor Medicare and will also beissued a Medicare card.

Most people age 65 or olderare eligible for free Medicarehospital insurance (Part A) aslong as they or a spouse haveworked and paid taxes to Uncle

Sam. However, there is amonthly premium for Medicaremedical insurance (Part B). Ifyou already have other healthinsurance through an employerwhen you reach age 65, you mayor may not need to apply forMedicare medical insurance(Part B) right away. When itcomes time to decide, be sure tomake an informed decision. Talkto Social Security, youremployer, your employer’sGroup-Health Plan or even aninsurance specialist to help youfully understand your options.To learn more about enrolling inMedicare, read our online publi-cation, Medicare, at socialsecu-rity.gov/pubs/10043.html.

Submitted photo

There’s a safe, convenientand simple way to applyonline for Medicare in as lit-tle as 10 minutes

What You Can Do ■ If you are still disabled

when you reach your full retire-ment age, we will convert yourdisability benefits to a retire-ment benefit at the sameamount.

■You are eligible to receiveMedicare after you havereceived disability benefits for24 months.

■ SSA reviews your case atregular intervals to make sureyou are still disabled.

8F Sunday, March 25, 2012 The Daily NonpareilSocial Security

After the loss: Survivors benefits explainedDIANA CADA

SOCIAL SECURITY ASSISTANT DISTRICT MANAGER IN OMAHA

The loss of a loved one can be painful. The death of awage earner upon whom a family depends also can befinancially devastating.

If you are like most young or middle-aged workers,you probably think of Social Security only as a retirementprogram. However, some of the Social Security taxes youpay go toward providing survivors insurance for workersand their families. Think of it as a life insurance policyyou never knew you had – paid for by the same taxes thatcover you for retirement or disability.

When you die, certain members of your family may beeligible for survivors benefits.These include widows, wid-owers (and divorced widows and widowers), children(including stepchildren if they meet certain dependencyrequirements), and even dependent parents. In manycases, there also is a $255 one-time lump-sum paymentmade to a surviving spouse or minor children who meetcertain requirements.

A widow, widower or a surviving divorced spouse (ifyou were divorced, your marriage must have lasted atleast 10 years) can receive benefits as early as age 60, orif you are disabled, age 50. Benefits are also available atany age if you are caring for a child of your late spouse orex-spouse. The child must be:

■ Your natural or legally adopted child, and,■ Under the age of 16, or■ Entitled for childhood disability benefits and the

level of care you provide meets specific guidelines.You may not think it will happen to you, but the stun-

ning truth is that one in eight of today’s 20-year-olds willdie before reaching their full retirement age of 67. In fact,98 of every 100 children could get benefits if a workingparent dies. More than 6.4 million survivors receive ben-efits.

How it works: You can earn up to four Social Securitycredits each year. In 2012, for example, you earn onecredit for each $1,130 of wages or self-employmentincome. When you have earned $4,520, you have earnedyour four credits for the year.

The number of years of work you need for your familyto receive benefits depends on your age at death, or howrecently you worked at the time of death. No one needsmore than 40 credits (10 years of work) to be eligible forany Social Security benefit. The average Survivors bene-fit is $1,129 a month.

If you are a survivor, you should apply for survivorsbenefit right away. You can apply by telephone or at anySocial Security office. Call us toll-free at 1 (800) 772-1213(TTY: 1-800-325-0778). To help prepare you, here is theinformation we will need:

■ Proof of death;■ Your Social Security number, as well as the deceased

worker’s;■ Your marriage certificate, if you are a widow or wid-

ower;■ Your divorce papers, if you are applying as a

divorced widow or widower;■ Dependent children’s Social Security numbers and

birth certificates;■ The name of your bank and your account number so

your benefits can be deposited directly into your account.To learn more about survivors benefits, read the

online publication at socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10084.html.

More on survivors benefits■ Men can receive benefits from their deceased

wife’s record as early as age 60 or age 50 if disabled.■ If you were married at least 10 years you may

qualify for widows or widowers benefits even if youare now divorced.

■Young families may qualify for survivor benefits ifthe deceased worked as little as one and half years.

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