MY SOCIAL SECURITY SIMPLIFIES YOUR LIFE

MY SOCIAL SECURITY SIMPLIFIES YOUR LIFE

 By Natalie Sowersby

Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Providence, Rhode Island

So many people buzz through extremely busy and complicated schedules these days. A smartphone in one hand, a computer in front of you, and a digital task list that never seems to end. In addition, to complicate things just a little more, there’s another event you need to add to your list—National Simplify Your Life week. This event takes place August 1 through 7. Put it on your calendar so you don’t forget!

Most organized people agree that planning ahead is a great way to simplify your life. Whether you’re planning tomorrow’s schedule, next summer’s vacation, or your retirement.

We have a suggestion that can help you simplify your life when it comes to Social Security. If you haven’t already (it’s probably on your task list), open your own personal my Social Security account.

What’s my Social Security? It’s a free, secure, online account that allows you immediate access to your personal Social Security information. During your working years, you can use my Social Security to view your Social Security Statement to check your earnings record and see estimates of the future retirement, disability and survivor benefits you and your family may receive based on your earnings. If you already receive Social Security benefits, you can use my Social Security to check your benefit information, change your address and phone number, change your electronic payment methods, and even obtain a benefit verification letter. Check it out and sign up for my Social Security at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.

After you check your online Social Security Statement, be sure to visit our Retirement Estimator. Like my Social Security, you can use it as many times as you’d like. The Retirement Estimator lets you compute potential future Social Security benefits by changing variables, such as retirement dates and future earnings. You may discover that you’d rather wait another year or two before you retire to earn a higher benefit. To get instant, personalized estimates of your future benefits just go to www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator.

There are many tools at www.socialsecurity.gov that are simple and convenient to use. Open a my Social Security account today by visiting www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount and simplify your life.