Your Friend, my Social Security
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: November 6, 2023
Everyone knows the value of a good friend. They give you advice and console you when you’re in need. On August 3, Friendship Day reminded us to acknowledge the people who are closest to us by thanking, loving, and spending quality time with them.
Like a good friend, Social Security’s online services are always there to give you the support you need. Opening a personal my Social Security account is one of the first steps you can take to planning a financially healthy retirement. Simply go online to open or access your account.
With a personal my Social Security account, you can…
- Keep track of your earnings and verify them every year.
- Get an estimate of your future benefits if you are still working.
- Get a letter with proof of your benefits if you currently receive them.
- Manage your benefits:
- Change your address.
- Start or change your direct deposit.
- Get a replacement Medicare card if you are a current Medicare beneficiary.
- Get a replacement SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S for tax season.
Remember, my Social Security is an ever-evolving resource. We continue to research, develop, and add features to better serve you. Our mission is to support you when you need it most. Part of that vital mission is to make it as easy as possible to apply for services when you might be going through hardship. As a friend, we want you to be ready. Join the 20 million people who are making their business with Social Security that much easier with a personal my Social Security account.
All great friends are good listeners, and Social Security is no different. We’ve collected countless messages from the public to craft our Frequently Asked Questions. These questions provide solutions to topics you care about like retirement, disability, Medicare, and Supplemental Security Income. Through our many online resources, we listen to you so that we can continue to provide the world-class service you deserve.
Next time someone asks you, “Have you ever met a friend online?” You can confidently say, “Yeah… my Social Security.” We are here for you 24 hours a day, and we’re only a computer or tablet screen away. Now that’s a friend you can count on.
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Tags: my Social Security, my Social Security account, social security, SSA
See CommentsAbout the Author
Phil Gambino, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications
Assistant Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Comments
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Jrw
I am currently in appeal with SS disability. I am 60 years old and haven’t been able to work in 10 years or longer. MY mom was helping me until she passed away 2 years ago. Do I have to wait until I am 61 and 9 months to get my SS or can I get it a year and couple months early. I have NO income. I need help! I just started receiving 300 retirement from my old employer and rent is 500 Please send me in the right direction if I could at least get early SS i would be fine.
Ray F.
The earliest age you can apply for reduced retirement benefits is 62. Generally, you will need to have 40 credits, or 10 years of work paying Social Security taxes, to qualify for any type of Social Security benefit. You may be eligible to receive additional assistance from the state where you live, while you await a medical determination. These services include Medicaid, free meals, housekeeping help, transportation or help with other problems. You can get information about services in your area from your state or local social services office. You can also visit the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) web page for more information. We hope this information helps.
Glenda
Hello, I am on SSD and have medicare as primary and BCBS as secondary insurance. I have had 5 back surgeries and my left foot is now starting to lean inward and causing pain in my foot all the way into my my lower back. I contacted Medicare to see if they cover the insoles I need and I was told, “unless the insole come with a leg brace then NO they aren’t”. BCBS said the same. REALLY! Why would a larger amount of money have to be spent to include a brace, according to my foot and primary care doctor is something I dont need, just to get the insoles. Now that the insoles are not covered, I have to pay $400.00 to get them myself. Explain Please TY
jack
This is good information and i know how you feel.
barry
sorry daughter
barry
if i get married will my douter loose her ssi i am her payee
Ray F.
Hi Barry. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) guidelines require that we consider part of your income and resources to be available to your daughter. We also take into consideration your daughter’s living arrangements. This means that If you get married, we will take into account your spouse’s income and resources when figuring out your daughter’s monthly benefit amount. These factors may affect whether your daughter can continue receiving SSI benefits and how much. The process of determining how much of your income and resources we will count is called “deeming“. Remember that you must contact us to report any changes, it’s still possible that your daughter can continue to receive her SSI benefits after we conduct a “Redetermination”. For further assistance, please contact your local office or call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213. Thanks!
Agatha
My husband has been collecting social security since he was 62. After a year, when he turned 63, they started taking out $104.90. Many people have told us that this should not be taken out until he turns 65. Is that true?
Ray F.
Thank you for your question Agatha. Medicare is our country’s health insurance program for people age 65 or older. However, certain people younger than age 65 can qualify for Medicare, too. Individuals can be eligible for Medicare benefits after they receive disability benefits for 24 months. We start counting the 24 months from the month they were entitled to receive disability, not the month when they received their first check. Could it be possible that your husband is receiving Social Security Disability benefits?
The monthly amount of the Medicare Part B premiums in 2015 was $104.90. The premium amount for medical insurance in 2016 is $121.80. For security reasons, we do not have access to personal records in this venue. Your husband should contact the local Social Security office or call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. for further assistance and an explanation. Thanks.
James D.
Added last line in post missed on first mailing:
To the SSA blog https://blog.ssa.gov/your-friend-my-social-security/#more-624
I am married retired, 76 years old, and receiving SS benefits, also am the only one that earned and contributed maximum to the SS and Medicare. I received a letter from my former employer advising my spouse (born in 1951) will no longer be covered by company sponsored health coverage effective February 1-2016. She turns 65 on February 5, 2016 and is Medicare eligible then. Her FRA is 66.
None of the SSA sites will allow her to sign up on line for Medicare part A, B, at this time (Extend Health, Medicare.gov) or any of the many sites I have visited allow her to proceed to get a Medicare card number/coverage (only if she elects to get SSA benefits at a reduced rate). She does not want to start SS income benefits until FRA . Social security office told her she had to apply over the phone and they would call her on January 5, 2016 to discuss the issue. If it takes 30 days just to get an interview, it is likely her health care will have been dropped before she gets a Medicare card number.
Please explain why the instructions in your publications when followed are resulting in issues with her sighing up for Medicare coverage unless she answers yes to accepting SS income.
Please advise what steps I should take to assure my wife gets a Medicare card number so she can obtain health plan coverage (an Advantage plan we selected).
James D.
I am married retired, 76 years old, and receiving SS benefits, also am the only one that earned and contributed maximum to the SS and Medicare. I received a letter from my former employer advising my spouse (born in 1951) will no longer be covered by company sponsored health coverage effective February 1-2016. She turns 65 on February 5, 2016 and is Medicare eligible then. Her FRA is 66.
None of the SSA sites will allow her to sign up on line for Medicare part A, B, at this time (Extend Health, Medicare.gov) or any of the many sites I have visited allow her to proceed to get a Medicare card number/coverage (only if she elects to get SSA benefits at a reduced rate). She does not want to start SS income benefits until FRA . Social security office told her she had to apply over the phone and they would call her on January 5, 2016 to discuss the issue. If it takes 30 days just to get an interview, it is likely her health care will have been dropped before she gets a Medicare card number.
Please explain why the instructions in your publications and on web sites when followed are resulting in issues and errors with her sighing up for Medicare coverage unless she answers yes to accepting SS income.
CAROLYN S.
I am 55, my husband is 71. He is currently drawing Social security, I am self-employed. I have worked for many years, but will not draw the amount he is drawing.
My question is–can I retire early at 62, draw my own benefits, then switch over to his when I reach 67?
He chose to draw less because of my age when he signed up. Thanks.
Mary j.
I was 66 yrs old on July 15th am I restricted on the amount of money I can make if I go back to work
Ray F.
Great question Mary, if you were born January 2, 1943, through January 1, 1955, then your full retirement age for retirement insurance benefits is 66. If you work and are full retirement age or older, the amount you make at work will not affect your Social Security benefits, no matter how much you earn. Please read our publication “How Work Affects Your Benefits” for more information.