50+ Lifestyles

YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY Davenport, Iowa Office

By Karen Cole
Social Security District Manager
Davenport, Iowa

FAST MEDICARE COVERAGE EVEN WHEN YOU’RE NOT RETIRED

You’ve made your decision: although you’re eligible to collect Social Security payments, you’re going to keep working and delay receiving your retirement benefits.

But don’t forget about Medicare. Even if you decide to wait until after you are age 65 to apply for retirement benefits, most people should apply for Medicare coverage at age 65. If you’d like to begin your Medicare coverage, you should apply within four months of reaching age 65.

There’s a fast, convenient, and simple way to apply online for Medicare in as little as 10 minutes — even if you’re not ready to receive retirement benefits. Just visit www.socialsecurity.gov/medicareonly.

At the website, you’ll find more than just the online Medicare application. You’ll also find information about Medicare, and have the opportunity to watch a short, fun video reuniting the cast of The Patty Duke Show to tell you about the ease and convenience of filing for Medicare online.

It’s important to note that people who already receive Social Security retirement or disability benefits do not need to apply for Medicare; they will be automatically enrolled.

There is no additional charge for Medicare hospital insurance (Part A) since you already paid for it by working and paying Medicare tax. But there is a monthly premium for medical insurance (Part B). If you already have other health insurance when you become eligible for Medicare, you should consider whether you want to apply for the medical insurance. You may want to consult with an insurance specialist. To learn more about this and other Medicare considerations, read our online publication, Medicare, at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10043.html.

YOUR SPRING TO-DO LIST

It’s spring cleaning season! There’s no better time than now to start organizing, and getting important tasks cleared off your list of important things to do. Social Security would like to share a suggested “April To-Do List” with you.

Tax deadline is Monday, April 18. The due date for 2010 Federal tax returns is Monday, April 18, 2011. If you plan to claim your children or any other dependents on your tax return, you’ll need to have a Social Security number for each individual. If you don’t already have a Social Security number for a dependant, applications and filing requirements are available online at www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber.

Request your SSA-1099 online. If you receive Social Security benefits, you may need to pay taxes on a portion of your Social Security benefits. If so, you’ll need your SSA-1099, which shows the total amount of benefits received in the previous year. An SSA-1099 was mailed to you in January showing the total amount of benefits you received in 2010. If you receive Social Security and have not yet received a 1099 for 2010, or you lost the one we sent you, you can request a replacement online at www.socialsecurity.gov/1099.

Medicare Open Season ended on March 31. If you miss the deadline, you will have to wait until 2012. You can learn more about Medicare by reading our electronic booklet, Medicare at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10043.html. Or, visit the Medicare website at www.medicare.gov. You also can call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227; TTY 1-877-486-2048).

Spring may be a busy time, but if you keep this to-do list handy, staying on top of things should be a spring breeze. For more information about Social Security programs, visit www.socialsecurity.gov.

SCAMS ARE NO JOKING MATTER; DON’T BECOME AN APRIL FOOL

Being the butt of an April fool’s joke is fine when it’s good-natured fun, but no one wants to fall victim to a scam artist or identity thief.

You may think you’re safe simply by not carrying your Social Security card with you and not providing your personal information over the Internet or by email. But scam artists have become shrewd. Never reply to an email claiming to be from Social Security and asking for your Social Security number or personal information.

Identity theft is one of the fastest-growing crimes in America. If you think you’ve been the victim of an identity thief, you should contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft. Or, you can call 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338); TTY 1-866-653-4261.

Some people who receive Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits are often victimized by misleading advertisers. Often, these companies offer Social Security services for a fee, even though the same services are available directly from Social Security free of charge. These services include getting a:

• Corrected Social Security card showing a bride’s married name;
• Social Security card to replace a lost card;
• Social Security Statement; and
• Social Security number for a child.

Some direct scammers suggest that Social Security is in dire financial shape and that people risk losing their Social Security or Medicare benefits unless they send a contribution or membership fee to the advertiser.

If you receive or see what you believe is misleading advertising for Social Security services, send the complete mailing, including the envelope, to: Office of the Inspector General, Fraud Hotline, Social Security Administration, P.O. Box 17768, Baltimore, MD 21235. Also, advise your State’s attorney general or consumer affairs office and the Better Business Bureau.

You can learn more about identity theft at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10064.html. Read about mislead Please don’t let a scam artist or identity thief make an April fool out of you.