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YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY Rock Island, Illinois Office

By Christina Vital
Manager
Rock Island Social Security office

George Takei and Patty Duke Join Forces to Tell Americans to Boldly Go to www.socialsecurity.gov

Using Social Security’s Online Services Are So Easy “Even Kirk Could Do It”

Cyberspace: the final frontier. These are the voyages of George Takei and Patty Duke. Their mission: to seek out baby boomers and people of all ages and tell them to Boldly Go to www.socialsecurity.gov

Entertainment icons George Takei and Patty Duke have teamed up to tell Americans to Boldly Go to www.socialsecurity.gov to apply for retirement, disability, Medicare, and so much more. The two celebrities are joining forces in a new campaign to help the Social Security Administration promote its online services as an easy and secure way for people to do business with the agency.

“Social Security has a great website and the top-rated online services in the U.S.,” said Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security. “We now have a fun new way to get the word out. Having George join forces with Patty will help us reach the millions of people who can take advantage of this convenient way of doing business with Social Security. Boldly Go to www.socialsecurity.gov to plan for your retirement and to apply online so that you too may live long and prosper.”

“Won’t filing for Social Security benefits online be confusing?” George asks Patty in one of eight new commercials. “It’s simple and easy,” Patty assures George. “It’s so easy, even Kirk could do it.”

Those ready to retire, apply for disability benefits, or delay retirement and apply only for Medicare, can do so from the comfort of their home or from any computer. Two million people took advantage of Social Security’s convenient online benefit applications last year. People already receiving Social Security benefits can go online to let Social Security know about a change of address or phone number, start or change direct deposit, get a proof of income letter, or replace a lost Medicare card.

Social Security’s website “is for everyone,” Patty tells George in another spot. Workers can get an online estimate of their future retirement benefits and use Social Security’s planners to plan for a secure retirement. In addition, Patty says, “Young people can help their grandparents with retiring online or getting extra help with their Medicare prescription drug costs.” To which George concludes, “Everyone, of all ages, should go to www.socialsecurity.gov.”

Social Security’s online services not only provide a convenient option for the public, they are a lifeline for the agency in a time of fast growing workloads as baby boomers begin retiring in record numbers and millions more need Social Security’s services due to the economic downturn.

To learn more about Social Security’s online services and to view the new George Takei and Patty Duke public service announcements, Boldly Go to www.socialsecurity.gov. Like George, you may find yourself saying, “Oh my!”

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.