50+ Lifestyles

YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY Davenport, Iowa Office

By Mark Owens
Social Security District Manager
Davenport, Iowa

Davenport, Iowa Social Security Office to Close to the Public a Half Hour Early Each Day and at Noon on Wednesdays

Effective November 19, 2012, the Davenport, Iowa Social Security office will be open to the public Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. – a reduction of 30 minutes each weekday. In addition, beginning January 2, 2013, the office will close to the public at noon every Wednesday.

While agency employees will continue to work their regular hours, this shorter public window will allow them to complete face-to-face interviews and process claims work without incurring the cost of overtime. The significantly reduced funding provided by Congress under the continuing resolution for the first six months of the fiscal year makes it impossible for the agency to provide the overtime needed to handle service to the public as it has done in the past.

In addition, on November 23, the day after Thanksgiving, all Social Security field offices will be closed to the public. As we did last year, employees working that day will focus on reducing backlogged workloads.

Most Social Security services do not require a visit to a local office. Many services, including applying for retirement, disability or Medicare benefits, signing up for direct deposit, replacing a Medicare card, obtaining a proof of income letter or informing us of a change of address or telephone number are conveniently available at www.socialsecurity.gov or by dialing our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213. People who are deaf or hard of hearing may call our TTY number, 1-800-325-0778. Many of our online services also are available in Spanish at www.segurosocial.gov.

EVEN THE DARK OF WINTER LOOKS BRIGHTER AT www.socialsecurity.gov

According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, winter arrives at 6:12 a.m. eastern standard time on December 21.

For many people, winter means shorter days, chillier temperatures and more time indoors. There are many ways you can use that extra time inside. For example, you may want to spend a few minutes checking your earnings history and getting an estimate of your future Social Security benefits at www.socialsecurity.gov/mystatement, where you can access your online Social Security Statement.

If you’re planning to apply for Social Security retirement benefits, you can do that without going outside or visiting an office. Instead, brew yourself a cup of coffee or tea and sit down at your computer from the comfort of your home to apply online. Chances are your hot beverage will last longer than the time it takes to apply online for retirement benefits. Our website makes the retirement application process quick, easy, and secure. In most cases, once your application is submitted electronically, you’re done. There are no forms to sign and usually no documentation is required. Social Security will process your application and contact you if any further information is needed.

You can use the online application to apply for Social Security retirement or spouses benefits if you:
• Are at least 61 years and 9 months old; and
• Want to start your benefits in the next four months.

Before starting, we suggest you have the following information on hand:
• Your date and place of birth and Social Security number;
• Your bank or financial institution’s routing transit number and the account number for direct deposit of your benefits;
• The amount of money you earned last year and this year. If you are applying for benefits in the months of September through December, you also will need to estimate next year’s earnings;
• The name and address of your employer(s) for this year and last year;
• The beginning and ending dates of any active U.S. military service you had before 1968;
• The name, Social Security number, and date of birth or age of your current spouse and any former spouse. You also should know the dates and places of marriage and dates of divorce or death (if appropriate); and
• Your Social Security Statement. (Remember you can get your Social Security Statement online at www.socialsecurity.gov/mystatement.)

So if you are staying indoors this winter, visit www.socialsecurity.gov. Your time online may brighten even the darkest day of the season.

THE MEDICARE AGE IS STILL 65

If you’re in your sixties, you probably know that the age to receive full retirement benefits has changed. But it’s important to remember that the age to begin receiving Medicare has not — it is still 65. Even if you have decided to wait until after you are age 65 to apply for retirement benefits, most people should start getting Medicare coverage at age 65.

If you would like to begin your Medicare coverage when you first become eligible, we suggest that you apply within three months of reaching age 65. You can do it online in as little as 10 minutes at 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 some short videos about applying for Medicare online. One is a family reunion for the cast of The Patty Duke Show. In another, Patty Duke and George Takei go boldly where you should be going — online.

Why go online to apply for Medicare? Because it’s fast, easy, and secure. You don’t need an appointment and you can avoid waiting in traffic or in line. As long as you have ten minutes to spare, you have time to complete and submit your online Medicare application.

People who started receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits before age 65 do not need to apply; they will be automatically enrolled in Medicare.

There is no additional charge for Medicare hospital insurance (Part A) since you already paid for it by working and paying Medicare tax. However, 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. To learn more about Medicare and some options for choosing coverage, read the online publication, Medicare, at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10043.html or visit www.Medicare.gov.

To learn more about applying for Medicare Only using the online application, please visit www.socialsecurity.gov/medicareonly.