50+ Lifestyles

YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY | Davenport, Iowa Office

By Pam Shaw
Social Security District Manager
Davenport Social Security Office

HOW MUCH DID YOU EARN AT YOUR FIRST JOB? SOCIAL SECURITY CAN TELL YOU

Ever wonder how much you earned the year you worked your first job?  Or any other year you worked?  You can find out by reviewing your Social Security earnings record.

Your earnings record shows your income for each year worked and your progress toward your future Social Security benefits. We keep track of your earnings so we can pay you the benefits you’ve earned over your lifetime. That’s why it’s important for you to review your Social Security earnings record.

While it’s your employer’s responsibility to provide accurate earnings information to us, you should still review your earnings history and inform us of any errors or omissions.  This is so you get credit for the contributions you’ve made through payroll taxes.  You’re the only person who can look at your lifetime earnings record and verify that it’s complete and correct.  If an employer didn’t properly report even just one year of your earnings to us, your future benefit payments could be less than they should be.  Over the course of a lifetime, that could cost you tens of thousands of dollars in retirement or other benefits to which you are entitled.  It’s important to identify and report errors as soon as possible.  As time passes, you may no longer have easy access to past tax documents.  Also, some employers may no longer exist or be able to provide past payroll information.

The easiest way to verify your earnings record is to visit www.ssa.gov/myaccount and create or sign in to your personal my Social Security account. You should review each year of listed earnings carefully and confirm them using your own records, such as W-2s and tax returns. Keep in mind that earnings from this year and last year may not be listed yet.

You can find out how to correct your Social Security earnings record by reading our publication How to Correct Your Social Security Earnings Record at www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10081.pdf.

Let your friends and family know they can access important information like this any time at www.ssa.gov and do much of their business with us online.

SOCIAL SECURITY CELEBRATES THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT

This year, we celebrate 33 years of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and its importance to many beneficiaries.  We’re committed to the principles and spirit of the ADA, and the way it improves the lives of millions.  Matt’s story is an example of how the ADA and our Ticket to Work (Ticket) Program can help beneficiaries achieve their career goals.

As a job seeker who is deaf and needs accommodations, Matt was reluctant to tell prospective employers about his disability.  He worried that employers would not hire him if they knew about his disability. That’s when Matt connected with our Ticket Program.  This program supports career development for people ages 18 to 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits and want to work.  Through this free and voluntary program, approved service providers offer supports and services as participants move toward financial independence through work.

Matt learned how his employment might affect his benefits.  He also learned that our Medicare-related work incentive allows him to pursue a career without worrying about health care coverage. If Matt’s disability interfered with work, he could return to receiving benefits without having to file a new application through the expedited reinstatement process.

Matt now works full-time as a human resource analyst.  Thanks to the ADA, he received accommodations for the interview process and on the job. He also found that the Ticket Program helped him find a path to a better future.  You can learn more about the Ticket Program at www.choosework.ssa.gov.

Our online booklet, Your Ticket to Work: What You Need to Know to Keep it Working for You, found at www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10062.pdf, provides detailed information about the program.

You can learn more about Matt’s story at www.choosework.ssa.gov/library/matt-success-story.

Please share these resources with your loved ones.

QUESTION AND ANSWER

Question:

I know that Social Security’s full retirement age is gradually rising to 67. But does this mean the “early” retirement age will also go up by two years, from age 62 to 64?

Answer:

No. While it is true that under current law the full retirement age is gradually rising from 65 to 67, the “early” retirement age remains at 62. Keep in mind, however, that taking early retirement reduces your benefit amount. For more information about Social Security benefits, visit www.ssa.gov/planners/retire.

Question:

I’m trying to decide when to retire. Can Social Security help?

Answer:

The best place to start is with a visit to the online Social Security Statement. The Statement provides you with estimates of benefits for you and your family as well as your earnings record and information you should consider about retirement and retirement planning. It is easy to access your statement online by creating a my Social Security account.

To create an account, please visit www.ssa.gov/myaccount. The “right” time to retire is different for everyone and depends on your individual situation. To help you make your own decision, we offer an online fact sheet, When To Start Receiving Retirement Benefits, that highlights some of the factors to consider. Find this publication at www.ssa.gov/pubs/10147.html.