SSA: What Can I do Online?

Let’s be honest…we all have better things to do then stand in line at the Social Security office or sit on hold with the SSA hotline. How can this be avoided though? There’s an easy answer- ”My Social Security”.

My Social Security is a secure online account you can setup to access your information anytime and anywhere. You can review your annual earnings, which is great because your Social Security retirement is calculated based on your yearly earnings so it’s important to verify they have the right numbers. With this online account you can review and print your SSA earning statements to understand what benefits you and/or your family may receive. If you are already receiving benefits you can manage them online. You can setup or change your direct deposit. Moving? You can change your address online so you don’t miss any updates from SSA.

Applying for state or local benefits, loan, mortgage, or assisted housing income? You may need to prove that you do or do not receive SS Retirement benefits,  Supplemental Security benefits (SSD/SSDI), and/or Medicare. With the My Social Security account you can instantly print a verification letter. Lose your Social Security card?  Some states allow you to apply online for a new one. All from the comfort of your home.

On the Social Security website there are also some great interactive tools. There’s a Retirement Age Calculator, which allows you to find your full retirement age (your monthly benefits may be reduced if your retire too soon).  There’s a Retirement Estimator so you can get an idea of monthly benefits based on your actual Social Security earnings record. Thinking of applying for supplemental Social Security (SSD/SSDI) benefits? There’s even a Benefit Eligibility tool which serves as a quick checklist to see if you potentially qualify for benefits. This only to name a few resources on the site!

Honesty is the best policy. Here at AyudaCon.com we make it clear that the resources to help you apply or plan for public benefits is out there. It’s a matter of sitting down and taking the time to locate then utilize such tools. To be clear, many of these resources are not always in any language besides English, but there are interpreters through the Social Security hotline. If you would prefer to employ an agent to perform these services on your behalf contact AyudaCon.com for more information on our services and fees.