SOCIAL SECURITY

News Release

Nation’s First Baby Boomer Files for
Social Security Retirement Benefits -- Online!

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At an event hosted by Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, the nation's first Baby Boomer, Kathleen Casey-Kirschling, today filed for her Social Security retirement benefits online at www.socialsecurity.gov.  Ms. Casey-Kirschling, who was born one second after midnight on January 1, 1946, will be eligible for benefits beginning January 2008.

“I know how important Social Security benefits are to Americans of all walks of life,” Commissioner Astrue said.  “Today, Kathy has reached a personal milestone – she has made the transition from the workforce to retirement.  I could not be more pleased that she has chosen to make this transition by filing for her benefits online.”  To find out what Social Security services are available online go to www.socialsecurity.gov/onlineservices.

As the nation’s first Baby Boomer, Ms. Casey-Kirschling is leading what is often referred to as America’s silver tsunami.  Over the next two decades, nearly 80 million Americans will become eligible for Social Security benefits, more than 10,000 per day.  To prepare for this wave of new filers, Social Security has developed a wide range of online services.

“Filing for Social Security benefits online is easy and convenient,” said Ms. Casey-Kirschling.  “I urge my fellow Baby Boomers to give Social Security’s online services a try.  Save a trip and do business with Social Security from the comfort of your home or office.”

Social Security’s online services are convenient and secure.  In The Federal American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) Scorecard, Social Security’s online benefit application has the highest score among all federal websites followed closely by Social Security’s application for extra help with Medicare drug costs.  ACSI notes “Their respective scores of 88 and 87 put them in the elite company of online private sector satisfaction leaders like Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.”

“Social Security provides economic protection to millions of Americans and their families,” Commissioner Astrue said.  “And we remain committed to providing the public with the highest quality service possible.  Boomers have always been a generation of trendsetters.  Kathy is leading the way by doing business with Social Security online.”

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To view the event, click here. [Disclaimer]

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