SOCIAL SECURITY

News Release

Social Security Presents America’s Favorite Baby Names for 2006:
Emily and Jacob Maintain their Streaks; Elvis still Lives

This Mother’s Day, show someone you love how much you care

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In what has become a Mother’s Day tradition, Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, today announced the top baby names in the United States for 2006. 

“Based on more than 4.2 million Social Security card applications for children born last year, mothers and fathers have picked Emily and Jacob as the most popular baby names for the eighth year in a row,” said Commissioner Astrue.  “I invite everybody to visit our website to view the new list and for Mother’s Day to check to see if their loved ones qualify for the Medicare extra help program.”

Please click on the Most Popular Baby Names link at Social Security’s website -- www.socialsecurity.gov -- to see the top baby names for 2006. The top ten boys and girls names for 2006 are:

Emily has been the most popular female name each year since 1996.  Jacob has been the top male name since 1999.  Sophia is new to the top ten for the first time and William returns after a one year absence.  Elvis lives on at number 761.

In addition to a list of the 1,000 most popular baby names for 2006, there is a list of the most popular baby names for each state.  Also, there is a list of the top 100 names for twins born in 2006.  Jacob and Joshua are again the most popular twin’s names.

Social Security started compiling baby name lists in 1997.  Today, the Social Security website offers lists of baby names for each year since 1880.

This Mother’s Day, show someone you love how much you care

This Mother’s Day, Social Security is showing people how they can help their loved ones get assistance with their Medicare prescription drug costs.  Extra help can pay part of the monthly premiums, annual deductibles and prescription co-payments.

“The high cost of medicine can be a burden on people who have limited income and resources,” Astrue said.  “This Mother’s Day show someone you love how much you care.  Tell your loved ones about the extra help that is available to pay part of their Medicare prescription drug costs and then help them apply.  The extra help could be worth more than $3,000 per year.”

To find out if a loved one is eligible, Social Security will need to know their income and the value of their savings, investments and real estate (other than the home they live in).  To qualify for the extra help, they must be receiving Medicare and have:

• Income limited to $15,315 for an individual or $20,535 for a married couple living together.  Even if their annual income is higher, they still may be able to get some help with monthly premiums, annual deductibles and prescription co-payments.  Some examples where income may be higher include if they or their spouse:
• Support other family members who live with them;
• Have earnings from work; or
• Live in Alaska or Hawaii; and
• Resources limited to $11,710 for an individual or $23,410 for a married couple living together.  Resources include such things as bank accounts, stocks and bonds.  Social Security does not count their house and car as resources.

Social Security has an easy-to-use online application at www.socialsecurity.gov that anyone -- family members, friends and caregivers -- can complete.  People can also apply by phone at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visit their local Social Security office.

To learn more about the Medicare prescription drug plans and special enrollment periods, visit www.medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227; TTY 1-877-486-2048).

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Note: Copies of most SSA press releases, as well as other Social Security information and statistics,
are available at SSA's Internet site, Social Security Online, at http://www.socialsecurity.gov.

SSA Press Office 440 Altmeyer Building 6401 Security Blvd. Baltimore, MD 21235
410-965-8904 FAX 410-966-9973