Social Security Provides Protection
Everyone in the military pays into Social Security. Social Security provides protection
in four areas:
-
Retirement income: Retirement benefits may be paid as early as age 62.
-
Disability insurance: Disability benefits are paid at any age to those who
qualify.
-
Medicare medical insurance: Medicare coverage is available at age 65. If
you're disabled, then you may be eligible earlier.
-
Survivors' insurance: Upon your death, benefits are paid to your survivors at any
age, assuming they qualify.
Checking Your Account Status
Transition is a good time to ensure that your Social Security account has been properly
posted. Check your account now, and check it again every few years. Here's how:
Information on Social Security benefits is available from any local Social Security office;
these are listed in the telephone book under "U.S. Government." You can also go to
http://www.ssa.gov/ or call
1-800-772-1213. Explain that you would like to check your account balance. The Social
Security office will send you a form. Fill it out and mail it back. You will receive your
account information in a few weeks. Read the statement closely. If there are errors, this
is the time to get them corrected.
Date Last Reviewed: July 2, 2009
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