There’s Plenty You Should Know About Social Security Disability Benefits!

Posted on January 19, 2017 by Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications

Life is unpredictable. When something interrupts your plans, it’s good to know there’s a way to supplement your income, in case of an unexpected life event.

Social Security has a strict definition of disability based on your inability to work and provide for yourself and your family. Disability benefits are available only to people with impairments so severe that they prevent any kind of significant, profitable work. Social Security pays only for total disability. No benefits are payable for partial disability or for short-term disability. Continue reading →

Finding Value—and my Social Security—in light of Budget Cuts

Posted on January 9, 2017 by Doug Walker, Deputy Commissioner, Communications

Every payday, you have Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) and Self-Employed Contributions Act (SECA) taxes deducted from your paycheck. Nearly all of these contributions are used to pay Social Security benefits to more than 60 million retired, disabled, and widowed workers and their children, as well as to Medicare beneficiaries. A very small amount also helps pay for the work it takes to manage Social Security programs.

Providing Social Security services to the public is a big job. We have fewer than 64,000 employees in offices across the country handling millions of transactions yearly — taking applications, answering questions in person and on the phone, verifying benefit amounts, and reviewing appeals, among other things. The cost of doing these services is less than one penny out of each dollar paid in FICA and SECA taxes, which is a very good value. Continue reading →

2017 Brings New Changes to Full Retirement Age

Posted on January 6, 2017 by Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications

Every worker’s dream is to enjoy a secure retirement. Social Security is here to secure today and tomorrow. Part of that commitment is ensuring you have the most up-to-date information when you make your retirement decisions.

As the bells ring in the New Year, they also bring changes for new Social Security retirement beneficiaries. Full retirement age is 66 and two months for people born 01/02/1955 through 01/01/1956. They are eligible to receive permanently reduced retirement benefits when they turn 62 in 2017. Continue reading →

Appeal Your Non-Medical Decisions Online

Posted on December 12, 2016 by Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications

Social Security has a new way for you to conduct business with us online. You no longer need to visit our offices or call us to appeal a denial or adverse action related to your benefits. Beginning December 10, 2016, you can file an appeal online for non-medical issues, even if you live outside the United States. Examples of non-medical appeals include those for overpayments and Medicare premium rates. Continue reading →

Share the Gift of Security

Posted on December 5, 2016 by Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications

We have all received gifts we’ve wanted to return: ugly socks or sweaters that look exactly like the one you got (or gave!) last year. Sometimes, just letting loved ones know that you’re there for them, no matter what, is the best gift of all. And you avoid the embarrassment of giving an awkward gift! Social Security is also there for you and your family — all year long. Continue reading →

With the New Year Comes New Changes

Posted on November 28, 2016 by Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications

Monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits will see a slight increase in 2017.

Some other adjustments that take effect in January of each year are based on the increase in average wages. Based on that increase, the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax (taxable maximum) will increase to $127,200 from $118,500. Of the estimated 173 million workers who will pay Social Security taxes in 2017, about 12 million will pay more because of the increase in the taxable maximum. Continue reading →

What is Social Security?

Posted on November 16, 2016 by Doug Walker, Deputy Commissioner, Communications

Myths and Facts About Social Security’s Disability Program

Posted on November 4, 2016 by Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications

We Need Your Insights on Telehealth and Telemedicine

Posted on October 11, 2016 by Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications

What is the National Disability Forum?

The National Disability Forum is an open conversation where members of the public, community leaders, and Social Security employees come together to talk about the disability programs. Social Security uses these meetings to listen to you and your community leaders so we can learn what’s important to you.

Your input is important to Social Security. We use what we learn from you and your community to improve our rules and policies to help people with disabilities. The National Disability Forum does not replace Social Security’s normal rule-making process, but it does help us hear from you before we make any new rules. Learn more about the National Disability Forum here. Continue reading →