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Social Security Online for Human Resource Managers

Excerpt: This site provides information to human resource managers regarding the various Social Security programs and Medicare and is a valuable resource in helping your employees plan for retirement or other life events.

SSA Resumes Mailing Social Security Statements, Encourages People to Create a Secure My Social Security Account to View Their Statements Online

"'We have listened to our customers, advocates, and Congress; and renewing the mailing of the Statement reinforces our commitment to provide the public with an easy, efficient way to obtain an estimate of their future Social Security benefits,' Acting Commissioner Colvin said. 'I encourage everyone to create their own secure my Social Security account to obtain immediate access to their Statement online, anytime.'"

Social Security's Recent Enhancements to Online Retirement Estimator

Excerpt: Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, today announced that the online Retirement Estimator, available at www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator, now can provide immediate and personalized benefit estimates to people who have enrolled in Medicare but have not yet filed for Social Security benefits. Previously, these 'Medicare only' beneficiaries would need to contact a local office in order to obtain an estimate of their benefits.

Social Security Statements Now Available Online

"Once you've created a Social Security Account, you can log in anytime and: Estimate the retirement, disability and survivor benefits available to you under different work, earnings and retirement age scenarios. Estimate benefits for which your family would be eligible when you receive Social Security or die. View a list of your lifetime earnings to date, according to Social Security's records. See the estimated Social Security and Medicare taxes you've paid over your working career."

A Comparison of Free Online Tools for Individuals Deciding When to Claim Social Security Benefits

"This note provides information on six publicly available online retirement planning tools that focus primarily or exclusively on the Social Security claiming decision. It explains their advantages and limitations, what types of information the tools require of the user (inputs), and what types of information the tools provide (outputs).... The six tools ... are available to the public, do not require the user to create an account with the organization, and are free to use."

A Veterans Day Deal for Maximizing Social Security Benefits: One-Day Free Access to Online Planning Tool

"Kiplinger Washington Editors ..., Social Security Solutions and Wells Fargo are partnering to offer one-day free access to an online retirement planning tool for all active-duty and retired military members and their widows or widowers. With this report, military families will get recommended strategies for claiming Social Security and explanations about how the choices affect what they'll get.... The free online tool for military folks will only be available Monday [November 11] at www.socialsecurityforveterans.com."

Online Calculator Maximizes Your Social Security Benefits

Would you be interested if I said there was a way to increase the value of your Social Security benefits by 15 or 20 percent? Then listen up.

Online IRS Tax Withholding Estimator Helps Retirees; Figures Tax on Social Security Benefits

"The new tool offers retirees, as well as employees and self-employed individuals, a more user-friendly way to check their withholding. Whether they receive wages or pension payments, it helps taxpayers estimate if the right amount is being withheld from their income to cover their tax liability. The estimator uses a simple, six-step question-and-answer format using information like marital or filing status, income, withholding, adjustments, deductions and credits."

Interview with Edward Gramlich on Social Security -- Getting Some Perspective

Excerpt: In a U.S. Social Security debate in which partisans cite facts selectively to justify their positions, newspaper columnists occasionally turn for perspective to veterans .... One is Edward 'Ned' Gramlich, a U.S. Federal Reserve governor who chaired a Social Security advisory commission a decade ago. [M]r. Gramlich argues that it's time to fix Social Security. He advocates private accounts -- as long as they're on top of Social Security, not created by diverting payroll[.]

Social Security Administration Updates Identity Proofing Requirements, Delays Implementation

"Under the updated policy, now slated to take effect April 14, 2025, individuals applying for Social Security Disability Insurance, Medicare or Supplementary Security Income who cannot use their personal 'my Social Security' account online can complete their claim entirely over the telephone, without the need to come into an office.... Individuals who cannot use their personal online my Social Security account to apply for benefits will only need to provide proof of their identity at a Social Security office if applying for Retirement, Survivors or Auxiliary (spouse or child) benefits. The SSA said it will enforce online digital identity proofing or in-person identity proofing for these cases."