Social Security Commissioner Testifies Before Congress

Social Security Releases Open Government Plan

Financial Literacy Month: Focus on Your Retirement Planning

Help Mom this Mother’s Day with Extra Help

Recognizing Earth Day for 40 Years

Enjoy Social Security’s Photo Album

Follow Us on Facebook and Twitter

Social Security Commissioner Testifies Before Congress

Social Security Commissioner Michael Astrue provided congressional testimony at three hearings this month before committees with jurisdiction over the agency.

On 4/14, the Commissioner testified before the House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Labor, HHS, Education and Related Agencies, regarding the President’s FY 2011 budget request for SSA. In defending the need for timely action on the agency’s budget, the Commissioner explained how the economic downturn and the aging of the baby boomers is causing more Americans than ever before to turn to Social Security for assistance. You can learn more at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/legislation/testimony_041410.htm.

On 4/15, Commissioner Astrue appeared before the House Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Social Security to explain how the agency is providing measurable, positive results for the American people. Learn what specific actions the agency is taking to improve service by reading his testimony at www.ssa.gov/legislation/testimony_041510.htm.

On 4/27, Commissioner Astrue testified before a joint hearing of the House Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support and Subcommittee on Social Security, to describe the progress the agency is making on reducing the disability backlogs and improving the disability process.   Read his testimony and learn more at http://www.ssa.gov/legislation/testimony_042710.htm.

Social Security Releases Open Government Plan

Social Security is pleased to announce the debut of our Open Government Plan. It reflects our commitment to increase transparency, expand opportunities for citizen participation and collaboration, and make open government more sustainable at Social Security. The agency is particularly proud of three flagship initiatives: a Spanish-Language Retirement Estimator, an Online Service Enhancement Initiative, and an Online Life-Expectancy Calculator. They support the agency’s mission, goals, and objectives, and showcase the value of open government principles.

We developed our plan with input from many sources, including ideas submitted through our Open Government web portal. We invite you to read and comment on the plan by visiting www.socialsecurity.gov/open. Your feedback will help us shape how we implement and strengthen our Open Government Plan.

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Financial Literacy Month: Focus on Your Retirement Planning

April is Financial Literacy Month—a time for all Americans to focus on understanding financial issues that can help shape the course of their lives. One of the most important financial issues for any worker and his or her spouse is retirement planning.

One of the best places to start your retirement planning
is with Social Security’s Retirement Planner at www.socialsecurity.gov/retire2. Here you can use our online Retirement Estimator to test different retirement ages, learn how you can maximize your retirement benefit by delaying retirement, and find out how working after retirement might affect your benefits.

We also recommend a visit to www.mymoney.gov. This government site has a wealth of information from multiple agencies covering virtually every financial issue that Americans may face over the course of a lifetime—from buying a home to financing college to saving for retirement.

Help Mom this Mother’s Day with Extra Help

This Mother’s Day, tell your mom or someone you love about changes in the law that make it easier than ever to qualify for Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug plan costs. Thanks to a change in the law effective January 1, 2010, more people may qualify for an average of $3,900 in prescription drug savings. 

For more information, go to www.socialsecurity.gov/extrahelp. It’s easy to help your mom apply for Extra Help. Just complete Social Security’s online Application for Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs. Also, you can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to apply over the phone or request an application, or you can apply at a local Social Security office.

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Recognizing Earth Day for 40 Years

While Earth Day—April 22—officially celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, Social Security is committed to conserving energy and reducing waste every day. Some Social Security buildings across the nation sport high-efficiency lighting, solar hot water heating systems, high-performance windows, solar lighting in parking lots, improved HVAC systems, chilled water system improvements, and more.

Learn about these and other green improvements at www.socialsecurity.gov/pgm/earthday.htm. And for more about Earth Day, check out www.earthday.gov.

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Enjoy Social Security’s Photo Album

Social Security has launched a new website to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the nation’s most successful domestic program. You can join in the celebration by visiting the Social Security's 75th Anniversary page at www.socialsecurity.gov/75thanniversary.

Take a stroll through history by enjoying the photo gallery, including pictures of various Presidents and their involvement with Social Security from Roosevelt to Obama. There are even pictures of Social Security’s original headquarters, first computer, first laptop, and much more. Enjoy Social Security’s photo album at www.socialsecurity.gov/75thanniversary.

Follow Us on Facebook and Twitter

Social Security recently launched Facebook and Twitter pages. We hope these electronic avenues will help us reach more people who can benefit from our online information and services.

To follow us on Facebook, go to www.facebook.com/socialsecurity and select “Become a fan.”

To follow us on Twitter, just go to www.twitter.com/socialsecurity and select “Follow Social Security” to receive our messages.

We encourage anyone interested in Social Security to join us on Facebook and Twitter and spread the word to others about these new ways to get the latest information about Social Security.

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