Looking Back and Looking Forward
Posted: January 17, 2011
We’d like to share our 2011 Performance and Accountability Report with you. The report combines the agency's annual performance report with its audited financial statements to provide full disclosure of financial and programmatic operations. It also describes Social Security's programs and organization, and how the agency benefits the public and achieves its mission
Please look for it at www.socialsecurity.gov/finance/.
We look forward to working with you to reach our common goals in 2012. Happy New Year from all of us at Social Security.
Patty Duke Applies Online for Social Security and Medicare
Posted: January 5, 2012
After years of telling people they can apply online for Social Security in their pajamas, Patty Duke has taken her own advice. Duke, who turned 65 in December, applied online for retirement and Medicare benefits from home at www.socialsecurity.gov.
“I urge my fellow baby boomers to go online to www.socialsecurity.gov," said Duke. "If you’re not sure how to get started on the computer, ask a loved one to help you out. I did, and it was so easy.”
Social Security and Medicare in 2012
Posted: December 21, 2011
Remember, the 3.6 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with Social Security payments in January 2012. Increased payments for SSI beneficiaries will begin on December 30, 2011. The standard Medicare Part B monthly premium will be $99.90 in 2012.
For people who did not enroll in Medicare Part B during their initial enrollment period at age 65, the annual "general enrollment period" runs from January 1 to March 31, 2012. Coverage begins on July 1 of the year a person enrolls. Monthly premiums increase 10 percent for each 12-month period a person was eligible for, but did not enroll in, Medicare Part B.
Social Security During the Holidays
Posted: December 12, 2011
The holiday season is the busiest time of year for many people and businesses and it is certainly a busy time for Social Security. That's why we encourage anyone who needs to do business with Social Security over the busy holiday season to go online to www.socialsecurity.gov. If you need to call or visit a Social Security office, we will be closed December 26, 2011 for Christmas and January 2, 2012 for New Year's.
If you need to do business with Social Security during the holidays, you may experience more busy signals on the telephone and longer wait times in local offices.
Don Francisco Spreads the Word about Social Security's Spanish Website
Posted: December 9, 2011
There's an expanded suite of services offered in Spanish at www.segurosocial.gov. One of the new services is the ability to apply online for Social Security retirement and Medicare benefits in Spanish. Visitors to the site also can apply for Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug costs, use the Retirement Estimator, and read a number of publications. It's all available in Spanish at www.segurosocial.gov today!
Don Francisco, host of the television show Sabado Gigante (or Giant Saturday) since 1962, is helping us spread the news with a series of television Public Service Announcements.
