Social Security: What’s hot at Social Security?
In most parts of the country, when you think of September, you think of cookouts, end of summer, hot temperatures, and hot barbecue grills in the back yard.
If Social Security doesn’t leap to mind when you think of things that are hot, here are some good things we’ve got cooking at Social Security.
Our Web site
Social Security’s Web site is one of the hottest online services in all of government. Every day, more than 100,000 people visit our site to do everything from looking for answers, to commonly asked questions, to filing for Social Security benefits, to researching historical or statistical information for a variety of projects and purposes. Check it out yourself at www.socialsecurity.gov.
Our electronic newsletter
In the world of electronic newsletters, you can’t get much hotter than “eNews” from Social Security. In fact, with more than 250,000 subscribers, it is the third most popular online subscription newsletter in the world!
Each monthly issue is packed with the latest news from Social Security and with helpful tidbits of information to help you better understand Social Security’s programs and benefits. To subscribe, simply get on the Internet and go to www.socialsecurity.gov/enews.
Our benefit calculators
One of the hottest services we’ve ever provided is the Social Security Statement. You probably get one every year, and it gives you estimates of your future Social Security benefits. But that estimate assumes two things: it assumes you’re going to keep working until you’re at least 62 years old; and it assumes you’re going to keep making about the same amount of money you’re currently making (with a small inflation adjustment factor).
If either of those assumptions are different for you, then that’s where our hot new service, online benefit calculators, comes in. You can use them to get different benefit estimates using different earnings scenarios or different retirement dates.
You’ll find the calculators at www.socialsecurity.gov/planners/calculators.htm.
You may have noticed a trend. Everything I’ve discussed that’s “hot” at Social Security involves an online service. Although it’s true that the online world is here to stay, I don’t want to imply that good, old-fashioned face-to-face service is a relic of the bygone days.
Those of us at the McMinnville Social Security office are here to serve you in person if that’s your preference.
Try calling our staff at our toll-free service first: 1-800-772-1213. If they can’t help you over the phone, you can make an appointment to visit our office. It’s located at 931 Old Smithville Highway, across the bypass from Wal-Mart super center.