Social Security has the answers

Dear Savvy Senior,

Does Social Security offer any public education or outreach services? I belong to a small ladies group at my church and many of us are nearing retirement age and have lots of questions. What can you recommend?

Seeking Security

Dear Seeking,

The Social Security Administration is always looking for opportunities to educate Americans about their programs, benefits, and services.

Speakers

Many people don?t know that Social Security offers a free speaker?s bureau service that provides educational presentations, seminars, classes or workshops. At your request, speakers will work with small and large groups covering anything you want to know about Social Security, as well as answer your questions and provide additional handout materials. Social Security speakers are often requested by businesses, civic organizations, senior centers, local clubs, church groups, etc., educating people in the areas of retirement benefits/when to retire, disability, SSI, spouses and divorced spouses benefits, widows/widowers benefits, how work affects your benefits, government pension offset, taxable benefits, identity theft and more. You can make a request for a Social Security speaker online at www.socialsecurity.gov/organizations, or by calling your local Social Security office. (Note: If you request a speaker online, it will indicate for groups of 50 or more, but most local offices provide speakers for small groups under 10, too).

Free Publications

Social Security also offers more than 90 different publications covering all areas of Social Security. To get a complete listing or to read these publications online, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs. You can also call 800-772-1213 and have them mailed to you free of charge. When you call, just tell the agent what kind of information you?re looking for and they can recommend the right publication. In addition, Social Security offers some publications in Spanish and for those who are blind or visually impaired. Publications include:

? Understanding the Benefits

? What Every Woman Should Know

? Retirement Benefits

? Disability Benefits

? What You Need to Know When You Get Retirement or Survivors Benefits

? Supplemental Security Income

? How Work Affects Your Benefits

? Identity Theft And Your Social Security Number

* The Future of Social Security

Online Services

If you have access to the Internet, the Social Security Web site is the easiest and fastest way to get information and assistance. At www.socialsecurity.gov you can find information on just about every aspect of Social Security as well as estimate your future benefits with their online calculators, request a Social Security statement, apply for retirement or disability benefits, request or change your direct deposit, replace, correct or make name changes on your Medicare or Social Security card, ask questions via e-mail, sign up for the free e-newsletter and much more.

Telephone Services

If you don?t have Internet access you can also get information, ask questions or apply for benefits over the phone. Social Security?s toll-free number (800-772-1213) operates from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. People who are deaf or hard of hearing may call the TTY number, 800-325-0778.