Free Social Security Benefits Letter

Your employer reports your earnings under the name that you provide. If you ever change the name that you use in your employment, you should report this change to the Social Security Administration (SSA). Otherwise, earnings may not be properly recorded, and you may not receive all of the social security credits to which you are entitled. Even if you do not work, report your name change so that your record will show the correct name when you apply for benefits. If you marry and keep your maiden name, you do not need to report your marriage to the SSA.

The SSA may stop your checks temporarily if the SSA cannot locate you because you have not reported a change of address. In addition to notifying the SSA of the address change, also notify the post office. The post office will usually forward your check if the change is not processed by the time your next check is mailed.

A change of address must be reported, even if your checks are directly deposited to a checking or savings account, so that you will continue to receive important notices and letters from the SSA.

The recipient of this letter may have questions about some of the information that you have provided or it may require additional information. Therefore, your letter should explain how you can be contacted.

If you work and are also receiving social security benefits, check with the Social Security Administration (SSA) for current earnings limits. If your earnings exceed these limits, your benefits may be reduced or eliminated altogether. These earnings limits change each year.

Notify the SSA of any changes in the amount of any other government benefits that you or your spouse receive. For example, certain limits are established for individuals receiving disability benefits. Also, if you receive non-government disability checks or settlements, these must also be reported to the SSA.

Dependents of an individual who is disabled may also qualify for benefits. "Dependents" may include:

1. An unmarried biological child, stepchild, or adopted child who is under 18 years old.
   
2. An unmarried grandchild who is under 18 years old.
   
3. A spouse who is at least 62 years old.

In the event of your death, your disabled surviving spouse or ex-spouse may be eligible to receive benefits. For example:

1. If your spouse is at least 50 years old and disabled, he or she may be eligible to receive benefits.

2. If your ex-spouse is at least 50 years old and disabled and your marriage lasted at least 10 years, he or she may be eligible to receive benefits.

An employee accumulates social security "credits" for employment earnings on which social security taxes were paid. Previously, each of these "credits" was referred to as a "quarter (year) of coverage." For example, one "credit" was earned for each $740 earned, but no more than four credits may be earned in one year. Therefore, most employees earn four credits for each year of work.

How many credits an employee must accumulate in order to qualify for social security benefits depends on the employee's age and the kind of benefit being requested. Most persons need 40 credits (10 years of work) to qualify for Social Security or Medicare benefits. Younger workers need fewer credits to be eligible for disability benefits or for their family members to be eligible for survivors' benefits if the worker dies.

If you stop working before earning enough social security credits, the credits you have earned will remain on your social security record. Additional credits will be added if you later return to work.

The number of credits that you have accumulated determine your ELIGIBILITY for, but not the AMOUNT of, your social security benefits. The amount of your benefits is determined by the amount of your average social security earnings during your working career. Therefore, in order to obtain an accurate estimate of your future benefits, you must provide information regarding your earnings for the past year and (estimated) current and future years (up until your anticipated retirement age). This information will allow the Social Security Administration to estimate the total amount of money you will have paid in upon your retirement and the estimated amount of your social security retirement benefit payments that you will receive.

You should contact your local social security administration office if you: (1) need a social security number, (2) have lost your card and need another one, or (3) need to change your name on the current card. Certain documents are required, depending upon your situation. You will need to obtain an original or a certified copy of your:

1. Birth Certificate (for a new card);

2. Birth Certificate (for a replacement card); or

3. Marriage Certificate, divorce papers, or court order (for a name change).

After you begin receiving social security benefits, you must advise the Social Security Administration of any change that might affect your benefits, including:

1. Change of address;
   
2. Marriage or divorce;
   
3. Name change;
   
4. Change in income, earnings or another government benefits;
   
5. Birth or adoption of a child;
   
6. Change in child custody;
   
7. Imprisonment;
   
8. Departure from the United States for 30 days or more; or
   
9. Death.

Depending on your situation, you may need some or all of the following documents when applying for social security retirement benefits:

1. Your social security number.
   
2. Your birth certificate.
   
3. Your W-2 forms or your complete income tax return (including Schedule SE) for the most recent year.
   
4. Your spouse's birth certificate and social security number (if your spouse also is applying for benefits).
   
5. Your children's birth certificates and social security numbers (if applying for children's benefits).
   
6. Your checking or savings account information (if you want your benefits deposited directly to your checking or savings account).
   
7. Any other social security number under which you or your dependents have received social security payments.

Sign the letter and retain a copy for your records. Allow six to eight weeks for reply.

To qualify for disability benefits from social security, you must have a physical or mental impairment that is expected to interfere with your ability to do any work for which you are suited, for at least a year. Disability benefits may also be obtained if you have a terminal condition. Social security is not available for a temporary condition or for partial disability. The social security program assumes that you have access to other resources (including workers' compensation, insurance, savings, and investments) during periods of short-term disability.

Strict social security requirements must be met in order to qualify for a disability payment. Meeting the disability requirements under another program does not ensure that you will qualify under the social security requirements. The Social Security Administration (SSA) will evaluate your physical condition and may require that you obtain a physical from a physician recommended by the SSA. A statement from your doctor indicating that you are disabled does not mean that you will be eligible for social security disability payments automatically. If your social security claim is denied and you disagree with the decision, you can appeal the decision. Your local social security office can assist you with the appeal process.

If you receive workers' compensation or other non-social-security government disability benefits, your social security benefits may be reduced. Otherwise, the social security disability benefits will continue for as long as the disability exists and you are unable to return to "substantial work." If your condition improves and/or you return to "substantial work," you must notify the SSA office. Your local SSA office can provide a more precise definition of "substantial work" for your particular situation.

Everyone receiving disability benefits will be checked periodically to determine whether the disability continues to exist and to verify that the individual has not returned to "substantial work." The individual may be asked to undergo a special test or examination as part of this periodic verification. The SSA will pay for the test.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) offers a free personal Earnings and Benefit Estimate Statement. This statement shows your social security earnings history and estimates how much you have paid in social security taxes. It also estimates your social security retirement, disability and survivor benefits and tells you how you can qualify for these benefits.

By requesting your Earnings and Benefit Estimate Statement, you can confirm that the SSA has accurately recorded your contributions to date. The statement includes wages from employment and self-employment income but not income from passive investments. If you believe that your earnings records differ from those of the SSA, you can call the toll-free number on the statement to clarify the discrepancy. Also, you can use the statement's projected benefits to plan for your retirement.

Your social security credits earned and the benefit estimates may change over time. Furthermore, the accuracy of your predicted earnings will determine the accuracy of your benefit estimates. Keep in mind that social security benefits are designed to supplement, not provide the exclusive means of, your retirement income.

The SSA is allowed to collect the information requested in this letter under Section 205 of the Social Security Act. This information is required in order to identify your record and prepare the earnings statement.

Providing these facts is voluntary, but without them, the SSA will not be able to give you an Earnings and Benefit Estimate Statement. The SSA and its contractors may not use this information for any other purpose.

It may take up to six weeks to receive your Earnings and Benefit Estimate Statement.

If you plan to leave the United States for 30 days or more, you must notify the Social Security Administration so that your benefit checks and any notices or letters can be sent to the proper address.

Social security payments are not generally interrupted during an extended stay outside of the United States. However, there are some special rules that apply. Check with your local social security office or call 1-800-772-1213 to review the requirements.