Free Social Security Change in Information

If you receive benefits for a child under your care who is under the age 16 or is disabled, you should notify the Social Security Administration if the child leaves your care. If you no longer have responsibility for the child, then your benefits will stop. However, if you continue to exercise parental control over the child, even during a temporary separation, then you may continue to receive benefits.

You will stop receiving benefits when the youngest unmarried child under your care reaches age 16.

Your employer reports your earnings under the name you provide. Whenever you change the name you use in 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 the social security credits to which you are entitled. Even if you do not work, you should report your name change to the SSA so that your records will show the correct name when you apply for benefits. If you marry and keep your maiden name, you do not have to report your marriage to the SSA.

To change the name on your social security card, you need to complete Form SS-5, which can be obtained from your local social security office or by calling 1-800-772-1213. You can also download the form from the SSA's internet site at www.ssa.gov.

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 your change in address, you should also notify the post office. The post office will forward your check if the change is not processed by the time your next check is mailed.

A change of address needs to 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 might have questions about some of the information that you have provided or may need additional information. Therefore, you should include information about how you would like to be contacted.

Social security benefits are generally not paid for the months a beneficiary is imprisoned for a crime. Further, benefits are generally not paid to beneficiaries who commit a crime and are confined to an institution by court order and at the public's expense. For example, benefits are usually not paid when the beneficiary is found guilty but insane, when the beneficiary is found not guilty by reason of insanity, or when the beneficiary is found to be incompetent to stand trial.

Any family members who are eligible for benefits may continue to receive them during the time the beneficiary is imprisoned or institutionalized.

When a beneficiary dies, no payment is due for the month of death. For example, even if a beneficiary dies on the last day of the month, the payment received on the third day of that month should be returned. However, if a payment is issued to a husband and wife jointly, the surviving spouse should contact their local social security office about the payment. If the check is deposited directly to a financial institution, you should notify the financial institution so it can return the payment.

Dependents may continue to receive benefits after a beneficiary's death. Contact your local social security office for more information on receiving benefits after a beneficiary's death.

A certified copy of the death certificate or other proof of death should be provided to the Social Security Administration upon the death of a beneficiary.

You should contact your local social security 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 your current card. Certain documents are required depending upon your situation. For example, 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);

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

If a beneficiary marries or gets divorced, it may affect his/her social security benefits. You should contact your local social security office about how marriage or divorce might impact the benefits you receive.

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

By requesting your Personal Earnings and Benefit Estimate Statement, you can confirm that social security has accurately tracked your contributions to date. The statement includes wages from employment and self-employment income. If your earnings records differ from those of the SSA, you can call the toll-free number on the statement to clarify the discrepancy.

Also, when you receive your PEBES response, you can use it to start planning for your financial future. The actual amount of social security credits earned and the benefit estimates may change. How accurately you predict your earnings will affect the accuracy of your benefit estimates. Social security is not designed to meet all of your future financial needs. You will need additional sources of income during your retirement.

To complete a PEBES request, contact your local social security office or complete the request on-line at www.ssa.gov.

It may take four to six weeks to receive a response to your PEBES request.

1. Sign the letter.

2. If this letter addresses a name change, you should attach documentation that shows the beneficiary's prior name and the beneficiary's new name as well as a completed Form SS-5.

3. If this letter addresses the birth or adoption of a child, you should attach a certified copy of the child's birth certificate to this letter.

4. If this letter addresses the death of a beneficiary and you planned on enclosing the deceased beneficiary's last social security check, be sure to enclose the check before mailing. Also, enclose a certified copy of the beneficiary's death certificate or other proof of death.

5. Keep a copy of the letter and any attachments for your records

The social security taxes paid by employees, employers, and self-employed persons fund a system of benefits intended to supplement pensions, insurance, savings, and other investments accumulated during an individual's working years. Social security also provides benefits to family members if the employee retires, becomes disabled, or dies.

Once you begin receiving social security benefits, you will need to advise the Social Security Administration of any change(s) that may affect your benefits. Events which may cause changes in your social security benefits include but are not limited to the following:

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 or institutionalization of a beneficiary;

8. Departure from the United States for 30 days or more;

9. Death of a beneficiary;

10. Change in direct deposit accounts;

11. Beneficiary becomes unable to manage his/her funds.

If you plan to leave the United States for 30 days or more, you must notify the Social Security Administration (SSA) so that your benefit checks and any notices or letters are sent to the correct address.

Social security payments generally continue for as long as the beneficiary remains outside the United States. However, there are some special rules that apply to U.S. departures. For example, if you are a citizen of a country which is not approved for the SSA to send checks, your benefits will be suspended after you have been outside the United States for six months unless your satisfy specific conditions. Further, if you go to a country where the U.S. Treasury Department prohibits sending checks, the SSA will stop your benefits immediately. Check with your local social security office or call 1-800-772-1213 for more information about these special rules.

Remember to notify the SSA when you return to the United States.