Archives by: Brandon Smith
About the author
Brandon P. Smith is the author of Northeast Ohio Thrive’s Social Security & You blog. He is a Social Security public affairs specialist with the Social Security Administration, based in Cleveland. A Cleveland native, he joined the SSA in 2003. He is the primary contact for media relations, outreach, and presentations for the agency in Cuyahoga, Lake, Lorain, and Geauga counties. In addition to other communications awards, Brandon received a Deputy Commissioner Citation from Social Security’s Office of Communication in 2015 for his outstanding public affairs support of the agency’s national communication initiatives.
Brandon Smith Posts
Don’t be fooled. Social Security employees will never threaten you for information or promise a benefit in exchange for personal information or money. So, if you get a call from someone claiming there's a problem with your SS number or account, just hang up. ...
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While Social Security offices are closed during the coronavirus crisis, services are still available online and limited, critical services are accessible via phone and email. Also, beware of scammers who may try to trick you into thinking the pandemic is stopping your Social Security payments. This threat is not true. Payments continue, as always. ...
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Since April is Financial Literacy Month, it's a perfect time to plot out your financial future. The Social Security Administration offers several handy online tools to help you consider various scenarios. Use the interactive Retirement Calculator to run additional benefit estimate scenarios, comparing how different future earnings and retirement benefit start dates can affect your benefit amount. ...
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Social Security benefits are part of the retirement plan of almost every American worker. If you’re among the people covered under Social Security, you need to know how much you might receive from us when you begin receiving benefits. These monthly payments may be a vital part of your retirement income. ...
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If you will pay at least $2,200 in cash to a household worker in the year 2020 — for an employee’s transportation, meals and/or housing — you have some additional financial responsibilities. ...
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SocialSecurity.gov offers many online tools and services to save you time. Here are five that can make your life easier, from opening your own Social Security account to submitting an online application for retirement benefits and much more! ...
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Social Security has served a vital role in the lives of women for over 80 years. With longer life expectancies than men, women tend to live more years in retirement and have a greater chance of exhausting other sources of income. Women need to plan early and wisely for retirement. ...
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The Social Security Administration provides online services to improve its service to you. Here are our top 10 websites that you can use to manage your benefits, learn the latest news and access helpful resources. Share these links with your friends and family! ...
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