Social Security & You
By Brandon P. Smith, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist
There’s no better place to do your business with us or get answers than on our website. We’re always working to improve our web pages and add online services to better serve you. Here are our top 10 web pages of 2021:
- Open your own my Social Security account, where you can verify your earnings, view your Social Security Statement, get future benefit estimates, obtain a benefit verification letter, update your Social Security information if you receive benefits, and more, at www.ssa.gov/myaccount.
- Our hub for Social Security news and updates is our blog at blog.socialsecurity.gov. You can use social media to easily share these informative articles with friends and family.
- Need answers to your Social Security-related questions? Our Frequently Asked Questions web page is another valuable source of information at www.ssa.gov/faq.
- You can complete and submit our online application for retirement benefits in as little as 15 minutes at www.ssa.gov/retirement.
- You can conveniently apply online for disability benefits at www.ssa.gov/benefits/disability.
- Visit our publication library online (including audio versions) on key subjects at www.ssa.gov/pubs.
- You can learn about Medicare at www.ssa.gov/benefits/medicare.
- You can take care of most business with us online when you visit our online services page at www.ssa.gov/onlineservices.
- There are times when you may need to fill out a form and submit it to us. You can find all our forms easily at www.ssa.gov/forms.
- Learn how to recognize Social Security scams and how to report them at www.ssa.gov/fraud.
Remember, if you need help, information, or you are ready to do business with Social Security, the first place to go is our website. Save time and go online! Please share these web pages with your friends and family.
Carolyn Cummings
I owe student loans. Social security takes everything over $750.00 for repayment because I defaulted due to disability. I was on SSDI until I turned 65. I still am disabled but now that I am over 65, my benefits are being reduced from $860 to $750 a month. Is there a way that my disability can relieve me from my small check being reduced. I have no other income. My husbands VA benefits stopped when he passed. Is there anyone I can turn to for assistance.
Estelle R. Brown
Hello, Carolyn. Here is the advice of Boomer’s Social Security blogger, Brandon P. Smith:
We can withhold Social Security benefits to enforce your legal obligation to pay child support, alimony or restitution. State laws determine a valid garnishment order. By law, we garnish current and continuing monthly benefits. We do not make retroactive adjustments. You cannot appeal to Social Security for implementing garnishment orders. If you disagree with the garnishment, contact an attorney or representative where the court issued the order. For further information regarding the student loan forgiveness, cancellation, and discharge program, please contact the Department of Education.