Social Security & You
By Brandon P. Smith, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist
Every July, we take pride in celebrating our nation’s independence. For nearly 90 years, Social Security programs have helped provide financial independence to millions of hardworking people. We have useful online tools like the Social Security Statement and our benefits estimator tool that help people not yet receiving benefits.
The Statement shows the benefits that you and your family may be entitled to includes personalized fact sheets tailored to your age and earnings situation. The benefits estimator tool allows you to get estimates based on different ages you want to begin receiving benefits. These tools can help you plan for financial independence in retirement.
Don’t receive benefits? You can get the most out of your online experience if you have a personal my Social Security account. You can:
Get your Statement instantly
Request a replacement Social Security card (in nearly every state and the District of Columbia)
Find out if you qualify for benefits
Appeal a decision made on your claim
Already receiving benefits? If so, you can use your personal my Social Security account to:
Request a replacement Social Security card (in nearly every state and the District of
Columbia)
Get an instant benefit verification letter for Social Security, Medicare, and Supplemental
Security Income (SSI)
Start or change your direct deposit (Social Security beneficiaries only)
Check your information and benefit amount
Change your address (Social Security beneficiaries only)
Request a replacement Medicare card
Get a replacement SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S instantly for tax season
Report your wages if you work and receive disability benefits or SSI
You can create your personal my Social Security account at ssa.gov/myaccount.
