As we celebrate March as National Women's History Month, I'd like to talk about women and Social Security. Although Social Security coverage is the same for men and women, there are things a woman should know that can make a difference in how well she does under the program.

Following are 10 things to be aware of:

1. Be sure to change your name with Social Security. If you marry, remember to change your name on your Social Security card if you use your married name at work. If you don't make the change, your earnings may not be properly credited to your Social Security record. This means that when you retire, or if you become disabled or die, benefits for you or your family may be incorrect.

2. Watch your disability coverage. You need recent work under Social Security to qualify for disability benefits. The amount you need depends on the age at which you become disabled. If you become disabled before age 24, you need to have earned six credits in the 1½year period ending with the quarter you become disabled. If you become disabled between 24 and 30, you need credit for half the time between age 22 and the time you become disabled. After age 30 you need credits for five years of work out of the last 10.

Maintain your protection by making sure you keep it current. It's not hard to do. You need to earn a certain amount of money a year to get Social Security "credits." In 2008, for each $1,050 you earn you get one credit, up to a maximum of four credits a year.

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3. Know your benefit options. Women may have to decide whether to take a benefit on their own work record or their husband's. Or whether to take a benefit at age 60 or wait until full retirement age.

Sometimes, the decision is whether to claim a benefit on their new husband's earnings or a previous husband's earnings.

Look at all the options. We will show you how much your benefits would be under any of the scenarios listed above.

4. Be aware of your rights as a divorced wife. If you've been married for 10 years, you have the same rights to benefits on your ex-husband's Social Security earnings as a current wife. And your benefits will not affect those of the current wife.

5. How marriage affects your benefits. Generally, marriage terminates entitlement to divorced spouse's or mother's benefits. Benefits as a widow are not affected by remarriage.

6. Check your benefit statement. Closely check your Social Security Benefit Statement for accuracy, especially earnings posted by current or previous employers.

7. Check your family protection. Your earnings give you the same family protection that your husband's earnings do. If you retire, die or become disabled, your minor children could receive Social Security benefits even if your husband can't because he is still working.

8. Note government pension offset. Receiving a pension from work in a government job not covered by Social Security could reduce your Social Security "spouse's" benefit.

9. Note windfall elimination provision. If you receive a pension based on noncovered government employment, your Social Security benefits may be reduced because of the windfall elimination provision.

10. Note household workers reporting. If you hire a household worker, you are responsible for reporting her/ his wages and collecting and paying the Social Security tax.

For details about Social Security taxes, call IRS at 1-800-829-1040.

Anthony Renzoni is district manager of the Bridgeport office of the Social Security Administration. His column appears every Monday.