Everyone should have an understanding of at least the basics of the Social Security program. For women, there are reasons it can be especially important. Here's why:
-Women tend to live longer than men, which means they are more likely than men to get Social Security survivors benefits.
-Women probably will have a greater financial need for Social Security retirement benefits and collect them for a longer period of time since their life span is longer.
-Women are more likely to be affected by more Social Security provisions than men, such as changing their surnames after marriage or divorce.
Social Security has two convenient ways for women to get information about Social Security.
Many will find the special Web page on women's issues helpful. It is entitled "For Women" and can be found at www.socialsecurity.gov/women.On the left side of the page is a listing of "roles" that a woman may play in life, such as working woman, beneficiary, bride, new mother, divorced spouse, caregiver and widow.
When you click on any one of these roles, you are taken to Social Security information that would be of interest to you. For example, "new mother" leads you to links on getting a Social Security number for your newborn, benefits for children and more.
This link is one that many working women will find particularly helpful because it takes them to Social Security's financial planning Web site at www.socialsecurity.gov/planner s. They can use the calculators there to test different retirement ages or different scenarios for future earnings amounts. It also provides detailed financial information about how marriage, widowhood, divorce, self-employment, government jobs and other life or career events can affect Social Security.
And it includes a link to a nonSocial Security worksheet that will help visitors decide how much they need to save and invest for a comfortable retirement.
In addition to the Web page, Social Security offers a booklet titled "Social Security: What Every Woman Should Know."
This 24-page publication is a handy reference tool for any woman who needs a basic understanding of how the Social Security retirement, survivors and disability programs work. It includes information for women on what to keep in mind about the Social Security program if they become widowed or divorced. And it addresses other Social Security issues that a woman may encounter, such as how to change her name, get Social Security numbers for children and ensure Social Security coverage if she is selfemployed or a household worker.
Free copies of the "What Every Woman Should Know" can be printed by visiting www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10 127.html or can be ordered by calling SSA's toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-3250778).
Reaching age 65 or full retirement age in 2008? - If you will turn 65 or reach full retirement age in 2008 and have not filed a Social Security or Medicare application, we can provide you with information that will be helpful in determining when to file an application. Mail us the following information:
- Your name.
- Social Security number.
- Estimated 2007 earnings.
- Estimated 2008 earnings.
- Complete mailing address.
- Telephone number (both
home and work).
-Date of birth.
- If you plan to retire in 2008, month in which you would.
- Spouse's Social Security number.
- Spouse's date of birth.
- If spouse is deceased, give date
of death.
Send it to: Your Social Security, Social Security Administration, 3885 Main St., 3rd Floor, Bridgeport CT 06606. Attn: A. Renzoni. Anthony Renzoni is district manager of the Bridgeport office of the Social Security Administration.
His column appears every Monday.
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