1. Social Security: With You Through Life’s Journey…
For more than 80 years, Social Security has helped secure today and tomorrow by providing benefits and financial protection for millions of people throughout their life’s journey.
Social Security touches the lives of every American, both directly and indirectly. As you consider the information that you are about to receive, I encourage you to think about all the ways Social Security has been linked to your life – and the lives of your loved ones.
Produced at U.S. taxpayer expense

2. We’re With You Through Life’s Journey
Social Security offers much more than just retirement. We provide a safety net of financial protection for your whole family.
We’re with you throughout life’s journey– With retirement, disability, survivors, and other benefits, Social Security is here to help you and millions of others secure today and tomorrow.
We’re With You Through Life’s Journey

3. Most Popular Baby Names SocialSecurity.gov/babynames
A fun by-product of assigning Social Security numbers at birth is that we know the most popular baby names, which we announce each year.
Visit our website to find the top baby names for the last
100 years.
SocialSecurity.gov/babynames
Most parents apply for a child’s Social Security number at birth, usually while still in the hospital. This way, when it comes time for that first job, the number is already in place.
One fun by-product of assigning Social Security numbers at birth is that we know the most POPULAR baby names, which we announce each year.
You can scan through the names that parents most frequently picked for their children over the past 100 YEARS by visiting our website at SocialSecurity.gov/babynames.
Maybe you have a friend or family member who is expecting a child or grandchild. If so, jot down this website and share it with them on Facebook or send it to them in an . Maybe they will find a name on our list that they love, thanks to you!

4. The Social Security website is a valuable resource of information about all of Social Security’s programs and is accessible from a computer, tablet and smartphone. We encourage you to use our online retirement planning tools to plan for a secure financial future.

5. socialsecurity.gov/myaccount
my Social Security
my Social Security is a convenient and secure suite of services designed to put you in control of your personal Social Security information, as well as help you manage your benefits when you are ready.  Your account gives you the information you need whenever you want.  All without calling or visiting a field office.
You can only open a my Social Security account for yourself. You cannot open an account for another person, even if you have his or her written consent. You may be unable to open a my Social Security account if you:
•     Blocked electronic access to your personal Social Security information; •     Recently moved or changed your name; or •     Placed a freeze on your credit report.
Your online my Social Security account provides a variety of information to help you and your family. If you need help setting up your account, we have a 4-minute walkthrough video on our YouTube page.
socialsecurity.gov/myaccount

6. my Social Security Services
If you do not receive benefits, you can:
Request a replacement Social Security card if you meet certain requirements;
Check the status of your application or appeal;
Get a benefit verification letter as proof that you are not getting benefits;
Get your Social Security Statement to review:
Estimates of your future retirement, disability, and survivor benefits;
Your earnings once a year to verify the amounts that we posted are correct; and
The estimated Social Security and Medicare taxes you’ve paid.
So what can you do with a my Social Security account?
Your online my Social Security account provides a wealth of information to help you and your family plan for your financial future.
If you do not receive benefits, you can…

7. my Social Security Services
If you receive benefits or have Medicare, you can:
Request a replacement Social Security card if you meet certain requirements;
Report your wages if you work and receive Disability Insurance benefits;
Get a benefit verification letter as proof that you are getting benefits;
Check your benefit and payment information and your earnings record;
Change your address and phone number;
Start or change direct deposit of your benefit payment;
Request a replacement Medicare card; and
Get a replacement SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S for tax season.
So what can you do with a my Social Security account?
Your online my Social Security account provides a wealth of information to help you and your family plan for your financial future.
If you receive benefits or have Medicare, you can:
Request a replacement Social Security card if you meet certain requirements;
Report your wages if you work and receive Disability Insurance benefits;
Get a benefit verification letter as proof that you are getting benefits;
Check your benefit and payment information and your earnings record;
Change your address and phone number;
Start or change direct deposit of your benefit payment;
Request a replacement Medicare card; and
Get a replacement SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S for tax season.

8. Enhanced Security for your my Social Security Account
We recently added a second method to check the identification of account holders when you register or sign in.
This is in addition to the first layer of security, your username and password.
You will be able to choose either your cell phone or your address as your second identification method.
Social Security continues to evaluate and improve how we protect what’s important to you. We take this responsibility seriously, and we have a robust cybersecurity program in place to help protect the personal information you entrust to us. Adding additional security measures to safeguard your personal information — but making our services easy to use — is a vital part of keeping you safe and secure.
On June 10, 2017, we added a second method to check your identification when you sign in to my Social Security.
This is in addition to the first layer of security, your username and password.
The next time you sign in, you will be able to choose either your cell phone or your address as your second identification method.
Using two ways to identify you when you log on will help better protect your account from unauthorized use and potential identity fraud.
We’re committed to using the best technologies and standards available to protect our customers’ data. This new security advancement is just one of the ways we’re ensuring the safety of the resources entrusted to us.
In addition to these security enhancements, we are also upgrading the look and feel of my Social Security, in an effort to create an enhanced customer experience. The my Social Security portal will automatically adjust to the size of the screen and kind of device you are using – such as a tablet, smart phone, or computer. No matter what type of device you choose, you will have full, easy-to-use access to your personal my Social Security account.

9. Enhanced Security for your my Social Security Account cont.
Each time you sign in to your account, you will complete two steps:
• Step 1: Enter your username and password.
• Step 2: Enter the security code we send by text message or , depending on your choice (cell phone provider text message and data rates may apply).
If a user does not have a text-enabled cell phone, or does not wish to provide their cell phone number, they will need to use their address as a second identification method instead.

10. How to Open a my Social Security Account
Social Security presentation for 2017 National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Preretirement Seminars
How to Open a my Social Security Account 1
Visit socialsecurity.gov/myaccount 2
Select: “Sign In or Create an Account.”
Provide some personal information to verify your identity. 3 4
Choose a username and password, then select how you would like to receive a one-time security code to create your account.
To open a my Social Security account, you have to be at least 18 years of age, have a valid address, a Social Security number, and a U.S. mailing address.
To open your account, go to socialsecurity.gov/myaccount and select “Sign In or Create an Account.”
You will have to provide some personal Social Security information about yourself and give us answers to some questions only you are likely to know to verify your identity.
Next, you choose a “username” and an 8-character “password” to access your online account. This process protects you and keeps your personal Social Security information private.
You will also notice the option of adding an extra level of security to your account. By selecting “Yes, let’s start now” you are prompted to select an additional question to answer. With this feature, you will receive a temporary code via text message each time you attempt to log in. And you will use this code with your account password. Keep in mind that your cell phone provider’s message rates may apply.
No matter what type of device you use, the my Social Security portal will automatically re-adjust to fit the appropriate screen size, providing you full, easy-to-use access to your personal account!
Produced by the Social Security Administration Office of Communications/ Office of External Affairs

11. my Social Security
You can assist someone in creating a my Social Security account if they:
are with you;
have their own address;
can answer the “out of wallet” questions; and
have been appointed a payee.
You cannot create a my Social Security account on behalf of another person by using another person's information or identity, even if you have that person's written permission.
For example, you cannot create an account for another person:
with whom you have a business relationship;
for whom you are a representative payee; or
for whom you are an appointed representative.

12. my Social Security
You can visit your local field office to obtain a unique activation code.
You will need to bring in proof of identity in one of the following forms (must be current):
State driver's license or identity card;
U.S. passport or passport card;
U.S. military identification; or
U.S. government employee identification card.
Why would they have to go into the office – block on credit report, can’t get through initial screen (recent address change), NUMI discrepancy,

13. Social Security Beneficiaries
4.4 million
Widows/ Widowers
8.9 million Disabled
Workers, 1.9 million
Dependents
1.9 million
Children
41 million
Retired Workers
3 million
Dependents
This image illustrates the number of beneficiaries we pay. Currently, more than one in every six people in America is receiving a Social Security benefit. The majority of our beneficiaries are retired.
But Social Security is more than retirement...it is a family protection plan (almost 1/3 of the beneficiaries are disabled, dependents of disabled, or survivors).
Source:
12/2017

14. Other Income Pension Social Security Savings & Investments
You may have heard of the “three-legged stool” of retirement, and these days, we like to remind people about investments and other income, as well.
For the average worker, Social Security will only replace about 40% of your pre-retirement earnings. Therefore, you will need additional income sources such as pensions, savings, investments, and/or a retirement account to have a comfortable retirement.
Again, remember that Social Security was never meant to be the only source of income for people when they retire.

15. mymoney.gov or 1-800-FED-INFO
Social Security provides a foundation on which to build retirement security. While planning for retirement, it is important that you know how much your Social Security benefit is likely to be. Also consider how much monthly income you will receive from your pension and investments. The rest of your pre-retirement income will need to be supplemented by your savings and other income. To help with your retirement income, you may want to visit the MyMoney.gov website.
MyMoney.gov is a product of the Congressionally chartered Federal Financial Literacy and Education Commission, which is made up of more than 20 Federal entities that coordinate and collaborate to strengthen financial capability and increase access to financial services for all Americans.
The Social Security Administration is one of those 20 entities.
The Commission was established by the Financial Literacy and Education Improvement Act, Title V of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003.
This is a great website to visit, even if you already have a financial planner who helps you manage your portfolio. It will help you to be more informed about financial matters, so you can ask better questions to your trusted advisors.
And this site provides free, reliable, unbiased information on a variety of financial topics.
Unlike the investment advice offered on some private financial companies’ websites, no one is trying to sell you anything through this site, which is run by the federal government.
mymoney.gov or FED-INFO

16. We Wouldn’t Miss Your Retirement Party
When most people think of Social Security, they think of retirement benefits —with good reason. Social Security is a lifeline for most retirees, keeping tens of millions out of poverty.
But we are more than retirement benefits; we offer many online tools like a my Social Security account and the Retirement Estimator to help you plan for your future. When it comes to retirement planning, be sure to check your account for your personal earnings information and estimates of your future benefits to help you plan that retirement party.

17. How Do You Qualify for Retirement Benefits?
By earning “credits” when you work and pay Social Security taxes
You need 40 credits (10 years of work) and you must be 62 or older
Each $1,360 in earnings gives you one credit
You can earn a maximum of 4 credits per year
When you work and pay Social Security taxes, you earn “credits” toward Social Security benefits.
You must earn a certain number of credits to qualify for Social Security benefits. The number of credits you need depends on your age when you apply and the type of benefit application.
To qualify for a Social Security retirement benefit, you need “40 credits” or 10 years of work
Note: To earn 4 credits in 2019, you must earn at least $5,

18. How Much Will I Receive in Retirement Benefits?
We offer 11 different calculators to help you with your retirement planning.
Just choose the one that best fits your needs!
When you visit our website, be sure to scroll down to near the bottom and click the “calculators” button.

19. How Social Security Determines Your Benefit?
Benefits are based on earnings
Step 1 -Your wages are adjusted for changes in wage levels over time
Step 2 -Find the monthly average of your 35 highest earnings years
Step 3 -Result is “average indexed monthly earnings”
We base your benefit payment on how much you earned during your working career.
We are looking for the highest 35 years during a worker's lifetime of earnings, regardless of when earned.
Using this formula means that a worker who qualifies for a retirement benefit with just 10 years of work would have a lower benefit payment than someone who worked longer.  That’s because we are looking at the highest 35 years of earnings.  In this example, there would be 25 years with zero earnings.

20. 2019 Retirement Benefit Formula Average Monthly Earnings = $5,500
32% of Earnings over $926 through $5, $4,574 =
($5,500 - $926 = $4,574)
15% of Earnings over $5,583… $0 =
$5,500 =
*Payments rounded to whole dollar amounts
90% of First $926 =
$833
If your average monthly earnings are = $5,500
Then your monthly benefit would be = $2,296
$1,463 $0
$1,833

21. socialsecurity.gov/estimator
Retirement Estimator
Gives estimates based on your actual Social Security earnings record
You can use the Retirement Estimator if:
You have enough Social Security credits at this time to qualify for benefits and
You are not:
Currently receiving benefits on your own Social Security record;
Waiting for a decision about your application for benefits or Medicare;
Age 62 or older and receiving benefits on another Social Security record; or
Eligible for a Pension Based on Work Not Covered By Social Security.
You can use the online Retirement Estimator at to get immediate and personalized benefit estimates to help you plan for your retirement.
It’s a convenient, secure and quick financial planning tool.
The Retirement Estimator, is an interactive tool that allows you to create “what if” scenarios.
You can, for example, change your “stop work” dates or “expected future earnings” to create and compare different retirement options.
socialsecurity.gov/estimator

22. Calculator Estimator Online Calculators Age Retirement GPO WEP
Life Expectancy
Retirement
Earnings Test
Benefits for Spouses
Early or Late
Estimator
GPO
Quick
We offer 11 different calculators to help you with your retirement planning.
Detailed
Age

23. Age You Choose to Start Receiving Benefits
What Is the Best Age to Start Receiving Social Security Retirement Benefits?
Choosing when to retire is an important and personal decision. Financial experts say you’ll need 70-80% of your preretirement income to have a comfortable retirement. You’ll want to choose a retirement age based on your circumstances so you’ll have enough income when you need it.
I encourage you to read our When To Start Receiving Retirement Benefits fact sheet in its entirety. You can find it by searching our Publications page at SocialSecurity.gov/pubs.
Age You Choose to Start Receiving Benefits
Note: This example assumes a benefit of $1,000 at a full retirement age of 66

24. Benefit taken at age 62 would be reduced by
Year of Birth
Full
Retirement
Age
Benefit taken at age 62 would be reduced by 66
25%
1955
66 and 2 months
25.83%
1956
66 and 4 months
26.67%
1957
66 and 6 months
27.5%
1958
66 and 8 months
28.33%
1959
66 and 10 months
29.17%
1960 + 67
30%
Remember that when to start receiving retirement benefits is a personal choice.  There isn’t a one fits all answer.
You should make an informed decision about when to apply for benefits based on your individual and family circumstances.
Factors you should consider when deciding the best age to retire:
Your current cash needs;
Your health and family longevity;
Whether you plan to work in retirement;
Whether you have other retirement income sources;
Your anticipated future financial needs and obligations; and,
The amount of your future Social Security benefits.
This chart gives an example of how much a $1,000 retirement benefit and a $500 retirement benefit would be reduced if someone took the benefit at age 62.
The increase in full retirement age was the result of the 1983 Amendments to the Social Security Act. Full retirement age increases apply to both Retirement Benefits and Survivors Benefits. Although we at Social Security have always used the term “full” retirement age, you may find that some people now refer to “full retirement age” as the “Normal Retirement Age”. Regardless of your full retirement age, reduced benefits can still be paid as early as age 62.
In addition, the Medicare eligibility age of 65 has not changed. We recommend that you apply for Medicare 3 months before your 65th birthday (unless you are already receiving Social Security benefits when you turn 65, in which case you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare).
Source:

25. Working While Receiving Benefits
If you are
You can make up to
If you earn more, some benefits will be withheld
Under Full Retirement Age
$17,640/yr.
$1 for every $2
The Year Full Retirement Age is Reached
$46,920/yr. before month of full retirement age
$1 for every $3
Month of Full Retirement Age and Above
No Limit
The first thing we recommend is that you visit SocialSecurity.gov/pubs and search for the publication entitled, How Work Affects Your Benefits. It explains the rules you must follow in order to avoid an overpayment, and it gives some great examples for different scenarios that could apply to your individual situation.
Note: If some of your retirement benefits are withheld because of your earnings, your benefits will be increased starting at your full retirement age to take into account those months in which benefits were withheld.

26. What Income Counts Towards the Earnings Test Limits?
Income that Counts as Earnings:
Gross wages from employment and/or net earnings from self employment
Income that Does NOT Count as Earnings:
Inheritance payments
Pensions
Income from investments
Interest and dividends
Capital gains
Other sources

27. Full Retirement Age 100% of Benefit and No Income Limit
A spouse who has not worked or who has low earnings can be entitled to as much as one-half of the retired worker’s full benefit.
If you are eligible for both your own retirement benefits and for benefits as a spouse, we always pay your own benefits first. If your benefits as a spouse are higher than your retirement benefits, you will get a combination of benefits equaling the higher spouse benefit.
If spouses want to get Social Security retirement benefits before they reach full retirement age, the amount of the benefit is reduced. The amount of reduction depends on when the person reaches full retirement age.
However, if a spouse is caring for a child under age 16 or disabled, who gets Social Security benefits on the worker’s record, the spouse gets full benefits, regardless of age.
This next slide gives you an example.

28. Your Age Determines the Benefit Amount

29. Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP)
If any part of your pension is based on work
not covered by Social Security,
you may be affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision.
WEP can apply if:
You reached 62 after 1985; or
You became disabled after 1985; and
You first became eligible for a monthly pension based on work where you didn’t pay Social Security taxes after 1985.
The Windfall Elimination Provision can affect how we calculate your retirement or disability benefit.
If you work for an employer who doesn’t withhold Social Security taxes from your salary, such as a government agency or an employer in another country, any pension you get from that work can reduce your Social Security benefits.
This provision can affect you when you earn a pension from an employer who didn’t withhold Social Security taxes and you qualify for Social Security retirement or disability benefits from work in other jobs for which you did pay taxes.
If any part of your government pension is based on wages not covered by Social Security, then WEP will apply. WEP only applies to Retirement and Disability Benefits. Survivor’s Benefits are not affected by WEP.
If you are a government employee the benefit estimate you see on your Social Security Statement might be in error because the formula used in the estimate does not take into consideration WEP.
WEP applies to the workers’ benefits. Any auxiliary benefits payable on the worker's record also would be affected.
Our Online WEP calculator allows you to estimate your Social Security benefit. Visit socialsecurity.gov/planners/retire/wep.html
socialsecurity.gov/planners/retire/wep.html

30. Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP)
Normal Computation
WEP Computation
90% of the first $926
40% of the first $926
32% of the next $4,657
15% of the remainder
Prior to the 1983 Amendments when workers spent most of their careers in government jobs where they did not pay Social Security taxes (non-covered employment), they received the equal benefits of the weighted benefit formula. These workers, based on their Social Security earnings record, appeared to be low wage earners; primarily because the majority of their wages were not covered for Social Security purposes. These federal, state, or local employees effectively were receiving a windfall from Social Security.
The 1983 Amendments rectified this windfall. Since they had their 40 credits, they will continue to be eligible for a Retirement benefit, but their benefit will be computed differently. The benefit formula is identical to the normal computation with the exception of the first level of the formula. Instead of receiving 90% of the first level, they will receive 40%.
Max WEP for 2019 is $463/month

31. Substantial Earnings for Each Year
Year Substantial Earnings
$900
$1,050
$1,200
$1,650
$1,950
1972 $2,250
1973 $2,700
1974 $3,300
1975 $3,525
1976 $3,825
1977 $4,125
1978 $4,425
1979 $4,725
1980 $5,100
1981 $5,550
1982 $6,075
1983 $6,675
Note: Our Online WEP calculator allows you to estimate your Social Security benefit.
2001 $14,925
2002 $15,750
2003 $16, $16,275
2005 $16,725
2006 $17,475
2007 $18,150
2008 $18,975
$19,800
2012 $20,475
2013 $21,075
2014 $21,750
$22,050
2017 $23,625
2018 $23,850
2019 $24,675
Year Substantial Earnings
1984 $7,050
1985 $7,425
1986 $7,875
1987 $8,175
1988 $8,400
1989 $8,925
1990 $9,525
1991 $9,900
1992 $10,350
1993 $10,725
1994 $11,250
1995 $11,325
1996 $11,625
1997 $12,150
1998 $12,675
1999 $13,425
2000 $14,175

32. Years of Substantial Earnings
Exception to the WEP
Years of Substantial Earnings
% of First Factor in
Benefit Formula
30 or more 90 29 85 28 80 27 75 26 70 25 65 24 60 23 55 22 50 21 45
20 or fewer 40

33. Government Pension Offset
If any part of your pension is based on work
not covered by Social Security,
you may be affected by the Government Pension Offset.
If you receive a pension based on work not covered by Social Security, your spouse or widow(er) Social Security benefits may be reduced.
If you receive a pension from a federal, state, or local government based on work for which you didn’t pay Social Security taxes, we may reduce your Social Security spouses or widows or widowers benefits. We have a publication that provides answers to questions you may have about the reduction. It is available at SocialSecurity.gov/gpo.
We’ll reduce your Social Security benefits by two-thirds of your government pension. In other words, if you get a monthly civil service pension of $600, two-thirds of that, or $400, must be deducted from your Social Security benefits. For example, if you’re eligible for a $500 spouses, widows or widowers benefit from Social Security, you’ll get $100 a month from Social Security ($500 – $400 = $100).
Benefits we pay to spouses, widows, and widowers are “dependent’s” benefits. Set up in the 1930s, these benefits were to compensate spouses who stayed home to raise a family and were financially dependent on the working spouse. It’s now common for both spouses to work, each earning their own Social Security retirement benefit. The law requires a person’s spouse, widow, or widower benefit to be offset by the dollar amount of their own retirement benefit.
If you receive a pension based on work not covered by Social Security, your spouse’s, widow’s, or widower’s benefits may be reduced by the Government Pension Offset, or GPO.
To estimate your future benefits under GPO, use our Online GPO calculator at
socialsecurity.gov/gpo

34. Government Pension Offset Example
2/3 of amount of non-covered pension will be used to reduce
the Social Security spouse’s/widow(er)’s benefits.
Examples:
$1200 Non-covered Pension
2/3 = $800
If Social Security spouse’s benefit = $750, no benefit payable due to offset
If Social Security widow(er)’s benefit =$1500, $700 would be payable after offset
socialsecurity.gov/gpo

35. Spousal Benefits

36. Spousal Benefits Benefit is 50% of worker’s unreduced benefit
Social Security presentation for 2017 National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Preretirement Seminars
Spousal Benefits
Benefit is 50% of worker’s unreduced benefit
Reduction for early retirement
If spouse’s own benefit is less than 50% of the worker’s, the benefits are combined
Does not reduce payment to the worker
Produced by the Social Security Administration Office of Communications/ Office of External Affairs

37. Divorced Spouses Benefits
If you are divorced, and your marriage lasted 10 years or longer, you can receive benefits on your ex-spouse's record if:
You are unmarried;
You are age 62 or older;
Your ex-spouse is entitled to Social Security retirement or disability benefits; and
The benefit you are entitled to receive based on your own work is less than the benefit you would receive based on your ex-spouse's work.

38. Survivor Benefits When you pass away, your surviving spouse can:
Receive 100% of your full benefit if full retirement age; or
At age 60, receive 71.5% of your full benefit and increases each month you wait up to 100% if you start at full retirement age; or
Claim survivor benefits at any age between 60 and full retirement age.

39. Survivor Eligibility Factors
Child
Can receive benefit if not married and is under age 18 (or under age 19 if still in high school)
Disabled Child
Can receive benefits beyond age 18 if not married and was disabled before age 22
Widow / Widower
Can get full benefits at full retirement age – or reduced benefits at age 60 – or as early as age 50 if disabled – or at any age if caring for child under 16 or a disabled child
Generally, you cannot get widow’s or widower’s benefits if you remarry before age 60. But remarriage after age 60 (or age 50 if you are disabled) will not prevent you from getting benefit payments based on your former spouse’s work. Also, at age 62 or older, you may get benefits based on your new spouse’s work, if those benefits would be higher.

40. Other Survivor Benefits
Parents’ Benefits – For a parent who is age 62 and was receiving at least one-half of his or her financial support from the son or daughter who died.
Lump Sum Death Payment – A surviving spouse or child may receive a special lump-sum death payment of $ if they meet certain requirements.
For more information, go to SocialSecurity.gov and type in lump-sum death payment
socialsecurity.gov/survivors

41. We’ll Be Here For Your Family In The Future

42. Who Pays for Social Security?
Social Security is an intergenerational transfer system: today’s workers help pay for current retirees’ and other beneficiaries’ benefits, not their own future benefits.
There’s no account set aside with your name and contributions on it.

43. Life Expectancy Statistics
A man reaching age 65 today can expect to live, on average, until age 84.3.
A woman turning age 65 today can expect to live, on average, until age 86.6.
And those are just averages. About one out of every four 65-year-olds today will live past age 90, and one out of 10 will live past age 95.
socialsecurity.gov/planners/lifeexpectancy.html

44. Social Security in the Future
The two Social Security trust funds – Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) and Disability Insurance (DI) will be able to pay all benefits in full and on time until 2034.
The trust funds have reached the brink of asset reserve depletion in the past, but Congress made substantial modifications to avoid this.
If Congress does not act before 2034, the trust funds will still be able to pay 79 percent of each benefit due.

45. Visit Medicare.gov for details
Part A = Hospital Insurance
Part B = Medical Insurance
Part C = Medicare Advantage Plans
Part D = Prescription Drug Plans
Medicare is our country’s health insurance program for people age 65 or older. People younger than age 65 with certain disabilities, or permanent kidney failure, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease), can also qualify for Medicare.
Medicare has 4 parts:
1. Part A is Hospital Insurance which covers most inpatient hospital expenses. The 2018 deductible for Part A is $1,340.
2. Part B is Medical Insurance which covers 80% of doctor bills & other outpatient medical expenses after your first $183 in approved charges. The 2018 standard monthly premium is $134. There is no monthly premium for Part A if you are insured for retirement benefits. After you retire, your health insurance may require for Medicare to pay first. Many supplemental plans require you to sign up for Medicare Part B. The Medicare premium most beneficiaries pay represents 1/4 of the actual cost, and the Federal government covers the balance of the cost.
3. Part C involves the Medicare Advantage Plans, which are health plan options offered by Medicare-approved private insurance companies . When you join a Medicare advantage plan, you can get the benefits and services covered under Part A, Part B, and in most plans, Part D.
4. Part D is Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage, which covers a major portion of your prescription drug costs. Your out-of-pocket costs—monthly premiums, annual deductible and prescription co-payments—will vary by plan. You enroll with a Medicare-approved prescription drug provider, not by contacting Social Security. Each Medicare Advantage plan can charge different out-of-pocket costs, but they must follow rules established by Medicare. Medicare-approved prescription drug plans cover a major portion of your prescription drug costs.
Visit Medicare.gov for details

46. Medicare Enrollment Initial Enrollment Period
Begins 3 months before your 65th birthday and ends 3 months after that birthday
Special Enrollment Period
If 65 or older and covered under a group health plan based on your – or your spouse’s – current work.
General Enrollment Period
January 1 – March 31
Medicare has three enrollment periods:
Initial Enrollment Period-- your initial enrollment period has a 7-month enrollment period. It begins three months before your 65th birthday, includes the month you turn age 65, and ends three months after that birthday.
Special Enrollment Period-- If you are age 65 or older, you or your spouse are still working and you are covered under a group health plan based on that current employment, you may not need to apply for Medicare medical insurance (Part B) at age 65. You may qualify for a "Special Enrollment Period" (SEP) that will let you sign up for Part B a the time you retire.
General Enrollment Period - If you didn't sign up for Part A and/or Part B (for which you must pay premiums) when you were first eligible, and you aren’t eligible for a Special Enrollment Period, you can sign up during the General Enrollment Period between January 1–March 31 each year. You may have to pay a late enrollment penalty for as long as you have Part B coverage.

47. Medicare Effective Dates for Initial Enrollment
If you enroll in the month of your
initial enrollment period
Then your Part B Medicare
coverage starts
One to three months before you reach age 65
The month you reach age 65
One month after the month you reach age 65
One month after you reach age 65
Two months after the month of enrollment
Two or three months after you reach age 65
Three months after the month of enrollment
This chart shows when your Medicare will become effective if you apply during your initial enrollment period.
If you apply during the 3-month window prior to the month you turn age 65, your Medicare kicks in the 1st day of the month you reach age 65.

48. The standard Part B premium for 2019 is $135.50
If you’re single and file an individual tax return, or married and file a joint tax return
Modified Adjusted Gross Income
Part B monthly premium amount
Prescription drug coverage monthly premium amount
Individuals with a MAGI of $85,000 or less
Married couples with a MAGI of $170,000 or less
2019 standard premium
$135.50
Your plan premium
Individuals with a MAGI above $85,000 up to $107,000
Married couples with a MAGI
above $170,000 up to $214,000
Standard premium
+ $54.10
Your plan premium + $12.40
Individuals with a MAGI above $107,000 up to $133,500
above $214,000 up to $267,000
+ $135.40
Your plan premium + $31.90
Individuals with a MAGI above $133,500 up to $160,000
above $267,000 up to $320,000
+ $216.70
Your plan premium + $51.40
Individuals with a MAGI above $160,000
above $320,000 up to $750,000
+ $297.90
Your plan premium + $70.90
Individuals with a MAGI above $500,000
Married couples with a MAGI above $750,000
+ $325.00
Your plan premium + $77.40
This graphic shows the Medicare premiums for each income bracket.
IRMAA: If you're in a higher-income household, you may be subject to an income related monthly adjustment amount.
(SPEAKER: see chart at bottom of this page for more info:
IRMAA resource:
HSA Information: You should not have an HSA if you are enrolled in Medicare as there may be negative tax implications. Recommended to contact your tax professional for more information.
Source: Medicare.gov

49. Find out if you qualify at socialsecurity.gov/extrahelp
Extra Help Program
Medicare beneficiaries may qualify for Extra Help with their Medicare prescription drug plan costs.
Extra Help is available for beneficiaries with limited resources and income to help pay for the costs related to a Medicare prescription drug plan. These costs include monthly premiums, annual deductibles and prescription co-payments. Extra Help is estimated to be worth about $4,000 per year.
Find out if you qualify at socialsecurity.gov/extrahelp

50. Medicare Applications
If you already have Medicare Part A and wish to add Medicare Part B, simply take or mail forms CMS 40-B and CMS-L564 to your local Social Security office
socialsecurity.gov/medicare/apply.html

51. 1-800-MEDICARE or Medicare.gov
Please keep in mind that although you apply for Medicare by contacting Social Security, and we have some Medicare information on our website, it is actually another federal government agency, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, commonly referred to as “CMS” that administers the program.
CMS is your main source for information regarding Medicare
1-800-MEDICARE or Medicare.gov

52. Applying for Benefits 3 options available to apply:
Online
By phone
At our office
You choose the most convenient option for you!
Note: Supplemental Security Income (SSI), child and survivor claims can only be done by phone or in a field office (not online) at this time. We are developing an online SSI application.
You have three options, once you are ready to put in your application and start up your monthly benefits.
You can apply within 4 months of when you want your benefits to begin.
You have three options, when it comes time.
Your first option is to apply online at This is the most convenient way to apply.
Your second option is to call Social Security to schedule an appointment to apply over the telephone on a day and time that is convenient for you.
Your third option is to call Social Security to schedule an appointment to apply in- person at your local Social Security office with a face-to-face appointment.
Applying online is still the most convenient way to apply for benefits.  You can apply for retirement benefits in as little as 15 minutes.

53. Q&A session Produced at U.S. taxpayer expense
At Social Security, we’re securing today and tomorrow.
Produced at U.S. taxpayer expense