Social Security Information

According to various online Social Security information sources, the Social Security Administration of the United States oversees the collection and distribution of funds from dedicated payroll taxes, under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA), which was initially signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1935. At that time, farm workers, the self-employed, and companies with less than ten employees were excluded, which was almost half of the civilian workforce in the country. Two years later, the FICA was amended for the first time and then again in 1965 and 1975. Today, Social Security widely refers to benefits for retirement, disability, survivorship, and death, and reform of the Social Security system continues to be a major political issue. 

The official website of the United States Social Security Administration (SSA) is www.ssa.gov, where you can go to find general Social Security information in addition to other services. Popular links to articles, such as the future of the SSA and other discussions can be found here including all the latest news and reports.

Social Security information including how to qualify and apply for benefits, request a statement, access forms, replace your lost, stolen, or damaged social security or Medicare card, change your address or phone number, report birth of a child, death of a family member, marriage and divorce name changes, request a proof of income letter, find a local social security office, and lots more can all be found on the website. If you're presently receiving disability or Social Security go online to check out the new Medicare prescription drug plans and find out information about Medicare insurance coverage and more.

Social Security makes up a substantial part of many retirees' monthly income, if not all of it; others are fortunate enough to have additional income to supplement their monthly Social Security check. With the future of Social Security being scrutinized, it is important to plan your retirement well in advance. Use the online calculators to see what your retirement benefits will be on the SSA's website; don't count on your Social Security alone to carry you through your retirement. Everything costs more than it did just a few years ago, especially the essentials like gasoline, groceries, housing, and electricity, which is why it is so important to plan ahead. If your employer sponsors a retirement and pension program, take advantage of it. Also visit www.aarp.org, the site of the American Association of Retired Persons to find resources, and news, in addition to retirement and Social Security information.