New Scam in Town......Scammers Use Fake E Mail to Lure Victims Into Giving Personal Information.

Posted on January 27, 2016 by Amy Herbert, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

The subject line says “Get Protected,” and the email talks about new features from the Social Security Administration (SSA) that can help taxpayers monitor their credit reports, and know about unauthorized use of their Social Security number. It even cites the IRS and the official-sounding “S.A.F.E Act 2015.” It sounds real, but it’s all made up.

It’s a phishing email to get you to click on a scammer’s link. If you do, a scammer can install malware — like viruses and spyware — on your computer. Or, the link might send you to a spoof site — a lookalike website set up by a scammer to trick you into entering your personal information.



Not sure if an email is really from the government? Here are a couple of clues. Did the email end up in your junk folder? Email providers use filters to help catch phishing scams and prevent spam from getting into your inbox. And when you hover your cursor over the link, is the web address really a trusted website? In this fake SSA email, when you hover over the URL you’re invited to click on, you see the link goes to an unrelated “.com” — instead of the Social Security Administration’s socialsecurity.gov or another “.gov” site.

If you get a questionable email, don’t click on any links, or open any attachments. Report it to the FTC by forwarding the email to spam@uce.gov — and to the real organization impersonated in the email. You also can report it to your email provider. Some email providers let you mark messages as phishing scams. Your report is most effective when you include the full email header, although most email programs hide this information. To find out the full header, type the name of your email service with “full email header” into your favorite search engine, and include this information in your report. When you’re done, delete the email.

If you’re unsure about an email that looks like it’s from the government, contact the agency directly. But find the contact info yourself.

Medicare Open Enrollment: Five Things You Need to Do............. Open Enrollment ENDS DECEMBER 7th......

 

 

Posted on November 30, 2015 by Dr. Patrick Conway, CMS Principal Deputy Administrator and Chief Medical Officer

Routines help keep us focused, organized, and even healthy. However, if your health routine doesn’t include preparing for Medicare’s Open Enrollment, now’s the time to kick-start a new healthy habit.
If you have a Medicare health or prescription drug plan, you should review and compare coverage options. The Open Enrollment runs through December 7 and is the time you can make changes to your plan. Even if you’re happy with your current coverage, you might find a better fit for your budget or your health needs. If you miss an Open Enrollment deadline, you’ll most likely have to wait a full year before you can change your plan.
Here are five things every Medicare beneficiary can do to get in the Medicare Open Enrollment routine.

1. Review your plan notice. Be sure to read any notices from your Medicare plan about changes for next year, especially your “Annual Notice of Change” letter. Look at your plan’s information to make sure your drugs are still covered and your doctors are still in network.

2. Think about what matters most to you. Medicare health and drug plans change each year and so can your health needs. Do you need a new primary care doctor? Does your network include the specialist you want for an upcoming surgery? Does your current plan cover your new medications? Does another plan offer the same value at a lower cost? Take stock of your health status and determine if you need to make a change.

3. Find out if you qualify for help paying for your Medicare. Learn about programs in your state to help with the costs of Medicare premiums, your Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Medicare Part B (medical insurance) deductibles, coinsurance and co-payments, and Medicare prescription drug coverage costs. Visit Medicare.gov or make an appointment with a local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) counselor if you need help.

4. Shop for plans that meet your needs and fit your budget. You can use the Medicare Plan Finder tool to see what other plans are offered in your area. A new plan may:

• Cost less;
• Cover your drugs costs; or
• Let you use the providers you want, like your doctor or pharmacy.

If you find that your current coverage still meets your needs, then you don’t need to make any changes. Remember, during Medicare Open Enrollment, you can decide to stay in Original Medicare or join a Medicare Advantage Plan. If you’re already in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you can switch back to Original Medicare.

5. Check your plan’s star rating before you enroll. The Medicare Plan Finder includes Star Ratings for the 2016 Medicare health and prescription drug plans. Plans are rated for quality on a one- to five-star scale: one star represents poor performance and five stars represent excellent performance. Be sure to use the ratings to compare the quality of any health and drug plans you are considering.

These are a few easy ways to get a jump-start on your Medicare Open Enrollment. For more information, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) and say “Agent.” TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048. Help is available 24 hours a day, including weekends. If you need help in a language other than English or Spanish, let the customer service representative know the language. You can also visit a local SHIP counselor. SHIP counselors provide free, one-on-one, non-biased Medicare assistance. Get free personalized health insurance counseling by calling your SHIP at the number listed on the Medicare contacts page or call 1-800-MEDICARE.

United States Treasury Department Offers New Retirement Savings Plan to Americans.

myRA, U.S. Treasury’s New Retirement Savings Option

Posted on November 5, 2015 by Doug Walker, Deputy Commissioner, Communications

The U.S. Treasury Department has introduced myRA, a retirement savings account for individuals looking for a simple, safe, and affordable way to save for their retirement. Over thirty percent of all American households have no retirement savings. myRA provides a way to start saving for retirement.

Designed for people who don’t have access to a retirement savings plan through their job, myRA offers a favorable choice for those who want to save for retirement. With myRA:

• There’s no cost and no fees to open and maintain an account;
• The investment will not lose money;
• U.S. Treasury backs the investment;
• Account owners choose how much to save ($2, $20, $200 – whatever fits their budget);
• If account owners change jobs, the account stays with them; and
• Account owners can withdraw the money they put in without tax and penalty.

There are several ways to fund a myRA account:

• From a paycheck. Account owners can set up automatic direct deposits with their employer(s) to their myRA.
• From a checking or savings account. Account owners can set up recurring or one-time contributions from their checking or savings accounts to their myRA.
• From a federal tax refund. At tax time, account owners can direct all or part of their federal tax return to their myRA.

Employers do not manage employee myRA accounts, contribute to them, or match employee contributions. At no cost to them, employers simply facilitate an ongoing payroll deduction from the employee’s paycheck to the designated myRA account in the amount the employee chooses.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT myRA,

head to the U.S Treasury website by clicking HERE:

www.myRA.treasury.gov.

No Cost-of-Living Adjustment in Social Security Checks for 2016

 

Posted on October 15, 2015 by Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications

Social Security’s annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is an increase in the benefit amount people receive each month. By law, the monthly Social Security and SSI federal benefit rate increases when there is a rise in the cost of living. The government measures changes in the cost of living through the Department of Labor’s Consumer Price Index (CPI-W).

The CPI has not risen since the last cost-of-living adjustment in 2015. As a result, your SSI benefit rate and, for most people, your Social Security benefit amount will stay the same in 2016.
This news isn’t necessarily bad. When inflation stays at the same rate, your cost of living also stays the same. Prices for goods and services, on average, haven’t increased enough to affect the COLA.
Other changes that would normally take effect based on changes in the national average wage index also won’t begin in January 2016. Since there is no COLA, the statute also prohibits a change in the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax, as well as the retirement earnings test exempt amounts. These amounts will remain unchanged in 2016. The new fact sheet provides more information on 2016 Social Security and SSI changes.
For additional information about the 2016 COLA, go to www.socialsecurity.gov/cola.
For additional information about changes in the national average wage index, go to www.socialsecurity.gov/OACT/COLA/AWI.html.

Replacing Your Medicare Card – Know Before You Go (Online)

From the Social Security Administration Office:

Posted on August 27, 2015 by Doug Walker, Deputy Commissioner, Communications

Keeping your important personal documents safe can be challenging. We understand that, occasionally these important pieces of information can get lost.
Your Medicare card is one of the most important pieces of identification you own as a Medicare beneficiary. This card proves that you have health insurance, so medical professionals can provide you with needed care, and insurance companies can pay for all or part of this care accurately.
If you damage or lose your card, and you’re currently entitled to Medicare, you can order a replacement card easily using your personal my Social Security account. All you need is a computer or tablet with Internet access. Your card will arrive in the mail in about 30 days.
To make an online request, you’ll need

• Your last (exact) payment amount, or the month and year you last received a payment, if you’ve received benefits in the last 12 months.
• Your name as it appears on your most recent Social Security card
• Your Social Security number
• Your date of birth
• Your phone number in case we need to contact you about your request
• Your email address (optional)

You may also need

• Your place of birth
• Your mother’s maiden name (to help identify you)

If you can’t use the online request to get a replacement Medicare card, or if you prefer, call Social Security’s toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). Our representatives will be glad to help you. You can also visit one of our local Social Security offices. For the office closest to you, try our online field office locator.

AUGUST is NATIONAL BYSTANDER AWARENESS MONTH. What are YOU Doing to Prevent Fraud?

Don’t Stand by … Speak Up!

Posted on August 20, 2015 by Doug Walker, Deputy Commissioner, Communications

 

August is National Bystander Awareness Month.

As a bystander, you can play an essential role in preventing violence, wrongdoings, and fraud. Have you ever witnessed something that you knew was wrong and wondered if you should report it? Did you want to say something, but didn’t because you were afraid of negative consequences? Don’t be afraid, because there are federal laws to protect you.
Reporting information or activity that you suspect is illegal, dishonest, or false is your right.
Reportable violations could be abuse of authority, gross waste of funds, a specific danger to public health or safety, or gross mismanagement.
Social Security’s programs were originally created to serve the American public, and 80 years later they still provide critical support to people of all ages. As good stewards of the tax dollars you entrust to us, we design our systems to protect the program against fraud, waste, and abuse.
But, our systems can’t catch everything. And that’s where you can help.
We need you to help us detect and deter fraud, waste, and abuse. Reporting wrongful acts can save lives and taxpayers dollars. Don’t let illegal or dishonest behavior happen on your watch. Learn what we are doing to fight fraud and how you can report fraud.

The Social Security Administration Announces "Simplify Your Life" Week.

Simplify Your Life Week

Posted on August 6, 2015 by Doug Walker, Deputy Commissioner, Communications

You’re a busy person! Today’s world is fast-paced and leaves you with a lot to juggle each day.
This is Simplify Your Life Week, and we’re here to help save you time and energy so you can spend more time on the things you enjoy.
What if we told you there’s a place that can help you meet many of your Social Security needs at once?

You can access many of our convenient and secure services online when you visit our “What You Can Do Online” website. In a matter of minutes, you can open your free my Social Security account and view your earnings history in your Social Security Statement. The Retirement Estimator is another great tool to help find the best retirement age for you based on your earnings and your individual circumstances. This is a simple and quick way to see what you could be getting every month after you start receiving retirement benefits.
When you join the millions who already do business with us online, you can find out if you qualify for benefits. Then, you can get estimates of the future retirement, disability, and survivor benefits you or your family could be eligible to receive. After that, the next step is applying for those benefits electronically! In most retirement cases, that’s it. You don’t have any more papers to sign or documents to provide.
If you already receive benefits, you can access your benefit verification letter, change your address or phone number, and start or update direct deposit information.
Simplifying your life isn’t just about removing distractions; it’s also about improving your quality of life. Let us help you, whether you’re going through a major life change or you want to rest easy after seeing the options your future holds. Using our online services is just one more way you can make your life less complicated!

The Social Security Administration Celebrates Single Working Women's Week August 2 - 8.

Single Working Women’s Week

Posted on August 3, 2015 by Phil Gambino, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications

We have a longstanding commitment to meeting the distinct needs of the single, working woman. By better understanding your benefits as a single woman, you can capture more Social Security income over your lifetime, and we want to show you how.

Single Working Women’s week is August 2 – 8, and it’s the perfect time to create a my Social Security account. Creating a my Social Security  account gives you access to your personal online Social Security Statement. You work hard every day to build a secure financial future, and your downloadable Statement makes planning that much easier. Make sure your earnings are posted correctly, and find out how your future retirement is shaping up when you view your Statement. You owe it to yourself to be sure you are on the right financial path.
Having a strategic retirement plan already in place is important. Take advantage of the benefits of having a my Social Security account to form this plan. You can also gather additional tips from our fact sheet Social Security Is Important To Women, which offers snapshots on how to make the best decisions for your lifestyle.
Not only are women, in general, boosting their individual retirement savings, but over the past four decades, women are living longer. These facts reinforce the need to apply two key retirement principles: plan and save.
Take time to explore your financial and retirement options with us. The idea is to get the most from your benefits, and we’re here as a dedicated resource to assist you along the way.

Social Security Administration Celebrates 80th Year in Service.

Social Security is turning 80 years old in 2015, beginning it's services in 1935.  While we all hear that Social Security is failing, Program Deputy Commissioner Doug Walker, posts this positive and reassuring message for the 80th year in service.....

 

Social Security is Turning 80 and Has Never Been Better!

Posted on June 29, 2015 by Doug Walker, Deputy Commissioner, Communications

 

 

The Social Security program is turning 80 years old this year, but age has only made us stronger, wiser, and more agile! We are pleased that, through the years, we continue to provide our best customer service to you, the American public, by innovating with the latest technology.
In August of 1935, our mission started by offering retirement programs to assist the most vulnerable members of the public. Everything was done by hand — paper forms were filed and calculated for every person in the United States. Other agencies donated employees to help with our new mission. Today, we have about 60,000 dedicated and compassionate employees, and our services are digital, mobile, and secure through our many online applications. In fact, July 19-25 is National my Social Security week. We will host numerous events and activities across the country to raise awareness about the benefits of opening a secure my Social Security account.
With a secure my Social Security account, you can verify your earnings history, see your future benefit estimates, and much more from the comfort of your home or office. The convenience and safety of doing business online is another way we’re meeting the changing needs and lifestyles of our customers. As we said, turning 80 has only made us quicker on our feet.
As we work to expand online services for those who prefer that flexibility, we continue our commitment to providing you with top-notch, face-to-face assistance in field offices across the nation or through our nationwide toll-free telephone service. Our frontline employees offer world-class service to millions each day.
We’ve come a long way and are proud of our strong history of service to you. We look forward to making the next 80 years just as great with continued professionalism and innovation!