1. Social Security: With You Through Life’s Journey…
Notes to speaker:
Please remember to test the video on Slide 2 and adjust the computer’s volume in the room where you will be speaking BEFORE you are introduced and begin your presentation. If you are using a CD-R or thumb-drive with a non-SSA computer provided by the organization that requested the speech, the captions may not work if the STAMP add-in is not already installed on their computer. If audio will not be available, you can hide the next slide – in PowerPoint, so that they will be skipped as you click through the presentation.
You will need to install STAMP to every SSA presentation laptop on which you want to display captioned videos. Here are your installation instructions:
Download STAMP:
Install STAMP Setup to the presentation laptop PowerPoint. (STAMP is a PowerPoint Add-in that allows for the addition and manipulation of captions, and caption files to videos)
Click Run
Click Next
Accept the terms of the License Agreement and click Next
Click Install, then click Finish and restart the PowerPoint program on your laptop.
You may want to add the name of the organization or event (seminar, conference, workshop, etc.) and the date of the event to this slide by clicking Insert, then clicking Text Box, and typing in the details.
DO NOT remove the taxpayer expense disclaimer from this slide, as it is now required by law.
Be sure to thank the person who invited you to speak, thank the organization for making SSA a part of today’s event, and make a few introductory comments (such as how long you have worked at SSA, your job title, and why you feel Social Security is relevant to this event/organization).
BEGINNING OF SPEAKER’S FORMAL SCRIPT:
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. Who Gets Benefits from Social Security?
60 million people
This graph is an overview of 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).

4. Full Retirement Age Year of Birth Full Retirement Age
1937 or earlier 65
& 2 months
& 4 months
& 6 months
& 8 months
& 10 months
1943 –
& 2 months
& 4 months
& 6 months
& 8 months
& 10 months
1960 or later 67
The increase in full retirement age was the result of the 1983 Amendments. Full retirement age increases apply to all Retirement Benefits and to 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 “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. You should apply for Medicare 3 months before your 65th birthday, even when you plan to apply for your retirement or spouse’s benefits later.

5. socialsecurity.gov/myaccount
Social Security presentation for 2017 National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Preretirement Seminars
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. A Foundation for Planning Your Future66
A Foundation for Planning Your Future

7. Your Age When You Retire Affects Your Benefits77
Your Age When You Retire Affects Your Benefits
If You’re A Worker and Retire:
At age 62, you get less money permanently
At your full retirement age, you get your full benefit
You get even more money if you wait past your full retirement age

8. If you were born between 1943 and 1954
Full Retirement Age
If you were born between 1943 and 1954
Your full retirement age is 66
(fill in year of birth)

9. How Social Security Determines Your Benefit99
How Social Security Determines Your Benefit
Social Security benefits are based on earnings
Step 1 Your wages are adjusted for inflation
Step 2 Find the average of your 35 highest earnings years
Step 3 Result is “average indexed monthly earnings”
This graph provides an overview of the first step that we use in computing a benefit. We are looking for the highest 35 years during a worker's lifetime of earnings, regardless of when earned. Workers that stop working before age 62 are not penalized for so doing, they simply may not have the opportunity to replace lower year wages with the current higher amounts.
This formula also underscores how a worker could qualify for a retirement benefit with just 10 years of work. However, since we are looking for their highest 35 years, in this example, we would be adding in 25 zero years. Needless to say, this worker will be receiving a low benefit. There is no such thing as a minimum benefit.
Worksheet:

10. Social Security Administration
Social Security Administration Presentation 2009 Boomertirement Road Show
For example, if you want to stop working at age 50, under Scenario 2, select 50 from the drop-down and enter the annual earnings estimate;
Or if you want to work until age 65, you can make the appropriate entries under Scenario 3.
And then click on the ‘Create Scenarios’ button again to see your results at the bottom of this page.
You can repeat this process on this page for a different age and /or future earnings estimate.
When you’re done, you should exit this personal page by clicking on the ‘Logout’ button and close out your web browser.
Produced by
Social Security Administration
Office of Communications/ Office of External Affairs

11. If You Work AND Receive Benefits …
IF YOU ARE
YOU CAN
MAKE UP TO
IF YOU MAKE MORE, SOME BENEFITS WILL BE WITHHELD
UNDER FULL RETIREMENT AGE
$1 FOR EVERY $2
THE YEAR FULL RETIREMENT AGE IS REACHED
$1 FOR EVERY $3
MONTH OF FULL RETIREMENT AGE AND BEYOND
NO LIMIT
NO LIMIT
Use the ONLINE
Earnings Limit Calculator
$17,040/year
($1,420/mo)
2018 $45,360/year
($3,780/mo)

12. In Addition to the Retiree, Who Else Can Get Benefits?
In Addition to the Retiree,
Who Else Can Get Benefits?
Your Spouse
At age 62
At any age if caring for child under 16 or disabled
Divorced spouses may qualify
Your Child
If a spouse is caring for a child under age 16, of the worker, the spouse could qualify regardless of their age. When the youngest child turns 16, the spouse’s benefit will stop, even though the child’s benefit will continue.
A divorced spouse could receive a benefit as long as they were married at least 10 years. It is possible that more than one spouse could receive a benefit, without penalty or reduction, as if they were the only spouse.
Not married under 18
(under 19 if still in high school)‏
Not married and disabled before age 22
** Earnings Limit

13. Benefits for Divorced Spouses
If you are divorced, and your marriage lasted 10 years or longer, you may be able receive benefits on your ex-spouse's record (even if he or she has remarried) 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
If you are divorced, and your marriage lasted 10 years or longer, you can receive benefits on your ex-spouse's record (even if he or she has remarried) 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.
Your benefit as a divorced spouse is equal to one-half of your ex-spouse's full retirement amount (or disability benefit) if you start receiving benefits at your full retirement age. The benefits do not include any delayed retirement credits your ex-spouse may receive.
If you remarry, you generally cannot collect benefits on your former spouse's record unless your later marriage ends (whether by death, divorce or annulment).
If your ex-spouse has not applied for retirement benefits, but can qualify for them, you can receive benefits on his or her record if you have been divorced for at least two years.
If you are eligible for retirement benefits on your own record and divorced spouse’s benefits, we will pay the retirement benefit first. If the benefit on your ex-spouse’s record is higher, you will get an additional amount on your ex-spouse’s record so that the combination of benefits equals that higher amount.
If you were born before January 2, 1954 and have already reached full retirement age, you can choose to receive only the divorced spouse’s benefit and delay receiving your retirement benefit until a later date. If your birthday is January 2, 1954 or later, the option to take only one benefit at full retirement age no longer exists.  If you file for one benefit, you will be effectively filing for all retirement or spousal benefits.

14. Spouse’s Benefit Computation
Benefit is between 35% (age 62) and 50% (age 66) of primary worker’s full benefit.
Amount depends on age of spouse, lower percentage for early retirement
If spouse’s own benefit is less than 50% of the primary worker’s, the benefits are combined
If spouse’s own benefit is more than 50% of primary worker’s, eliminates spouse’s benefit
Primary worker’s benefit is not reduced if someone is receiving a dependent benefit from his/her record.
(fill in year of birth)
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.
For example:
If full retirement age is 65, a spouse can get 37.5 percent of the worker’s unreduced benefit at age 62;
If full retirement age is 66, a spouse can get 35 percent of the worker’s unreduced benefit at age 62;
If full retirement age is 67, a spouse can get 32.5 percent of the worker’s unreduced benefit at age 62.
The amount of the benefit increases at later ages up to the maximum of 50 percent at full retirement age. If full retirement age is other than those shown in our example, the amount of the benefit will fall between 32.5 percent and 37.5 percent at age 62.
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.

15. Who Can Get Survivors Benefits?
Who Can Get Survivors Benefits?
Widow or Widower:
Reduced benefits at age 60
If disabled as early as age 50
At any age if caring for child under 16 or disabled
Divorced widows/widowers may qualify
You may wish to explain how a widow or widower can receive a survivors benefit at age 60 and then switch to a benefit on their own work record at age 62. Or, how a widow or widower could receive a reduced survivors benefit at age 60 and then file for an unreduced benefit on their own work record at their full retirement age.
Regardless of the change in full retirement age, a widow(er) can still receive 71-1/2% at age 60.
If Your Child Is:
Not married under age 18 (under 19 if still in high school)‏
Not married and disabled before age 22
**Earnings Limit

16. Who Can Get Medicare? 65 & older OR
Who Can Get Medicare?
65 & older OR
Receiving Social Security disability
benefits at least 24 months
Permanent kidney failure
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)‏
You may wish to remind your audience that although the full retirement age has been increased above age 65, Medicare eligibility is still at age 65.

17. Medicare Coverage and Premiums
PART
DESCRIPTION
PREMIUM A
HOSPITAL INSURANCE
FREE for most workers
($1316 deductible) B
MEDICAL INSURANCE
2018: $134.80* base premium;
Covers 80% doctor bills & other outpatient medical expenses C
ADVANTAGE PLANS
or a 20% supplemental plan
Varies depending on coverage needs D
PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE
Varies depending on state and coverage needs
Senior Linkage Line
* May be more for higher income individuals – only affects 4% of total Medicare beneficiaries

18. Special Enrollment Period (SEP)
If you are covered under a Group Health Plan based on current employment, you have a SEP to sign up for Part A and/or Part B anytime after age 65 as long as:
- You or your spouse is working
- You (or spouse) are covered by a group health plan (GHP) through the employer based on current employment
- You have an 8-month SEP window to sign up for Part A and/or Part B at no penalty
You do not pay a late enrollment penalty if you sign up during a SEP
CMS- L564 (employer form) and CMS - 40B (employee form)

19. Do I Need to Sign up for Part A?
Consider
It’s free for most people
If you/your spouse is actively working and covered by employer plan, Part A Hospital can be secondary insurance
Note: Hennepin County does not have a HSA (health care savings account)
If you're receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Benefits at least 4 months before you turn 65, you’ll be automatically enrolled in free Part A.
If you don't get Part A automatically, you should consider signing up for Part A when you're first eligible (during your IEP). Most people don’t pay a monthly premium for Part A coverage because they or their spouse paid Medicare taxes while working.
If you aren’t eligible for free Part A, and you don’t buy it when you’re first eligible, your monthly premium may go up 10% for every 12 months you didn’t have the coverage. You’ll have to pay the higher premium for twice the number of years you could have had Part A, but didn’t sign up. The 10% premium surcharge will apply only after 12 months have elapsed from the last day of the IEP to the last date of the enrollment period you used to enroll. In other words, if it's less than 12 months, the penalty won’t apply. This penalty, also won’t apply to you if you're eligible for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). Remember, you’re only eligible for an SEP if you or your spouse (or family member if you’re disabled) is actively working, and covered by a group health plan through the employer or union based on that work, or during the 8-month period that begins the month after the employment ends or the group health plan coverage ends, whichever happens first.
If you're still working or have coverage through a spouse, talk to your employer benefits coordinator to learn how enrolling in Medicare (or delaying enrollment) will affect your employer coverage. You can no longer contribute to a Health Savings Account (HSA) if you have Medicare. Talk to your company’s benefits administrator about when you should stop contributing to an HSA if you plan to sign up for Medicare. You may have to stop contributing to your HSA up to 6 months before your Medicare starts. You can withdraw money from your HSA after you enroll in Medicare to help pay for medical expenses (like deductibles, premiums, copayments). If you contribute to your HSA after you have Medicare, you could be subject to a tax penalty by the IRS. See IRS Publication 969 for more information: IRS.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p969.pdf.

20. Applying for Benefits 3 options available to apply:
Online
By phone
At our office (appointment is best)
You choose the most convenient option for you!
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.

21. What Will You Need When Applying for Your Social Security Benefits?
Social Security number for each applicant
Proof of age (only if date of birth allegation doesn't match Social Security records)
Latest W-2 or self-employment tax return
Earnings estimate
Bank information for direct deposit
Information about marriages/divorces
Information about military or railroad service
We need to see the appropriate proofs when you file your claim.

22. Social Security presentation for 2017 National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Preretirement Seminars
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.
Produced by the Social Security Administration Office of Communications/ Office of External Affairs