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<h1 class="m-fs4 fw7 mt2 mb2 headline">10 Ways to Protect Your Personal Information</h1>
<p class="fs1 mb2 gray-lighter bc-gray metabox">February 2, 2023 •
By <a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/author/709922a92f4b03544b7ca7e65b48126fbb562cac/" title="Posts by Stephen McGraw, Acting Deputy Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications" class="author url fn" rel="author">Stephen McGraw, Acting Deputy Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications</a> </p>
<span class="bsf-rt-reading-time fs1">
Reading Time: 2 Minutes </span>
<p class="fs1 bb bc-gray pb3"><strong><em>Last Updated:&nbsp;November 2, 2023</em></strong></p>
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<p><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="wp-image-6380 size-medium alignleft" src="https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/protecting-your-identity-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" srcset="https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/protecting-your-identity-300x300.jpg 300w, https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/protecting-your-identity-125x125.jpg 125w, https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/protecting-your-identity.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Identity theft affects millions of people each year and can cause serious harm. Protect yourself by securing your personal information, understanding the threat of identity theft, and exercising caution.</p>
<p>Here are 10 things you can start doing now to protect yourself and your loved ones from identity theft:</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<ol>
<li><a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/protecting-your-social-security-number-from-identity-theft/">Protect your Social Security number</a> by keeping your Social Security card in a safe place at home. Dont carry it with you or provide your number unnecessarily.</li>
<li>Be careful when you speak with unknown callers. Scammers may mislead you by using legitimate phone numbers or the real names of officials. If they threaten you or make you feel uneasy, hang up.</li>
<li>Create strong, unique passwords so others cant easily access your accounts. Use different passwords for different accounts so if a hacker compromises one account, they cant access other accounts. Check out the Federal Trade Commissions <a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/password-checklist">password checklist</a> for tips.</li>
<li>Never give your personal or financial information in response to an unsolicited call or message, and never post it on social media.</li>
<li>Shred paper documents that contain personal information, like your name, birth date, and Social Security number.</li>
<li>Protect your mobile device from unauthorized access by securing it with a PIN, adding a fingerprinting feature, or using facial recognition. You can also add a password and adjust the time before your screen automatically locks.</li>
<li>Regularly check your financial accounts for suspicious transactions. You can also request and check a free credit report from each of the three credit bureaus every year: <a href="https://www.transunion.com/">TransUnion</a>, <a href="https://www.equifax.com/personal/">Equifax</a>, and <a href="https://www.experian.com/">Experian</a>.</li>
<li>Avoid internet threats by installing and maintaining strong anti-virus software on all your devices—including your mobile device and personal computer. Use a virtual private network (VPN) to stay safe on public Wi-Fi. Do not perform certain activities that involve sensitive data, like online shopping and banking, on public Wi-Fi networks.</li>
<li>Protect yourself on social media by customizing your security settings and deleting accounts you no longer use. Also, double-check suspicious messages from your contacts, as hackers may create fake accounts of people you know.</li>
<li>Never click on any link sent via unsolicited email or text message—type in the web address yourself. Only provide information on secure websites.</li>
</ol>
<p>We encourage you to create your own personal <em><a href="https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount"><span class="red-text">my</span></a></em><a href="https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount"><span style="color: #3366ff;"> Social Security</span></a><a href="https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount"> account</a> to track your earnings record. For more information, please read our publication, <a href="https://oig.ssa.gov/files/21-540_Protecting_Personal_Information.pdf"><em>Protecting Personal Information</em></a>. Contact us if you see suspicious work activity on your recordyou could be a victim of identity theft.</p>
<p>Please share this information with your family and friends—and post it on social media.</p>
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<hr class="mb2 after-content"><p class="fs1 gray-lighter"><strong>Tags:</strong> <a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/tag/fraud/" aria-label='fraud Tag' rel="tag">fraud</a>, <a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/tag/my-social-security/" aria-label='my Social Security Tag' rel="tag">my Social Security</a>, <a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/tag/my-social-security-account/" aria-label='my Social Security account Tag' rel="tag">my Social Security account</a>, <a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/tag/scams/" aria-label='scams Tag' rel="tag">scams</a>, <a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/tag/telephone-scams/" aria-label='telephone scams Tag' rel="tag">telephone scams</a></p> <a class="btn px3" href="#comments-anchor">See Comments</a>
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<h2 class="fs2 fw6 mb0 mt4">About the Author</h2>
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<img data-del="avatar" alt="Stephen McGraw, Acting Deputy Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications" src='https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/stephen-mcgraw-scaled-e1660656731116-125x125.jpg' class='avatar pp-user-avatar avatar-60 photo mt0 br-100' height='60' width='60'/> <div class="ml3 mt3">
<h3 class="fs2 fw6 mb0"><a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/author/709922a92f4b03544b7ca7e65b48126fbb562cac/" title="Posts by Stephen McGraw, Acting Deputy Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications" class="author url fn" rel="author">Stephen McGraw, Acting Deputy Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications</a></h3>
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<h3 class="fs2 fw6 mb0">Ritesh k.</h3>
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March 14, 2023 11:40PM </time>
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<p>this information is very helpful for me</p>
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<h3 class="fs2 fw6 mb0">Joan</h3>
<p class="fs1 gray-lighter mt0">
<time datetime="February 14, 2023 2:03PM">
February 14, 2023 2:03PM </time>
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<p>I have been applying for sea since 2021. I have brought them everything asked of me when I gothe sea since 2021. I have brought them everything asked of me when I go back they come up with more and more being denied over and over I was on the sea and got hit by a car in 2017 for a permanent injury I got $67.000 bought a car my point is I no longer need to be t I am now 67 years old not getting public assistance is like to know what will it take for them to see my bank account is got nothing went through what settlement I received. I am now being evicted due to the landlord not getting e instead she is evicting. I Don&#8217;t know where to turn for help. Would appreciate any advise</p>
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<h3 class="fs2 fw6 mb0">Joan</h3>
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<time datetime="February 14, 2023 2:05PM">
February 14, 2023 2:05PM </time>
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<p>I appreciate the tips on scams I get a ton a day.</p>
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src="https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/themes/firefly/assets/images/logo.jpg"/>
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<h3 class="fs2 fw6 mb0">A.C.</h3>
<p class="fs1 gray-lighter mt0">
<time datetime="February 15, 2023 7:18AM">
February 15, 2023 7:18AM </time>
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<p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Hi, Joan. We are sorry to hear about your condition and situation.&nbsp;<span style="color: black; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;">For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can <a name="_Hlk93922174"></a>call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. </span><span class="Heading2Char"><span style="line-height: 107%;">You can also contact your&nbsp;local&nbsp;</span></span><a href="https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span class="Heading2Char"><span style="line-height: 107%; text-decoration: none;">Social Security office</span></span></a><span class="Heading2Char"><span style="line-height: 107%;">. In addition, yo</span></span><span style="color: #444444;">u may be eligible to receive social services from the state in which you live. These services include free meals, housekeeping help, transportation, or help with other problems. To get information about services in your area and find out if you qualify, you will need to contact your state or local social services or welfare office. We hope this helps.</span></span></p>
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<h3 class="fs2 fw6 mb0">Joan</h3>
<p class="fs1 gray-lighter mt0">
<time datetime="February 25, 2023 10:42PM">
February 25, 2023 10:42PM </time>
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<div class="fs1 comment-body">
<p>Thank you for replying and calling the phone number that you have shared no one ever answers as for phone appointments I have had two and no one called. I am disabled it takes a lot for me to go to the social security office where I live the last information they insisted on me getting and bringing to them I did what was asked of me what I got was a person who wouldn&#8217;t even take the legal document. Maybe you can share how to go about getting what I know I am entitled to they have me running in circles. It&#8217;s a shame I will have to pay for an attorney.</p>
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<h3 class="fs2 fw6 mb0">Lana R.</h3>
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<time datetime="March 2, 2023 10:11PM">
March 2, 2023 10:11PM </time>
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<div class="fs1 comment-body">
<p>If you have an ucan office near you they can help with rent if you get behind.<br />
They might be other similar places that can help with rent and utilities bills.</p>
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<h3 class="fs2 fw6 mb0">3</h3>
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<time datetime="February 9, 2023 2:41PM">
February 9, 2023 2:41PM </time>
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<p>3</p>
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<h3 class="fs2 fw6 mb0">Khabir</h3>
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<time datetime="February 7, 2023 6:05AM">
February 7, 2023 6:05AM </time>
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<p>Excellent read, I have read a few of the articles on your website now, and I really like your post. Keep up the effective work.</p>
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<h3 class="fs2 fw6 mb0">Collette B.</h3>
<p class="fs1 gray-lighter mt0">
<time datetime="February 4, 2023 9:45AM">
February 4, 2023 9:45AM </time>
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<p>I think this is a great article to link to my website. I have done Medicare insurance for over a decade. 80% prior to 2020 would just start rambling off their ss# to me without even knowing who I am. I would stop them in mid- sentence and let them know to be careful who they give that to. They don&#8217;t know who I am and should guard it and give to only those that need it for certain business purposes. The new cards have the protection and has made it tougher on agents to help them, but with the right tools we can assist, and I am always happy to help protect them.</p>
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<h3 class="fs2 fw6 mb0">Ralph K.</h3>
<p class="fs1 gray-lighter mt0">
<time datetime="February 2, 2023 5:31PM">
February 2, 2023 5:31PM </time>
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<p>I keep seeing online ads claiming that social security recipients can get $900 in food allowance. Is that true? Who would qualify if there really is such an allowance? If someone&#8217;s a noncitizen resident who has lived and worked in the US for decades, would they qualify?</p>
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<h3 class="fs2 fw6 mb0">MajJohn</h3>
<p class="fs1 gray-lighter mt0">
<time datetime="February 2, 2023 10:55PM">
February 2, 2023 10:55PM </time>
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<p>Non citizens might be entitled to SS when their work credits are combined with work in another country. Things such as a $900 food allowance are scams to get you to sign up for insurance you don&#8217;t need. If one&#8217;s income is low enough they may qualify for welfare to pay their Medicare premium. That extra money could be used for food or whatever. Also low income recipients would be eligible for food stamps thru the county warfare system.</p>
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<h3 class="fs2 fw6 mb0">Sherry</h3>
<p class="fs1 gray-lighter mt0">
<time datetime="February 5, 2023 6:24PM">
February 5, 2023 6:24PM </time>
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<p>The card you are referring to is for disabled and senior citizens. Its based on your income. Once you qualify, you are sent the U-Card for United Health Insurance. There are two cards, one for $180/month, for out of network and $205/month for in network. I heard about a flex card also, but I dont know the specifics on it. Hope that answered your question.</p>
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<h3 class="fs2 fw6 mb0">Janet S.</h3>
<p class="fs1 gray-lighter mt0">
<time datetime="February 11, 2023 1:29AM">
February 11, 2023 1:29AM </time>
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<div class="fs1 comment-body">
<p>The flex card is only through Humana or another insurance. But it&#8217;s like MajJohn said above. I would not give up my Medicare card (red, white and blue card) for any other insurance I don&#8217;t care what they offered.</p>
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<div class="comment-author fx fx-ai-c mt0">
<div class="mt3">
<h3 class="fs2 fw6 mb0">James W.</h3>
<p class="fs1 gray-lighter mt0">
<time datetime="February 2, 2023 3:48PM">
February 2, 2023 3:48PM </time>
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<div class="fs1 comment-body">
<p>My data has been &#8220;lost&#8221; four times that I am aware of. Two from my employer, Boeing, one from my wife&#8217;s employer, the Port of Seattle. Yet the worst of all was when the OPM &#8220;lost&#8221; all the data from my Top Secret security clearance. The US Government is the biggest threat to data loss! Don&#8217;t tell me to protect it when none of you who claim that you must have do not protect my data!</p>
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<h3 class="fs2 fw6 mb0">Teddy W.</h3>
<p class="fs1 gray-lighter mt0">
<time datetime="February 2, 2023 3:21PM">
February 2, 2023 3:21PM </time>
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<div class="fs1 comment-body">
<p>The ssa continues to stress protecting your ss no, but yet they continue to mail the ssa 1099 form showing your complete ss no. When are you going to start masking the no and only show the last 4. Even Medicare changed their number system. I continue to ask that question with no answer.</p>
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<h3 class="fs2 fw6 mb0">MajJohn</h3>
<p class="fs1 gray-lighter mt0">
<time datetime="February 2, 2023 10:49PM">
February 2, 2023 10:49PM </time>
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<div class="fs1 comment-body">
<p>Good point. It&#8217;s about time to only use the last 4 or use other means of delivery such as electronic. Also, you ought to be able to opt out getting it. Many people do not meet the income test wherein they need that information for their tax return.</p>
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<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2023/09/'> September 2023 &nbsp;(6)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2023/08/'> August 2023 &nbsp;(4)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2023/07/'> July 2023 &nbsp;(5)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2023/06/'> June 2023 &nbsp;(4)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2023/05/'> May 2023 &nbsp;(5)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2023/04/'> April 2023 &nbsp;(4)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2023/03/'> March 2023 &nbsp;(5)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2023/02/'> February 2023 &nbsp;(5)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2023/01/'> January 2023 &nbsp;(4)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2022/12/'> December 2022 &nbsp;(7)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2022/11/'> November 2022 &nbsp;(3)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2022/10/'> October 2022 &nbsp;(4)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2022/09/'> September 2022 &nbsp;(5)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2022/08/'> August 2022 &nbsp;(4)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2022/07/'> July 2022 &nbsp;(4)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2022/06/'> June 2022 &nbsp;(5)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2022/05/'> May 2022 &nbsp;(6)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2022/04/'> April 2022 &nbsp;(5)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2022/03/'> March 2022 &nbsp;(4)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2022/02/'> February 2022 &nbsp;(4)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2022/01/'> January 2022 &nbsp;(5)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2021/12/'> December 2021 &nbsp;(5)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2021/11/'> November 2021 &nbsp;(4)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2021/10/'> October 2021 &nbsp;(5)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2021/09/'> September 2021 &nbsp;(5)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2021/08/'> August 2021 &nbsp;(6)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2021/07/'> July 2021 &nbsp;(5)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2021/06/'> June 2021 &nbsp;(4)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2021/05/'> May 2021 &nbsp;(7)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2021/04/'> April 2021 &nbsp;(8)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2021/03/'> March 2021 &nbsp;(8)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2021/02/'> February 2021 &nbsp;(5)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2021/01/'> January 2021 &nbsp;(4)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2020/12/'> December 2020 &nbsp;(4)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2020/11/'> November 2020 &nbsp;(2)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2020/10/'> October 2020 &nbsp;(6)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2020/09/'> September 2020 &nbsp;(4)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2020/08/'> August 2020 &nbsp;(3)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2020/07/'> July 2020 &nbsp;(5)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2020/06/'> June 2020 &nbsp;(4)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2020/05/'> May 2020 &nbsp;(4)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2020/04/'> April 2020 &nbsp;(11)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2020/03/'> March 2020 &nbsp;(8)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2020/02/'> February 2020 &nbsp;(5)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2020/01/'> January 2020 &nbsp;(5)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2019/12/'> December 2019 &nbsp;(3)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2019/11/'> November 2019 &nbsp;(6)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2019/10/'> October 2019 &nbsp;(6)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2019/09/'> September 2019 &nbsp;(6)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2019/08/'> August 2019 &nbsp;(5)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2019/07/'> July 2019 &nbsp;(4)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2019/06/'> June 2019 &nbsp;(5)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2019/05/'> May 2019 &nbsp;(8)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2019/04/'> April 2019 &nbsp;(8)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2019/03/'> March 2019 &nbsp;(3)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2019/02/'> February 2019 &nbsp;(3)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2019/01/'> January 2019 &nbsp;(5)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2018/12/'> December 2018 &nbsp;(5)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2018/11/'> November 2018 &nbsp;(5)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2018/10/'> October 2018 &nbsp;(7)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2018/09/'> September 2018 &nbsp;(6)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2018/08/'> August 2018 &nbsp;(5)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2018/07/'> July 2018 &nbsp;(4)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2018/06/'> June 2018 &nbsp;(7)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2018/05/'> May 2018 &nbsp;(6)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2018/04/'> April 2018 &nbsp;(8)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2018/03/'> March 2018 &nbsp;(5)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2018/02/'> February 2018 &nbsp;(4)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2018/01/'> January 2018 &nbsp;(4)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2017/12/'> December 2017 &nbsp;(5)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2017/11/'> November 2017 &nbsp;(7)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2017/10/'> October 2017 &nbsp;(6)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2017/09/'> September 2017 &nbsp;(6)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2017/08/'> August 2017 &nbsp;(9)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2017/07/'> July 2017 &nbsp;(9)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2017/06/'> June 2017 &nbsp;(9)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2017/05/'> May 2017 &nbsp;(10)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2017/04/'> April 2017 &nbsp;(6)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2017/03/'> March 2017 &nbsp;(11)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2017/02/'> February 2017 &nbsp;(5)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2017/01/'> January 2017 &nbsp;(8)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2016/12/'> December 2016 &nbsp;(9)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2016/11/'> November 2016 &nbsp;(11)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2016/10/'> October 2016 &nbsp;(8)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2016/09/'> September 2016 &nbsp;(11)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2016/08/'> August 2016 &nbsp;(8)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2016/07/'> July 2016 &nbsp;(8)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2016/06/'> June 2016 &nbsp;(6)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2016/05/'> May 2016 &nbsp;(11)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2016/04/'> April 2016 &nbsp;(9)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2016/03/'> March 2016 &nbsp;(9)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2016/02/'> February 2016 &nbsp;(9)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2016/01/'> January 2016 &nbsp;(6)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2015/12/'> December 2015 &nbsp;(4)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2015/11/'> November 2015 &nbsp;(9)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2015/10/'> October 2015 &nbsp;(8)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2015/09/'> September 2015 &nbsp;(8)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2015/08/'> August 2015 &nbsp;(10)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2015/07/'> July 2015 &nbsp;(8)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2015/06/'> June 2015 &nbsp;(8)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2015/05/'> May 2015 &nbsp;(6)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2015/04/'> April 2015 &nbsp;(1)</option>
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