ssa-gov/blog.ssa.gov/why-i-serve/comment-page-6/index.html

1374 lines
89 KiB
HTML
Raw Blame History

This file contains ambiguous Unicode characters

This file contains Unicode characters that might be confused with other characters. If you think that this is intentional, you can safely ignore this warning. Use the Escape button to reveal them.

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html class="no-js" lang="en-US">
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8">
<meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge">
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"></meta>
<title>Why I Serve | SSA</title>
<style type='text/css'>.hsc-button-hideshow { font-size: 14px !important; }</style><script type="text/javascript">var hsc_hideshow_print = "<p class='hsc-button hsc-button-hideshow hsc-buttonskin-white' style='text-align:left;' ><a class='hsc-link' id='hsc-btn-hideshow' href='javascript:;'><span>Show Comments</span></a></p>";var hsc_show_button_text = 'Show Comments';var hsc_hide_button_text = 'Hide Comments';var comment_identifier = '#comments';var loadmore_identifier = '.hsc-comment-class';var identifier_type = 'auto';var hide_show = true;var load_more = false;var load_more_animation = 'none';var hide_show_animation = 'none';</script><style type='text/css'>.hsc-button-loadmore { font-size: 14px !important; }</style><script type="text/javascript">var hsc_loadmore_print = "<p class='hsc-button hsc-button-loadmore hsc-buttonskin-none' style='text-align:left;' ><a class='hsc-link' id='hsc-btn-loadmore' href='javascript:;'><span>Load More</span></a></p>";var loadmore_load_number = "3";var comment_identifier = '#comments';var loadmore_identifier = '.hsc-comment-class';var identifier_type = 'auto';var hide_show = true;var load_more = false;var load_more_animation = 'none';var hide_show_animation = 'none';</script> <style>img:is([sizes="auto" i], [sizes^="auto," i]) { contain-intrinsic-size: 3000px 1500px }</style>
<!-- The SEO Framework by Sybre Waaijer -->
<meta name="robots" content="noindex,max-snippet:-1,max-image-preview:standard,max-video-preview:-1" />
<meta name="description" content="On the eve of Social Security&rsquo;s 80th anniversary, we want to share a personal moment with you. We usually talk about the services we offer, and why we believe&#8230;" />
<meta property="og:type" content="article" />
<meta property="og:locale" content="en_US" />
<meta property="og:site_name" content="SSA" />
<meta property="og:title" content="Why I Serve | SSA" />
<meta property="og:description" content="On the eve of Social Security&rsquo;s 80th anniversary, we want to share a personal moment with you. We usually talk about the services we offer, and why we believe offering these services is important to&#8230;" />
<meta property="og:url" content="https://blog.ssa.gov/why-i-serve/" />
<meta property="og:image" content="https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Why-I-Serve.jpg" />
<meta property="og:image:width" content="500" />
<meta property="og:image:height" content="350" />
<meta property="og:image:alt" content="A man smiling at a woman sitting from across a desk" />
<meta property="og:image" content="https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Why-I-Serve-300x210.jpg" />
<meta property="article:published_time" content="2015-08-13T14:00:31+00:00" />
<meta property="article:modified_time" content="2021-08-19T18:33:49+00:00" />
<meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" />
<meta name="twitter:title" content="Why I Serve | SSA" />
<meta name="twitter:description" content="On the eve of Social Security&rsquo;s 80th anniversary, we want to share a personal moment with you. We usually talk about the services we offer, and why we believe offering these services is important to&#8230;" />
<meta name="twitter:image" content="https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Why-I-Serve.jpg" />
<meta name="twitter:image:alt" content="A man smiling at a woman sitting from across a desk" />
<script type="application/ld+json">{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https://blog.ssa.gov/#/schema/WebSite","url":"https://blog.ssa.gov/","name":"SSA","description":"The Official Blog of Social Security","inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https://blog.ssa.gov/search/{search_term_string}/"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://blog.ssa.gov/#/schema/Organization","name":"SSA","url":"https://blog.ssa.gov/"}},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://blog.ssa.gov/why-i-serve/","url":"https://blog.ssa.gov/why-i-serve/","name":"Why I Serve | SSA","description":"On the eve of Social Security&rsquo;s 80th anniversary, we want to share a personal moment with you. We usually talk about the services we offer, and why we believe&#8230;","inLanguage":"en-US","isPartOf":{"@id":"https://blog.ssa.gov/#/schema/WebSite"},"breadcrumb":{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://blog.ssa.gov/#/schema/BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":"https://blog.ssa.gov/","name":"SSA"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":"https://blog.ssa.gov/category/general/","name":"Category: General"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Why I Serve"}]},"potentialAction":{"@type":"ReadAction","target":"https://blog.ssa.gov/why-i-serve/"},"datePublished":"2015-08-13T14:00:31+00:00","dateModified":"2021-08-19T18:33:49+00:00","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://blog.ssa.gov/#/schema/Person/0b1a7c7e291ba413e568fb00c1392bd1","name":"Doug Walker, Deputy Commissioner, Communications","description":"Deputy Commissioner..."}}]}</script>
<!-- / The SEO Framework by Sybre Waaijer | 8.39ms meta | 0.18ms boot -->
<link rel='dns-prefetch' href='//blog.ssa.gov' />
<link rel='dns-prefetch' href='//fonts.googleapis.com' />
<link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="Social Security Matters &raquo; Feed" href="https://blog.ssa.gov/feed/" />
<link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="Social Security Matters &raquo; Comments Feed" href="https://blog.ssa.gov/comments/feed/" />
<link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="Social Security Matters &raquo; Why I Serve Comments Feed" href="https://blog.ssa.gov/why-i-serve/feed/" />
<link rel='stylesheet' id='wp-block-library-css' href='https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-includes/css/dist/block-library/style.min.css?ver=6.7.1' type='text/css' media='all' />
<style id='co-authors-plus-coauthors-style-inline-css' type='text/css'>
.wp-block-co-authors-plus-coauthors.is-layout-flow [class*=wp-block-co-authors-plus]{display:inline}
</style>
<style id='co-authors-plus-avatar-style-inline-css' type='text/css'>
.wp-block-co-authors-plus-avatar :where(img){height:auto;max-width:100%;vertical-align:bottom}.wp-block-co-authors-plus-coauthors.is-layout-flow .wp-block-co-authors-plus-avatar :where(img){vertical-align:middle}.wp-block-co-authors-plus-avatar:is(.alignleft,.alignright){display:table}.wp-block-co-authors-plus-avatar.aligncenter{display:table;margin-inline:auto}
</style>
<style id='co-authors-plus-image-style-inline-css' type='text/css'>
.wp-block-co-authors-plus-image{margin-bottom:0}.wp-block-co-authors-plus-image :where(img){height:auto;max-width:100%;vertical-align:bottom}.wp-block-co-authors-plus-coauthors.is-layout-flow .wp-block-co-authors-plus-image :where(img){vertical-align:middle}.wp-block-co-authors-plus-image:is(.alignfull,.alignwide) :where(img){width:100%}.wp-block-co-authors-plus-image:is(.alignleft,.alignright){display:table}.wp-block-co-authors-plus-image.aligncenter{display:table;margin-inline:auto}
</style>
<style id='classic-theme-styles-inline-css' type='text/css'>
/*! This file is auto-generated */
.wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none}
</style>
<style id='global-styles-inline-css' type='text/css'>
:root{--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--square: 1;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--4-3: 4/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-4: 3/4;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-2: 3/2;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--2-3: 2/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--16-9: 16/9;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--9-16: 9/16;--wp--preset--color--black: #000000;--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray: #abb8c3;--wp--preset--color--white: #ffffff;--wp--preset--color--pale-pink: #f78da7;--wp--preset--color--vivid-red: #cf2e2e;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange: #ff6900;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber: #fcb900;--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan: #7bdcb5;--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan: #00d084;--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue: #8ed1fc;--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue: #0693e3;--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple: #9b51e0;--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(6,147,227,1) 0%,rgb(155,81,224) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(122,220,180) 0%,rgb(0,208,130) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(252,185,0,1) 0%,rgba(255,105,0,1) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(255,105,0,1) 0%,rgb(207,46,46) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(238,238,238) 0%,rgb(169,184,195) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(74,234,220) 0%,rgb(151,120,209) 20%,rgb(207,42,186) 40%,rgb(238,44,130) 60%,rgb(251,105,98) 80%,rgb(254,248,76) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,206,236) 0%,rgb(152,150,240) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(254,205,165) 0%,rgb(254,45,45) 50%,rgb(107,0,62) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,203,112) 0%,rgb(199,81,192) 50%,rgb(65,88,208) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,245,203) 0%,rgb(182,227,212) 50%,rgb(51,167,181) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(202,248,128) 0%,rgb(113,206,126) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--midnight: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(2,3,129) 0%,rgb(40,116,252) 100%);--wp--preset--font-size--small: 13px;--wp--preset--font-size--medium: 20px;--wp--preset--font-size--large: 36px;--wp--preset--font-size--x-large: 42px;--wp--preset--spacing--20: 0.44rem;--wp--preset--spacing--30: 0.67rem;--wp--preset--spacing--40: 1rem;--wp--preset--spacing--50: 1.5rem;--wp--preset--spacing--60: 2.25rem;--wp--preset--spacing--70: 3.38rem;--wp--preset--spacing--80: 5.06rem;--wp--preset--shadow--natural: 6px 6px 9px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);--wp--preset--shadow--deep: 12px 12px 50px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4);--wp--preset--shadow--sharp: 6px 6px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);--wp--preset--shadow--outlined: 6px 6px 0px -3px rgba(255, 255, 255, 1), 6px 6px rgba(0, 0, 0, 1);--wp--preset--shadow--crisp: 6px 6px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 1);}:where(.is-layout-flex){gap: 0.5em;}:where(.is-layout-grid){gap: 0.5em;}body .is-layout-flex{display: flex;}.is-layout-flex{flex-wrap: wrap;align-items: center;}.is-layout-flex > :is(*, div){margin: 0;}body .is-layout-grid{display: grid;}.is-layout-grid > :is(*, div){margin: 0;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap: 2em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-grid){gap: 2em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-flex){gap: 1.25em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-grid){gap: 1.25em;}.has-black-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red) !important;}.has-very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-cool-to-warm-spectrum-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum) !important;}.has-blush-light-purple-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple) !important;}.has-blush-bordeaux-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux) !important;}.has-luminous-dusk-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk) !important;}.has-pale-ocean-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean) !important;}.has-electric-grass-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass) !important;}.has-midnight-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--midnight) !important;}.has-small-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--small) !important;}.has-medium-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--medium) !important;}.has-large-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--large) !important;}.has-x-large-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--x-large) !important;}
:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-flex){gap: 1.25em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-grid){gap: 1.25em;}
:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap: 2em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-grid){gap: 2em;}
:root :where(.wp-block-pullquote){font-size: 1.5em;line-height: 1.6;}
</style>
<link rel='stylesheet' id='ppress-frontend-css' href='https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/plugins/wp-user-avatar/assets/css/frontend.min.css?ver=4.15.22' type='text/css' media='all' />
<link rel='stylesheet' id='ppress-flatpickr-css' href='https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/plugins/wp-user-avatar/assets/flatpickr/flatpickr.min.css?ver=4.15.22' type='text/css' media='all' />
<link rel='stylesheet' id='ppress-select2-css' href='https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/plugins/wp-user-avatar/assets/select2/select2.min.css?ver=6.7.1' type='text/css' media='all' />
<link rel='stylesheet' id='daexthefu-google-font-css' href='https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Inter%3Awght%40400%3B500%3B600&#038;ver=1.13#038;display=swap' type='text/css' media='all' />
<link rel='stylesheet' id='daexthefu-general-css' href='https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/plugins/daext-helpful/public/assets/css/general.css?ver=1.13' type='text/css' media='all' />
<link rel='stylesheet' id='daexthefu-custom-css' href='https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/uploads/daexthefu_uploads/custom-1.css?ver=1.13' type='text/css' media='all' />
<style id='akismet-widget-style-inline-css' type='text/css'>
.a-stats {
--akismet-color-mid-green: #357b49;
--akismet-color-white: #fff;
--akismet-color-light-grey: #f6f7f7;
max-width: 350px;
width: auto;
}
.a-stats * {
all: unset;
box-sizing: border-box;
}
.a-stats strong {
font-weight: 600;
}
.a-stats a.a-stats__link,
.a-stats a.a-stats__link:visited,
.a-stats a.a-stats__link:active {
background: var(--akismet-color-mid-green);
border: none;
box-shadow: none;
border-radius: 8px;
color: var(--akismet-color-white);
cursor: pointer;
display: block;
font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', 'Roboto', 'Oxygen-Sans', 'Ubuntu', 'Cantarell', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;
font-weight: 500;
padding: 12px;
text-align: center;
text-decoration: none;
transition: all 0.2s ease;
}
/* Extra specificity to deal with TwentyTwentyOne focus style */
.widget .a-stats a.a-stats__link:focus {
background: var(--akismet-color-mid-green);
color: var(--akismet-color-white);
text-decoration: none;
}
.a-stats a.a-stats__link:hover {
filter: brightness(110%);
box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.06), 0 0 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.16);
}
.a-stats .count {
color: var(--akismet-color-white);
display: block;
font-size: 1.5em;
line-height: 1.4;
padding: 0 13px;
white-space: nowrap;
}
</style>
<link rel='stylesheet' id='hsc-css-css' href='https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/plugins/hide-show-comment/assets/css/hsc.css?ver=1.1.5' type='text/css' media='all' />
<link rel='stylesheet' id='hsc-button-skinhide-show-css' href='https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/plugins/hide-show-comment/assets/buttons/hsc-buttonskin-white.css?ver=1.1.5' type='text/css' media='all' />
<link rel='stylesheet' id='hsc-button-skinload-more-css' href='https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/plugins/hide-show-comment/assets/buttons/hsc-buttonskin-none.css?ver=1.1.5' type='text/css' media='all' />
<link rel='stylesheet' id='site-css-css' href='https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/themes/firefly/assets/styles/theme-styles.css?ver=1737043088' type='text/css' media='all' />
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-includes/js/jquery/jquery.min.js?ver=3.7.1" id="jquery-core-js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-includes/js/jquery/jquery-migrate.min.js?ver=3.4.1" id="jquery-migrate-js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/plugins/wp-user-avatar/assets/flatpickr/flatpickr.min.js?ver=4.15.22" id="ppress-flatpickr-js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/plugins/wp-user-avatar/assets/select2/select2.min.js?ver=4.15.22" id="ppress-select2-js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/plugins/hide-show-comment/assets/js/hsc.js?ver=1.1.5" id="hsc-js-js"></script>
<link rel="https://api.w.org/" href="https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-json/" /><link rel="alternate" title="JSON" type="application/json" href="https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/613" /><link rel="alternate" title="oEmbed (JSON)" type="application/json+oembed" href="https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.ssa.gov%2Fwhy-i-serve%2F" />
<link rel="alternate" title="oEmbed (XML)" type="text/xml+oembed" href="https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.ssa.gov%2Fwhy-i-serve%2F&#038;format=xml" />
<style type="text/css">
ul.scfw_16px li, ul.scfw_24px li, ul.scfw_32px li, ul.scfw_16px li a, ul.scfw_24px li a, ul.scfw_32px li a {
display:inline !important;
float:none !important;
border:0 !important;
background:transparent none !important;
margin:0 !important;
padding:0 !important;
}
ul.scfw_16px li {
margin:0 2px 0 0 !important;
}
ul.scfw_24px li {
margin:0 3px 0 0 !important;
}
ul.scfw_32px li {
margin:0 5px 0 0 !important;
}
ul.scfw_text_img li:before, ul.scfw_16px li:before, ul.scfw_24px li:before, ul.scfw_32px li:before {
content:none !important;
}
.scfw img {
float:none !important;
}
</style>
<style type="text/css" id="wp-custom-css">
.attachment-singleFeatured {
margin-bottom: 1.5rem;
}
.archive-thumb {margin-bottom: 3rem !important;
}
.no-comments {
margin-top: 1.25rem;
}
.category-list {
color: #b9e6fa;
}
.comment-author time {
color: #212121;
}
.red-text{
color: #ed0202;
}
input, select, textarea{
color: #212121;
}
input:focus, textarea:focus {
color: #212121;
}
.georgia {
font-family: 'Georgia' !important
}
/** POPUP JS mySocSec button**/
#scopedByScopedPolyfill_1 #prefix-button2 {
font-family: georgia;
}
.generic-content h2 {
font-size: 1.6rem;
font-weight: bold;
margin: 0 0 .75rem;
}
.generic-content h3 {
font-size: 1.25rem;
font-style: italic;
margin: 0 0 .25rem;
}
.bsf-rt-reading-time {
color: #3C763D;
display: block;
margin-bottom: 20px;
font-size: .8rem;
}
.generic-content .bsf-rt-reading-time {
display: none;
}
/* @media screen and (max-width: 422px) {
img.alignleft.mobile-wrap {
margin-left: 1.8em;
margin-right: 1.8em;
}
} */
@media screen and (max-width: 422px) {
img.alignleft {
min-width: 100%;
}
}
@media screen and (max-width: 422px) {
img.alignright {
min-width: 100%;
}
}
.daexthefu-container {
background-color: #a7d2f2;
}
.daexthefu-container .daexthefu-buttons {
margin-top: auto;
margin-bottom: auto;
}
@media screen and (max-width: 422px) {
.daexthefu-container .daexthefu-title {
font-size: 16px !important;
line-height: inherit !important;
}
.daexthefu-container .daexthefu-buttons {
margin-top: auto;
margin-bottom: auto;
}
}
html:lang(es) {
@media screen and (min-width: 65em) {
.site-header .menu-item a {
font-size: .7rem;
}
}
}
</style>
<link rel="pingback" href="https://blog.ssa.gov/xmlrpc.php">
</head>
<body class="post-template-default single single-post postid-613 single-format-standard">
<!-- Google Tag Manager -->
<script>
(function (w, d, s, l, i) {
w[l] = w[l] || [];
w[l].push({
'gtm.start':
new Date().getTime(), event: 'gtm.js'
});
var f = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],
j = d.createElement(s), dl = l != 'dataLayer' ? '&l=' + l : '';
j.async = true;
j.src =
'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id=' + i + dl;
f.parentNode.insertBefore(j, f);
})(window, document, 'script', 'dataLayer', 'GTM-5GQXH7Q');
</script>
<!-- End Google Tag Manager -->
<!-- Google Tag Manager (noscript) -->
<noscript>
<iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-5GQXH7Q"
height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe>
</noscript>
<!-- End Google Tag Manager (noscript) -->
<aside class="accessibility" id="accessibility"><a href="#main-content-area" target="_self" id="skip-navigation">Skip to content</a></aside>
<header class="ae-lang-en ae-launcher bg-logo white site-header" id="banner" role="banner">
<section class="usa-banner">
<div class="usa-banner">
<div class="usa-accordion">
<header class="usa-banner__header">
<div class="usa-banner__inner wrapper">
<div class="grid-col-auto">
<img class="usa-banner__header-flag" src="https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/themes/firefly/assets/images/us_flag_small.png" alt="U.S. flag">
</div>
<div class="grid-col-fill tablet:grid-col-auto">
<p class="usa-banner__header-text">An official website of the United States government</p>
</div>
<button class="usa-accordion__button usa-banner__button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="gov-banner-default">
<span class="usa-banner__button-text">Here's how you know</span>
</button>
</div>
</header>
<div class="usa-banner__content usa-accordion__content" id="gov-banner-default" hidden="">
<div class="wrapper">
<div class="usa-banner__guidance grid-col-6">
<img class="usa-banner__icon usa-media-block__img" src="https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/themes/firefly/assets/images/icon-dot-gov.svg" role="img" alt="" aria-hidden="true">
<div class="usa-media-block__body">
<p>
<strong>Official websites use .gov</strong>
<br>A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. </p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="usa-banner__guidance grid-col-6">
<img class="usa-banner__icon usa-media-block__img" src="https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/themes/firefly/assets/images/icon-https.svg" role="img" alt="" aria-hidden="true">
<div class="usa-media-block__body">
<p>
<strong>Secure .gov websites use HTTPS</strong>
<br>A lock ( <span class="icon-lock">
<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="52" height="64" viewBox="0 0 52 64" class="usa-banner__lock-image" role="img" aria-labelledby="banner-lock-title-default banner-lock-description-default" focusable="false">
<title id="banner-lock-title-default">Lock</title>
<desc id="banner-lock-description-default">A locked padlock</desc>
<path fill="#000000" fill-rule="evenodd" d="M26 0c10.493 0 19 8.507 19 19v9h3a4 4 0 0 1 4 4v28a4 4 0 0 1-4 4H4a4 4 0 0 1-4-4V32a4 4 0 0 1 4-4h3v-9C7 8.507 15.507 0 26 0zm0 8c-5.979 0-10.843 4.77-10.996 10.712L15 19v9h22v-9c0-6.075-4.925-11-11-11z"></path>
</svg>
</span> ) or <strong>https://</strong> means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. </p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</section>
<div class="fx fx-jc-sb px2 py0 wrapper header-container" id="header_area">
<h1 class="fs2 fw4 ma0 l-fs3 site-logo">
<a class="fx fx-ai-c hover-yellow py3 white m-py2" href="https://blog.ssa.gov">
<div class="ml3 svg3 m-svg5 ae-img"
style="background-image: url(https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/themes/firefly/assets/images/logo.svg);background-size: contain;"
role="presentation"
></div>
<span class="pl1 m-pl2" style="line-height: 1;">Social Security <br>Matters</span>
</a>
</h1>
<a class="l-dn fx fx-ai-c hover-yellow px2 white" href="#" id="mobileMenuToggle" title="Menu">
<svg class="svg1" focusable="false" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
<path
d="M3 5h18q.414.0.707.293T22 6t-.293.707T21 7H3q-.414.0-.707-.293T2 6t.293-.707T3 5zm0 12h18q.414.0.707.293T22 18t-.293.707T21 19H3q-.414.0-.707-.293T2 18t.293-.707T3 17zm0-6h18q.414.0.707.293T22 12t-.293.707T21 13H3q-.414.0-.707-.293T2 12t.293-.707T3 11z"
vector-effect="non-scaling-stroke"></path>
</svg>
<span class="m-dib fs1 pl1">Menu</span>
</a>
<nav class="main-navigation-wrapper">
<ul class="main-navigation-list">
<li id="menu-item-256" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-home menu-item-256"><a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/">Home</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-257" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-257"><a href="https://www.ssa.gov/?utm_source=ssmatters&#038;utm_medium=blog-header&#038;utm_campaign=blog-to-ssa-homepage">SSA.gov</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-259" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-259"><a href="https://www.ssa.gov/onlineservices/?utm_source=ssmatters&#038;utm_medium=blog-header&#038;utm_campaign=blog-to-onlineservices">Online Services</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-261" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-261"><a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/comment-policy/">Comment Policy</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-9556-es" class="lang-item lang-item-1343 lang-item-es no-translation lang-item-first menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-9556-es"><a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/es/" hreflang="es-ES" lang="es-ES"><span style="margin-left:0.3em;">Español</span></a></li>
<li class="menu-item search-item">
<a class="hover-yellow white search-button" href="#" id="header_search_trigger" title="Search">
<svg class="svg1" focusable="false" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
<path
d="M14.182.0q-1.994.0-3.814.78t-3.132 2.092-2.092 3.132-.78 3.814q0 1.713.558 3.281t1.59 2.847l-6.196 6.187q-.315.315-.315.776.0.469.311.78t.78.311q.46.0.776-.315l6.187-6.196q1.278 1.031 2.847 1.59t3.281.558q1.994.0 3.814-.78t3.132-2.092 2.092-3.132.78-3.814-.78-3.814-2.092-3.132-3.132-2.092-3.814-.78zm0 2.182q1.551.0 2.966.605t2.438 1.628 1.628 2.438.605 2.966-.605 2.966-1.628 2.438-2.438 1.628-2.966.605-2.966-.605-2.438-1.628-1.628-2.438-.605-2.966.605-2.966 1.628-2.438 2.438-1.628 2.966-.605z"
vector-effect="non-scaling-stroke"></path>
</svg>
Search </a>
<div id="header_search"
class="header-search-form-container"
itemscope
itemtype="http://schema.org/WebSite"
role="dialog"
aria-label="Search">
<form role="search" id="searchform" class="header-search-form" method="get"
action="https://blog.ssa.gov/">
<meta itemprop="target" content="https://blog.ssa.gov/?s={s}"/>
<label for="header_desktop_search_field" class="screen-reader-text">
Search for: </label>
<input itemprop="query-input" type="search" id="header_desktop_search_field"
class="search-field"
value=""
placeholder="Search..."
name="s"/>
<button class="search-submit" type="submit"
value="Search">
<span class="icon search-white"></span>
<span>Search</span>
</button>
<a href="#" id="header_desktop_search_close" class="header-search-close-button">Close Search Bar</a>
</form>
</div>
</li>
<li class="menu-item my-ssa-item">
<a class="btn my-ssa-btn" href="https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/?utm_source=ssmatters&utm_medium=blog-header&utm_campaign=blog-to-myaccount/"><em>my</em> Social Security</a>
</li>
</ul>
</nav>
</div>
</header>
<section class="wrapper">
<a id="main-content-area"></a>
<span class="fs1 fw5 bg-blue-100 hover-teal py1 px2">
<a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/general/" rel="category tag">General</a> </span>
<main class="grid content">
<article id="main-content-area" class="cell w-100 l-w-70 post-container">
<h1 class="m-fs4 fw7 mt2 mb2 headline">Why I Serve</h1>
<p class="fs1 mb2 gray-lighter bc-gray metabox">August 13, 2015 •
By <a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/author/23211f5158575759f7870918357a1b71c3a60aa5/" title="Posts by Doug Walker, Deputy Commissioner, Communications" class="author url fn" rel="author">Doug Walker, Deputy Commissioner, Communications</a> </p>
<span class="bsf-rt-reading-time fs1">
Reading Time: 1 Minute </span>
<p class="fs1 bb bc-gray pb3"><strong><em>Last Updated:&nbsp;August 19, 2021</em></strong></p>
<div class="mt4 generic-content">
<p><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="alignleft wp-image-614 size-medium" src="https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Why-I-Serve-300x210.jpg" alt="A local office Social Security employee helps a person fill out forms" width="300" height="210" srcset="https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Why-I-Serve-300x210.jpg 300w, https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Why-I-Serve.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />On the eve of Social Securitys 80<sup>th</sup> anniversary, we want to share a personal moment with you.<span id="more-613"></span> We usually talk about the services we offer, and why we believe offering these services is important to you and our nation.</p>
<p>We seldom get the opportunity to speak about our employees those who stand behind the desk, behind the computer screen, or on the other end of the calls to our toll-free telephone service. Social Security employs more than 62,000 men and women nationwide.</p>
<p>Our employees duties range from taking a retirement application, to designing the signs posted on the walls of our field offices, to creating and editing thousands of publications, to designing and maintaining our vast computer network. Our team does this with a common goal of serving America by providing services to our nations most vulnerable citizens in times of personal hardship, transition, and uncertainty.</p>
<p>In the past few months, we asked our employees to share why they serve. Their answers, often expressed in heartfelt narratives, almost universally contained one sentiment.</p>
<p><em>I serve because I enjoy working with our public and because the services we provide matter. </em></p>
<p>Our greatest satisfaction comes from knowing that the people who need our benefits most retirees, people with the disabilities, children, and families receive the help they need. Social Security continues to give Americans hope and support with expanded programs that offer more than even President Franklin D. Roosevelt envisioned 80 years ago, when he signed the Social Security Act into law.</p>
<p>Tomorrow, we celebrate the anniversary of our program. Today, we celebrate the thousands who bring that program to life every day.</p>
<div id="daexthefu-container"
class="daexthefu-container daexthefu-layout-side-by-side daexthefu-alignment-left"
data-post-id="613">
<div class="daexthefu-feedback">
<div class="daexthefu-text">
<h3 class="daexthefu-title">Did you find this Information helpful?</h3>
</div>
<div class="daexthefu-buttons-container">
<div class="daexthefu-buttons">
<div class="daexthefu-yes daexthefu-button daexthefu-button-type-text" data-value="1">
<div class="daexthefu-button-text">Yes</div>
</div>
<div class="daexthefu-no daexthefu-button daexthefu-button-type-text" data-value="0">
<div class="daexthefu-button-text">No</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="daexthefu-comment">
<div class="daexthefu-comment-top-container">
<label id="daexthefu-comment-label" class="daexthefu-comment-label"></label>
<div class="daexthefu-comment-character-counter-container">
<div id="daexthefu-comment-character-counter-number"
class="daexthefu-comment-character-counter-number"></div>
<div class="daexthefu-comment-character-counter-text"></div>
</div>
</div>
<textarea id="daexthefu-comment-textarea" class="daexthefu-comment-textarea"
placeholder=""
maxlength="
400 "></textarea>
<div class="daexthefu-comment-buttons-container">
<button class="daexthefu-comment-submit daexthefu-button"></button>
<button class="daexthefu-comment-cancel daexthefu-button"></button>
</div>
</div>
<div class="daexthefu-successful-submission-text">Thanks for your feedback!</div>
</div>
<hr class="mb2 after-content"><p class="fs1 gray-lighter"><strong>Tags:</strong> <a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/tag/social-security/" aria-label='social security Tag' rel="tag">social security</a>, <a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/tag/ssa/" aria-label='SSA Tag' rel="tag">SSA</a></p> <a class="btn px3" href="#comments-anchor">See Comments</a>
</div>
<h2 class="fs2 fw6 mb0 mt4">About the Author</h2>
<div class="comment-author fx fx-ai-c mt0">
<img alt='Doug Walker, Deputy Commissioner, Communications' src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a6ee4d82a25f0ead998c61d2cee7c059?s=60&#038;d=mm&#038;r=g' srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a6ee4d82a25f0ead998c61d2cee7c059?s=120&#038;d=mm&#038;r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-60 photo mt0 br-100' height='60' width='60' decoding='async'/> <div class="ml3 mt3">
<h3 class="fs2 fw6 mb0"><a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/author/23211f5158575759f7870918357a1b71c3a60aa5/" title="Posts by Doug Walker, Deputy Commissioner, Communications" class="author url fn" rel="author">Doug Walker, Deputy Commissioner, Communications</a></h3>
<p class="fs1 gray-lighter mt0">Deputy Commissioner, Office of Communications</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="mt4 related-posts-area">
<h2 class="fs4 fw3 gray">Related Articles</h2>
<div class="grid">
<div class="cell w-100 m-w-50 mb3 related-post">
<div class="fl mr3 bs2 related-post-image"
style="background-image: url(https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Jointhe18Million-125x125.jpg);"></div>
<div class="mt2">
<span class=" category-list fs1 fw5 bg-logo py1 px2 category-label">
<a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/disability/" rel="category tag">Disability</a> <a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/general/" rel="category tag">General</a> <a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/retirement/" rel="category tag">Retirement</a> <a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/survivors/" rel="category tag">Survivors</a> <a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/taxes/" rel="category tag">Taxes</a> </span>
<h2 class="fs2 fw6 headline mt2 mb2">
<a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/join-the-19-million-people-who-have-my-social-security-accounts/">
Join the 19 Million People Who Have my Social Security Accounts </a>
</h2>
</div>
</div>
<div class="cell w-100 m-w-50 mb3 related-post">
<div class="fl mr3 bs2 related-post-image"
style="background-image: url(https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/snap-125x125.png);"></div>
<div class="mt2">
<span class=" category-list fs1 fw5 bg-logo py1 px2 category-label">
<a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/covid-19/" rel="category tag">COVID-19</a> <a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/general/" rel="category tag">General</a> <a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/people-facing-barriers/" rel="category tag">People Facing Barriers</a> <a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/ssi/" rel="category tag">SSI</a> </span>
<h2 class="fs2 fw6 headline mt2 mb2">
<a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/save-time-applying-for-snap-and-ssi/">
Save Time Applying for SNAP and SSI </a>
</h2>
</div>
</div>
<div class="cell w-100 m-w-50 mb3 related-post">
<div class="fl mr3 bs2 related-post-image"
style="background-image: url(https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/iSSNRC-Blog-125x125.jpg);"></div>
<div class="mt2">
<span class=" category-list fs1 fw5 bg-logo py1 px2 category-label">
<a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/general/" rel="category tag">General</a> </span>
<h2 class="fs2 fw6 headline mt2 mb2">
<a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/six-new-states-for-our-online-replacement-card-service/">
Six New States for Our Online Replacement Card Service </a>
</h2>
</div>
</div>
<div class="cell w-100 m-w-50 mb3 related-post">
<div class="fl mr3 bs2 related-post-image"
style="background-image: url(https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/COSS-New-Image-Blog-125x125.jpg);"></div>
<div class="mt2">
<span class=" category-list fs1 fw5 bg-logo py1 px2 category-label">
<a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/general/" rel="category tag">General</a> </span>
<h2 class="fs2 fw6 headline mt2 mb2">
<a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/how-social-security-helped-desegregate-americas-hospitals/">
How Social Security Helped Desegregate Americas Hospitals </a>
</h2>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<a name="comments-anchor"></a>
<div id="comments" class="mt4 comments-area">
<h2 class="fs4 fw3 gray">Comments</h2>
<ol class="comment-list">
<li class="my4 comment-box pa3" id="comment-13830">
<div class="comment-author fx fx-ai-c mt0">
<div class="mt3">
<h3 class="fs2 fw6 mb0">Frederic J.</h3>
<p class="fs1 gray-lighter mt0">
<time datetime="September 3, 2015 11:23AM">
September 3, 2015 11:23AM </time>
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="fs1 comment-body">
<p>I serve because others should never be forced to. Because it&#8217;s a choice nobody else should make again on our behalf. There are very few jobs out there in which employees agree to giving their life as a potential cost of doing business.</p>
</div>
<!-- </li> is added by WordPress automatically -->
</li><!-- #comment-## -->
<li class="my4 comment-box pa3" id="comment-13575">
<div class="comment-author fx fx-ai-c mt0">
<div class="mt3">
<h3 class="fs2 fw6 mb0">Roberto G.</h3>
<p class="fs1 gray-lighter mt0">
<time datetime="September 1, 2015 6:17AM">
September 1, 2015 6:17AM </time>
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="fs1 comment-body">
<p>But that&#8217;s not why I choose to serve today. I serve because every time I see a military member reunited with his family, my eyes well up with tears.</p>
</div>
<!-- </li> is added by WordPress automatically -->
</li><!-- #comment-## -->
<li class="my4 comment-box pa3" id="comment-12626">
<div class="comment-author fx fx-ai-c mt0">
<div class="mt3">
<h3 class="fs2 fw6 mb0">Heide</h3>
<p class="fs1 gray-lighter mt0">
<time datetime="August 25, 2015 3:26PM">
August 25, 2015 3:26PM </time>
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="fs1 comment-body">
<p>just had the most lovely lady help me. her name is Patricia and i didn&#8217;t get a chance to thank her. she spent so much time and answered all my questions and banished all my worries. i have no idea what state she is in, but wherever she is, i send gratitude that Patricia answered my phone call.<br />
i am always amazed when the phone is answered, knowing you are helping 50 million of us. thank you thank you thank you.</p>
</div>
<!-- </li> is added by WordPress automatically -->
<ul class="children">
<li class="comment-box bg-gray-100 ba bc-gray pa3 mt4 mb3" id="comment-13062">
<div class="comment-author fx fx-ai-c mt0">
<img alt="" class="mt0 br-100" width="60px" height="60px"
src="https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/themes/firefly/assets/images/logo.jpg"/>
<div class="mt3 ml3">
<h3 class="fs2 fw6 mb0">R.F.</h3>
<p class="fs1 gray-lighter mt0">
<time datetime="August 27, 2015 3:51PM">
August 27, 2015 3:51PM </time>
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="fs1 comment-body">
<p>You are welcome, Heide, and thank you for letting us know that we were able to help you. Patricia and the rest of us appreciate your kind words letting us know that our efforts are paying off.</p>
</div>
<!-- </li> is added by WordPress automatically -->
</li><!-- #comment-## -->
</ul><!-- .children -->
</li><!-- #comment-## -->
<li class="my4 comment-box pa3" id="comment-11526">
<div class="comment-author fx fx-ai-c mt0">
<div class="mt3">
<h3 class="fs2 fw6 mb0">eliedith</h3>
<p class="fs1 gray-lighter mt0">
<time datetime="August 19, 2015 1:51AM">
August 19, 2015 1:51AM </time>
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="fs1 comment-body">
<p>Dear Mr Ray Fernandez</p>
<p>since my husband has insurance at work, is 65 and will retire on his bday 9 april 2016, when should he apply for medicare? he will not get ss till next year. i am an adjunct instructor without health benefits</p>
<p>Reply ↓</p>
</div>
<!-- </li> is added by WordPress automatically -->
<ul class="children">
<li class="comment-box bg-gray-100 ba bc-gray pa3 mt4 mb3" id="comment-11676">
<div class="comment-author fx fx-ai-c mt0">
<img alt="" class="mt0 br-100" width="60px" height="60px"
src="https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/themes/firefly/assets/images/logo.jpg"/>
<div class="mt3 ml3">
<h3 class="fs2 fw6 mb0">R.F.</h3>
<p class="fs1 gray-lighter mt0">
<time datetime="August 20, 2015 12:10PM">
August 20, 2015 12:10PM </time>
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="fs1 comment-body">
<p>Hi eliedith, I believe that we provided that information a few days ago, but if you missed it, here it is again: We advise people to file for Medicare benefits at age 65, even if they plan to continue working. If your husband is still working and is covered under a group health plan based on that employment, he may want to file for Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) only. However, he should speak to his personnel office, health benefits advisor, or health plan to see what&#8217;s best for him. Your husband can also apply for Medicare <a href="http://www.ssa.gov/medicare/apply.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">online</a>.<br />
You may be eligible for <a href="http://www.ssa.gov/medicare/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Medicare</a> benefits on your own record or your husbands record at age 65.<br />
For his retirement benefits, he can apply three months in advance of when he wants his benefits to start, and he can <a href="http://www.socialsecurity.gov/retire/apply.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">complete the online application</a> in as little as 15 minutes.<br />
If you or your husband have specific questions, call us at 1-800-772-1213 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Wait times are generally shorter if you call later in the week.</p>
</div>
<!-- </li> is added by WordPress automatically -->
<ul class="children">
<li class="my4 comment-box pa3" id="comment-11740">
<div class="comment-author fx fx-ai-c mt0">
<div class="mt3">
<h3 class="fs2 fw6 mb0">eliedith</h3>
<p class="fs1 gray-lighter mt0">
<time datetime="August 21, 2015 12:14AM">
August 21, 2015 12:14AM </time>
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="fs1 comment-body">
<p>thank you mr fernandez, sorry if I missed the first post, thank you i will look into that</p>
</div>
<!-- </li> is added by WordPress automatically -->
<ul class="children">
<li class="comment-box bg-gray-100 ba bc-gray pa3 mt4 mb3" id="comment-12379">
<div class="comment-author fx fx-ai-c mt0">
<img alt="" class="mt0 br-100" width="60px" height="60px"
src="https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/themes/firefly/assets/images/logo.jpg"/>
<div class="mt3 ml3">
<h3 class="fs2 fw6 mb0">R.F.</h3>
<p class="fs1 gray-lighter mt0">
<time datetime="August 24, 2015 3:40PM">
August 24, 2015 3:40PM </time>
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="fs1 comment-body">
<p>We would like to thank all of you for your good wishes during our 80th anniversary week. We appreciate your comments and feedback, and hope that you continue to use this blog to communicate with us. We work diligently to offer the best service possible to the public and continually strive to improve its quality.<br />
On Social Security Matters, our intent is to provide general information and educate our readers about the variety of programs that Social Security offers. We do not have access to personal records, but we will try to answer your general questions about Social Security and direct you to the appropriate resources.<br />
Thank you again for your support. We look forward to “building the future” with you.</p>
</div>
<!-- </li> is added by WordPress automatically -->
</li><!-- #comment-## -->
</ul><!-- .children -->
</li><!-- #comment-## -->
</ul><!-- .children -->
</li><!-- #comment-## -->
</ul><!-- .children -->
</li><!-- #comment-## -->
<li class="my4 comment-box pa3" id="comment-11186">
<div class="comment-author fx fx-ai-c mt0">
<div class="mt3">
<h3 class="fs2 fw6 mb0">Bonnie R.</h3>
<p class="fs1 gray-lighter mt0">
<time datetime="August 16, 2015 12:09AM">
August 16, 2015 12:09AM </time>
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="fs1 comment-body">
<p>For all you do and for the ways a lot of employees go above and beyond the call of duty&#8230;.I Thank You!</p>
</div>
<!-- </li> is added by WordPress automatically -->
<ul class="children">
<li class="comment-box bg-gray-100 ba bc-gray pa3 mt4 mb3" id="comment-11411">
<div class="comment-author fx fx-ai-c mt0">
<img alt="" class="mt0 br-100" width="60px" height="60px"
src="https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/themes/firefly/assets/images/logo.jpg"/>
<div class="mt3 ml3">
<h3 class="fs2 fw6 mb0">R.F.</h3>
<p class="fs1 gray-lighter mt0">
<time datetime="August 18, 2015 7:23AM">
August 18, 2015 7:23AM </time>
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="fs1 comment-body">
<p>Thanks for your feedback! Your thoughts are important to us and were pleased when feedback is positive. We try hard to provide the best possible service to our customers and your satisfaction is our reward.</p>
</div>
<!-- </li> is added by WordPress automatically -->
</li><!-- #comment-## -->
<li class="comment-box bg-gray-100 ba bc-gray pa3 mt4 mb3" id="comment-12380">
<div class="comment-author fx fx-ai-c mt0">
<img alt="" class="mt0 br-100" width="60px" height="60px"
src="https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/themes/firefly/assets/images/logo.jpg"/>
<div class="mt3 ml3">
<h3 class="fs2 fw6 mb0">R.F.</h3>
<p class="fs1 gray-lighter mt0">
<time datetime="August 24, 2015 3:40PM">
August 24, 2015 3:40PM </time>
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="fs1 comment-body">
<p>We would like to thank all of you for your good wishes during our 80th anniversary week. We appreciate your comments and feedback, and hope that you continue to use this blog to communicate with us. We work diligently to offer the best service possible to the public and continually strive to improve its quality.<br />
On Social Security Matters, our intent is to provide general information and educate our readers about the variety of programs that Social Security offers. We do not have access to personal records, but we will try to answer your general questions about Social Security and direct you to the appropriate resources.<br />
Thank you again for your support. We look forward to “building the future” with you.</p>
</div>
<!-- </li> is added by WordPress automatically -->
</li><!-- #comment-## -->
</ul><!-- .children -->
</li><!-- #comment-## -->
<li class="my4 comment-box pa3" id="comment-11011">
<div class="comment-author fx fx-ai-c mt0">
<div class="mt3">
<h3 class="fs2 fw6 mb0">Mrs. B.</h3>
<p class="fs1 gray-lighter mt0">
<time datetime="August 14, 2015 8:46PM">
August 14, 2015 8:46PM </time>
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="fs1 comment-body">
<p>Thanks all of you SS WORKERS. YOU ARE VERY much appreciated in everything you do to help us.<br />
I am a retired educator in the south(MS) who is thankful/ grateful for your service, without you I don&#8217;t know what I would do. I&#8217;m a widow now for more than<br />
five yrs. I had to retire because of my severe health problems. &#8220;To God be the Glory &#8220;for sending you all to help us. THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR SERVICE!!!!</p>
</div>
<!-- </li> is added by WordPress automatically -->
<ul class="children">
<li class="comment-box bg-gray-100 ba bc-gray pa3 mt4 mb3" id="comment-11410">
<div class="comment-author fx fx-ai-c mt0">
<img alt="" class="mt0 br-100" width="60px" height="60px"
src="https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/themes/firefly/assets/images/logo.jpg"/>
<div class="mt3 ml3">
<h3 class="fs2 fw6 mb0">R.F.</h3>
<p class="fs1 gray-lighter mt0">
<time datetime="August 18, 2015 7:22AM">
August 18, 2015 7:22AM </time>
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="fs1 comment-body">
<p>Thank you! Were pleased we can help. We will continue our efforts to meet your requirements and expectations in the years to come.</p>
</div>
<!-- </li> is added by WordPress automatically -->
</li><!-- #comment-## -->
</ul><!-- .children -->
</li><!-- #comment-## -->
<li class="my4 comment-box pa3" id="comment-10994">
<div class="comment-author fx fx-ai-c mt0">
<div class="mt3">
<h3 class="fs2 fw6 mb0">Cornelia H.</h3>
<p class="fs1 gray-lighter mt0">
<time datetime="August 14, 2015 6:35PM">
August 14, 2015 6:35PM </time>
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="fs1 comment-body">
<p>We have had nothing but excellent experiences with the SS @ North Platter NE. We congratulate them for stellar performance!</p>
</div>
<!-- </li> is added by WordPress automatically -->
<ul class="children">
<li class="comment-box bg-gray-100 ba bc-gray pa3 mt4 mb3" id="comment-11435">
<div class="comment-author fx fx-ai-c mt0">
<img alt="" class="mt0 br-100" width="60px" height="60px"
src="https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/themes/firefly/assets/images/logo.jpg"/>
<div class="mt3 ml3">
<h3 class="fs2 fw6 mb0">R.F.</h3>
<p class="fs1 gray-lighter mt0">
<time datetime="August 18, 2015 11:08AM">
August 18, 2015 11:08AM </time>
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="fs1 comment-body">
<p>We thank you for your kind words! Our employees take great pride in offering the best service possible. Its wonderful to know our efforts are paying off. Your message helps us to know we have made a difference to those we serve every day.</p>
</div>
<!-- </li> is added by WordPress automatically -->
</li><!-- #comment-## -->
</ul><!-- .children -->
</li><!-- #comment-## -->
<li class="my4 comment-box pa3" id="comment-10969">
<div class="comment-author fx fx-ai-c mt0">
<div class="mt3">
<h3 class="fs2 fw6 mb0">eliedith</h3>
<p class="fs1 gray-lighter mt0">
<time datetime="August 14, 2015 4:07PM">
August 14, 2015 4:07PM </time>
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="fs1 comment-body">
<p>since my husband has insurance at work, is 65 and will retire on his bday 9 april 2016, when should he apply for medicare? he will not get ss till next year. i am an adjunct instrutor without heath benefits</p>
</div>
<!-- </li> is added by WordPress automatically -->
</li><!-- #comment-## -->
<li class="my4 comment-box pa3" id="comment-10967">
<div class="comment-author fx fx-ai-c mt0">
<div class="mt3">
<h3 class="fs2 fw6 mb0">eliedith</h3>
<p class="fs1 gray-lighter mt0">
<time datetime="August 14, 2015 4:06PM">
August 14, 2015 4:06PM </time>
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="fs1 comment-body">
<p>since my husban has insurance at work, is 65 and will retire on his bday 9 apeil 2016, when should he apply for medicare? he will not get ss till next year. i am an adjunct instrutor without heath benefits</p>
</div>
<!-- </li> is added by WordPress automatically -->
</li><!-- #comment-## -->
<li class="my4 comment-box pa3" id="comment-10928">
<div class="comment-author fx fx-ai-c mt0">
<div class="mt3">
<h3 class="fs2 fw6 mb0">Tony S.</h3>
<p class="fs1 gray-lighter mt0">
<time datetime="August 14, 2015 2:14PM">
August 14, 2015 2:14PM </time>
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="fs1 comment-body">
<p>RE: Health and Welfare. 9th Ed. Hospitals &amp; Asylums HA-26-7-15 <a href="http://www.title24uscode.org/haw.htm" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.title24uscode.org/haw.htm</a></p>
<p>It has recently to my attention that the Family and Medical Leave Act of February 5, 1993 (PL-303-3)would fulfill its obligations under the Maternity Protection (Convention 183) of 2000 if women who give birth and take up to three months off, before returning to their old job whose employer may not lay them off, were automatically entitled to unemployment compensation (UC) for up to three months around the time they give birth.</p>
<p>The United States is not party to the International Labor Organization (ILO) Maternity Protection (Convention 183) of 2000, the Holidays with Pay Convention (Convention 132) of 1970 or the Workers with Family Responsibilities (Convention 156) of 1981. That means any party worth its salt in the United States must make an extra free and individualized educational effort to try and uphold these conventions if we want to be well adjusted. </p>
<p>Unemployment compensation (UC) seems to be the best way to fulfil our national obligations to the International Labour Organisation. A UC tax could be imposed on the rich or the cost of insuring the more than 4 million annual American births to employed and poor unemployed women alike could be born by my OASDI WILL in 2017 explained in the as of yet un-amended Act above. </p>
<p>Because up to three months is considered an intolerably lengthy spell of Holiday with Pay, even taking into consideration Workers with Family Responsibilities for sick children, it might be best to insure new mothers, both employed and poor, at an equal rate of $1,000 a month for three months.. Two seat racing strollers cost more $500 used to keep up with those single aunts and uncles who are as easy to beat arm wrestling. </p>
<p>As for the xenophobic immigration document and benefit thieves laid off under the taking benefits from people does not give rise to immunity under Sec. 204(c) of the Social Security Act principle, specifically for violation of people&#8217;s social security benefits under the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and equal protection Protocol at the behest of Obama&#8217;s &#8220;birther movement&#8221; enhanced migration documents thieves that are entrenched in U.S. Foreign Service, whose propaganda exam is not academically qualified by a degree in International Relations. The &#8220;undocumented people&#8221; are real refugees, who have often lived in the Untied States their entire life and have made bigger contributions than xenophobic laid-off SSA bureaucrats, whereas. Having an ID is a right not a freedom. It&#8217;s too bad every North American and European with an ID is too warped by fear and bureaucratically crazy to convince the free people to suffer a state ID and even more dangerous passport GPS that hacked the US Code via GPO who manufactures passports and has lots of funny tape . You&#8217;re a peon acting against the best interest of the generation x and y robbing Baby Boomers. I am Stateless, disabled and able to do the work of State, because I am currently free of oppression and don&#8217;t intentionally go around offending other people&#8217;s rights</p>
<p>SSA bureaucrats would similarly benefits from admiring a degree in social work by requiring that administrative law judges (ALJs) and senior bureaucrats have a degree in social work and are able to hold the current National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics in contempt in regards to killing (via Eli Lilly brand injunction against wrongful death from counterfeit insulin information) &#8211; the hacking of their fundamental no billing and no testifying principles.</p>
</div>
<!-- </li> is added by WordPress automatically -->
</li><!-- #comment-## -->
</ol>
<nav class="navigation comments-pagination" aria-label="Comments pagination">
<h2 class="screen-reader-text">Comments pagination</h2>
<div class="nav-links"><a class="prev page-numbers" href="https://blog.ssa.gov/why-i-serve/comment-page-5/#comments">&laquo; Previous</a>
<a class="page-numbers" href="https://blog.ssa.gov/why-i-serve/comment-page-1/#comments">1</a>
<span class="page-numbers dots">&hellip;</span>
<a class="page-numbers" href="https://blog.ssa.gov/why-i-serve/comment-page-4/#comments">4</a>
<a class="page-numbers" href="https://blog.ssa.gov/why-i-serve/comment-page-5/#comments">5</a>
<span aria-current="page" class="page-numbers current">6</span>
<a class="page-numbers" href="https://blog.ssa.gov/why-i-serve/comment-page-7/#comments">7</a>
<a class="next page-numbers" href="https://blog.ssa.gov/why-i-serve/comment-page-7/#comments">Next &raquo;</a></div>
</nav> <p class="no-comments">Comments are closed.</p>
</div>
<script type="text/javascript">
/**
* is_email function from WordPress
* written in Javascript
*
* by Louy Alakkad <me@l0uy.com>
*
* Verifies that an email is valid.
*
* Does not grok i18n domains. Not RFC compliant.
*
* @param string $email Email address to verify.
* @return string|bool Either false or the valid email address.
*/
function is_email( $email ) {
// Test for the minimum length the email can be
if ( $email.length < 3 ) {
return false;
}
// Test for a single @ character after the first position
if ( $email.indexOf('@') === -1 || $email.indexOf('@') !== $email.lastIndexOf('@') ) {
return false;
}
// Split out the local and domain parts
var parts = $email.split('@',2);
var $local = parts[0], $domain = parts[1];
// LOCAL PART
// Test for invalid characters
if ( !/^[a-zA-Z0-9!#$%&\'*+\/=?^_`{|}~\.-]+$/.test($local) ) {
return false;
}
// DOMAIN PART
// Test for sequences of periods
if ( /\.{2,}/.test($domain) ) {
return false;
}
// Test for leading and trailing periods and whitespace
if ( str_trim( $domain, " \t\n\r\0\x0B." ) !== $domain ) {
return false;
}
// Split the domain into subs
var $subs = $domain.split( '.' );
// Assume the domain will have at least two subs
if ( 2 > $subs.length ) {
return false;
}
// Loop through each sub
for ( i in $subs ) {
var $sub = $subs[i];
// Test for leading and trailing hyphens and whitespace
if ( str_trim( $sub, " \t\n\r\0\x0B-" ) !== $sub ) {
return false;
}
// Test for invalid characters
if ( !/^[a-z0-9-]+$/i.test( $sub ) ) {
return false;
}
}
// Congratulations your email made it!
return $email;
function str_trim(str, regex) {
var chr = regex.replace(/[\-\[\]\/\{\}\(\)\*\+\?\.\\\^\$\|\:\!\,\=]/g, "\\$&");
return str.replace( new RegExp('/^['+chr+']*/'), '' ).replace( new RegExp('/['+chr+']*$/'), '' );
}
}
function input_is_empty(input) {
return !(input.value.trim().length);
}
function select_input_element(event, id) {
var element = document.getElementById(id);
element.scrollIntoView({"behavior": "smooth", "block": "center"});
element.focus();
element.click();
event.preventDefault();
}
function down_check_spacebar(event) {
if( event.keyCode == 32 ){
event.preventDefault();
};
}
function check_spacebar(event, id) {
if( event.keyCode == 32 ){
select_input_element(event, id);
};
}
function validate_comment_form(event) {
var author = document.getElementById("author");
if( author !== null && input_is_empty(author) ) {
var error_text = document.getElementById("comment_form_error");
var element_link = '<a role="button" href="javascript:void();" onkeydown="down_check_spacebar(event);" onkeyup="check_spacebar(event, \'author\');" onclick="select_input_element(event, \'author\');">Select Field</a>';
error_text.innerHTML = "<strong>Error</strong>: Please provide a name. " + element_link;
error_text.style.display = "block";
error_text.scrollIntoView({"behavior": "smooth", "block": "center"});
error_text.focus();
error_text.click();
event.preventDefault();
return false;
}
var email = document.getElementById("email");
if( email !== null && (input_is_empty(email) || !is_email(email.value)) ) {
var error_text = document.getElementById("comment_form_error");
var element_link = '<a role="button" href="javascript:void();" onkeydown="down_check_spacebar(event);" onkeyup="check_spacebar(event, \'email\');" onclick="select_input_element(event, \'email\');">Select Field</a>';
error_text.innerHTML = "<strong>Error</strong>: Please provide a valid email address. " + element_link;
error_text.style.display = "block";
error_text.scrollIntoView({"behavior": "smooth", "block": "center"});
error_text.focus();
error_text.click();
event.preventDefault();
return false;
}
var comment = document.getElementById("comment");
if( comment !== null && input_is_empty(comment) ) {
var error_text = document.getElementById("comment_form_error");
var element_link = '<a role="button" href="javascript:void();" onkeydown="down_check_spacebar(event);" onkeyup="check_spacebar(event, \'comment\');" onclick="select_input_element(event, \'comment\');">Select Field</a>';
error_text.innerHTML = "<strong>Error</strong>: Please provide comment text. " + element_link;
error_text.style.display = "block";
error_text.scrollIntoView({"behavior": "smooth", "block": "center"});
error_text.focus();
error_text.click();
event.preventDefault();
return false;
}
return true;
}
var comment_form = document.getElementById("commentform");
comment_form.onsubmit = validate_comment_form;
</script>
</article>
<aside class="cell w-100 l-w-30 l-pl4">
<div id="custom_html-4" class="widget_text widget widget_custom_html"><div class="textwidget custom-html-widget"><div class="mb4">
<div class="w-100">
<a class="btn w-100 mb2 pl3" href="https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USSSA/subscriber/new?qsp=USSSA_5">
<img class="pr1"
width="30px"
style="margin-bottom: 2px;"
src="/wp-content/themes/firefly/assets/images/subscribe-icon.png" role="presentation"
alt="subscribe-icon"/>
Subscribe
</a>
</div>
<div>
<a class="btn w-100 mb2 pl3 georgia" href=" https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/?utm_source=ssmatters&utm_medium=article-sidebar&utm_campaign=blog-to-mysocialsecurity">
<img class="pr1"
width="30px"
src="/wp-content/themes/firefly/assets/images/my-ssa-icon.png"
role="presentation"
alt="my-social-security-icon"/>
<em><strong>my</strong></em> Social Security
</a>
</div>
<div>
<a class="btn w-100 mb2 pl3" href="https://www.ssa.gov/onlineservices/?utm_source=ssmatters&utm_medium=article-sidebar&utm_campaign=blog-to-onlineservices">
<img class="pr1"
width="30px"
src="/wp-content/themes/firefly/assets/images/calculator-icon.png"
role="presentation"
alt="online-services-icon"/>
Online Services
</a>
</div>
</div></div></div><div id="categories-2" class="widget widget_categories"><h4 class="widgettitle">Posts In:</h4>
<ul>
<li class="cat-item cat-item-348"><a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/aging/">Aging (8)</a>
</li>
<li class="cat-item cat-item-2"><a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/cola/">COLA (15)</a>
</li>
<li class="cat-item cat-item-1084"><a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/covid-19/">COVID-19 (36)</a>
</li>
<li class="cat-item cat-item-30"><a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/disability/">Disability (177)</a>
</li>
<li class="cat-item cat-item-3"><a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/fraud-2/">Frauds &amp; Scams (97)</a>
</li>
<li class="cat-item cat-item-347"><a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/general/">General (320)</a>
</li>
<li class="cat-item cat-item-4"><a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/general-questions/">General Questions (3)</a>
</li>
<li class="cat-item cat-item-356"><a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/guest-bloggers/">Guest Bloggers (57)</a>
</li>
<li class="cat-item cat-item-278"><a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/health-care/">Health Care (4)</a>
</li>
<li class="cat-item cat-item-5"><a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/history/">History (2)</a>
</li>
<li class="cat-item cat-item-80"><a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/medicare/">Medicare (40)</a>
</li>
<li class="cat-item cat-item-6"><a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/office-of-the-inspector-general/">Office of the Inspector General (6)</a>
</li>
<li class="cat-item cat-item-127"><a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/online-services/">Online Services (181)</a>
</li>
<li class="cat-item cat-item-1086"><a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/people-facing-barriers/">People Facing Barriers (18)</a>
</li>
<li class="cat-item cat-item-322"><a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/privacy-identity/">Privacy &amp; Identity (5)</a>
</li>
<li class="cat-item cat-item-7"><a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/retirement/">Retirement (122)</a>
</li>
<li class="cat-item cat-item-1330"><a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/social-security-benefits/">Social Security Benefits (8)</a>
</li>
<li class="cat-item cat-item-1083"><a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/social-security-number-and-card/">Social Security Number and Card (25)</a>
</li>
<li class="cat-item cat-item-363"><a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/special-events/">Special Events (1)</a>
</li>
<li class="cat-item cat-item-1085"><a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/ssi/">SSI (93)</a>
</li>
<li class="cat-item cat-item-8"><a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/survivors/">Survivors (48)</a>
</li>
<li class="cat-item cat-item-9"><a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/taxes/">Taxes (20)</a>
</li>
</ul>
</div><div id="materiell_archives-2" class="widget widget_archive"><h4 class="widgettitle">Archives</h4> <label class="screen-reader-text" for="materiell_archives-dropdown-2">Archives</label>
<select id="materiell_archives-dropdown-2" name="archive-dropdown">
<option value="">Select Month</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2025/03/'> March 2025 &nbsp;(6)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2025/02/'> February 2025 &nbsp;(7)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2025/01/'> January 2025 &nbsp;(5)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2024/12/'> December 2024 &nbsp;(7)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2024/11/'> November 2024 &nbsp;(4)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2024/10/'> October 2024 &nbsp;(6)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2024/09/'> September 2024 &nbsp;(7)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2024/08/'> August 2024 &nbsp;(9)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2024/07/'> July 2024 &nbsp;(8)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2024/06/'> June 2024 &nbsp;(2)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2024/05/'> May 2024 &nbsp;(7)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2024/04/'> April 2024 &nbsp;(7)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2024/03/'> March 2024 &nbsp;(8)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2024/02/'> February 2024 &nbsp;(4)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2024/01/'> January 2024 &nbsp;(3)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2023/12/'> December 2023 &nbsp;(4)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2023/11/'> November 2023 &nbsp;(4)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2023/10/'> October 2023 &nbsp;(4)</option>
<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>
</select>
<p></p>
<a class="btn px3" id="activate_materiell_archives-dropdown-2" href="#">Go</a>
<p></p>
<script type="text/javascript">
/* <![CDATA[ */
(function() {
var activate_dropdown = document.getElementById( "activate_materiell_archives-dropdown-2" );
function onActivateDropdown() {
var dropdown = document.getElementById( "materiell_archives-dropdown-2" );
if ( dropdown.options[ dropdown.selectedIndex ].value !== '' ) {
document.location.href = dropdown.options[ dropdown.selectedIndex ].value;
}
}
activate_dropdown.onclick = onActivateDropdown;
})();
/* ]]> */
</script>
</div> </aside>
</section>
</main>
<footer class="bg-gray-100 fs1 print-dn pb0" id="footer" role="contentinfo">
<div class="wrapper">
<div class="grid pt3">
<div class="cell w-100 m-w-60 mb3">
<h3 class="fs3 mb1">Getting Started</h3>
<div class="footer-menu"><ul id="menu-footer-menu" class="menu"><li id="menu-item-5129" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-5129"><a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/comment-policy/">Comment Policy</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-8273" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-8273"><a href="https://www.ssa.gov/accessibility/">Accessibility Support</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-8274" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-8274"><a href="https://www.ssa.gov/agency/privacy.html">Privacy Policy</a></li>
</ul></div> </div>
<div class="cell w-100 m-w-40">
<h3 class="fs3 mb1">Sign Up for Newsletter</h3>
<form id="GD-snippet-form"
action="https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USSSA/subscribers/qualify"
accept-charset="UTF-8"
method="post">
<input name="utf8" type="hidden" value="&#x2713;"/>
<input type="hidden" name="topic_id" id="topic_id" value="USSSA_136"/>
<label class="fs1" for="email_footer">Enter Your Email Address to Subscribe</label>
<input name="email" id="email_footer" type="email" placeholder="name@email.com">
<input class="mb4 m-mb4 px3" type="submit" name="commit" value="Sign Up">
</form>
</div>
</div>
<div class="grid bt bc-blue pt4">
<div class="cell w-100 l-w-60">
<div class="fx fx-ac-c fs2 fw4 ma0 mb3">
<div class="footer-logo" role="presentation"></div>
<p class="pl2 gray fs1 pt2 pr4"><span class="fs3 fw5 ssa" style="line-height: 1; color: #222 !important;">Social Security Administration</span><br>Our mission is to deliver Social Security services that meet the changing needs of the public.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="cell w-100 l-w-40 mb3">
<h3 class="fs3 mb2 fx">Connect with Us</h3>
<div class="fx-i">
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/socialsecurity" class="mr2 social-media-item fs3 ta-c social-color-facebook hover-shadow">
<i class="mt3 pt0 m-my1 m-pt2 l-ma1 white fa fa-facebook"></i>
<span class="screen-reader-text">SSA on Facebook</span>
</a>
<a href="https://twitter.com/socialsecurity" class="mr2 social-media-item fs3 ta-c social-color-twitter hover-shadow">
<i class="mt3 pt0 m-my1 m-pt2 l-ma1 white fa fa-x-twitter">
<svg version="1.1" id="Layer_1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" x="0px" y="0px"
viewBox="0 0 512 512" style="enable-background:new 0 0 512 512;" xml:space="preserve">
<style type="text/css">
.st0{fill:#FFFFFF;}
</style>
<path class="st0" d="M389.2,48h70.6L305.6,224.2L487,464H345L233.7,318.6L106.5,464H35.8l164.9-188.5L26.8,48h145.6l100.5,132.9
L389.2,48z M364.4,421.8h39.1L151.1,88h-42L364.4,421.8z"/>
</svg>
</i>
<span class="screen-reader-text">SSA on X</span>
</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/socialsecurityonline" class="mr2 social-media-item fs3 ta-c social-color-youtube hover-shadow">
<i class="mt3 pt0 m-my1 m-pt2 l-ma1 white fa fa-youtube"></i>
<span class="screen-reader-text">SSA on Youtube</span>
</a>
<a href="http://instagram.com/socialsecurity" class="mr2 social-media-item fs3 ta-c social-color-instagram hover-shadow">
<i class="mt3 pt0 m-my1 m-pt2 l-ma1 white fa fa-instagram"></i>
<span class="screen-reader-text">SSA on Instagram</span>
</a>
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com" class="mr2 social-media-item fs3 ta-c social-color-linkedin hover-shadow">
<i class="mt3 pt0 m-my1 m-pt2 l-ma1 white fa fa-linkedin"></i>
<span class="screen-reader-text">SSA on Linkedin</span>
</a>
<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/SocialSecurityMatters" class="mr2 social-media-item fs3 ta-c social-color-rss hover-shadow" style="display: none">
<i class="mt3 pt0 m-my1 m-pt2 l-ma1 white fa fa-rss"></i>
<span class="screen-reader-text">SSA RSS Link</span>
</a>
</div>
<div class="mt2">
<a href="https://www.ssa.gov/agency/disclaimer.html">About External Websites</a>
</div>
</div>
<div class="cell w-100 ta-l ae-exclude mt2 pb0">
<p><em>This website is produced and published at U.S. taxpayer expense.</em></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</footer>
<script type="text/javascript" id="ppress-frontend-script-js-extra">
/* <![CDATA[ */
var pp_ajax_form = {"ajaxurl":"https:\/\/blog.ssa.gov\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php","confirm_delete":"Are you sure?","deleting_text":"Deleting...","deleting_error":"An error occurred. Please try again.","nonce":"2cf78a193a","disable_ajax_form":"false","is_checkout":"0","is_checkout_tax_enabled":"0","is_checkout_autoscroll_enabled":"true"};
/* ]]> */
</script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/plugins/wp-user-avatar/assets/js/frontend.min.js?ver=4.15.22" id="ppress-frontend-script-js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" id="daexthefu-main-js-before">
/* <![CDATA[ */
window.DAEXTHEFU_PHPDATA = {"ajaxUrl":"https:\/\/blog.ssa.gov\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php","nonce":"566f9facbd","uniqueSubmission":3,"cookieExpiration":3153600000,"commentForm":3,"textareaCharacters":400,"textareaLabelPositiveFeedback":"","textareaLabelNegativeFeedback":""}
/* ]]> */
</script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/plugins/daext-helpful/public/assets/js/main.js?ver=1.13" id="daexthefu-main-js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/themes/firefly/assets/scripts/theme-scripts.js?ver=1737042641" id="site-js-js"></script>
<!-- GovDelivery Subscription Overlay -->
<script src='https://content.govdelivery.com/overlay/js/6209.js'></script>
<!-- End GovDelivery Overlay -->
</body>
</html>